Three activity departure bases have just been set up: La Verrerie in Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs, Le Vernet and Châtel-Montagne. Accessible by reservation, they are the entry point for numerous mountain bike, trail, hiking and orienteering routes.
On site, sports enthusiasts have access to changing rooms equipped with lockers, showers and WCs. There is also an outdoor bike-washing area. Accessible by reservation 72 hours in advance, the three departure bases are easy to reach and simple to use. Sports enthusiasts fill in a form on the Vichy Communauté website (in the outdoor activities section) and receive a code by SMS to access the changing rooms. The code is valid only on the day of booking.
Advantages :
- Accessible at all times
- Free service
Link to reservation form: https://www.vichy-communaute.fr/bases-de-depart-dactivite-de-pleine-nature/
The site, located behind the village church, is close to the Tourist Office, which offers electric and classic mountain bikes for hire.
It is the starting point for 11 routes:
- 5 mountain bike trails (n°90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
- 3 trail routes (n°13, 38, 85)
- 3 hiking trails (PR22, PR23, PR24) and the Via Sancti Martini.
The Châtel-Montagne base is equipped with a men's changing room of almost 10 m2 and a women's changing room of the same size, as well as a WC. Each changing room is equipped with a shower, washbasin, benches and lockers.
The Châtel-Montagne base is part of the "Espace VTT Destination Grand Air", which is the largest FFC-certified mountain-biking area in France:
- Espace VTT Vichy Montagne Bourbonnaise,
- Espace VTT Massif des Bois Noirs,
- Espace VTT Ambert-Crêtes du Forez.
- Espace VTT Montagne et Plaine en Roannais
All courses are FFC-certified.
Periode d‘ouverture : Ouvert toute l‘année
All year round.
