Our take
Pedalling along the rails of a former railway line through the Cézallier landscapes. Ideal for families, not very tiring.
A pedal-powered rail bike on the old Cézallier line, between summer pastures and forests, starting from Landeyrat station.
The Cézallier is that big volcanic plateau between the Cantal and the Puy-de-Dôme: summer pastures as far as the eye can see, burons (old stone huts), a horizon that never ends. The rail bike follows an old railway line that used to cross it. You pedal on it, at rail level, with not a car around.
From Landeyrat station (at around 1,085 m), several routes share the line. The shortest runs 3 km to the Veyrines waterfall. The moderately tough one goes on to 7.5 km, to the Saint-Saturnin viaduct, and the long circuit stretches to 11.5 km, to the Suc du chien panorama, above Lugarde. Each rail bike carries 4 to 5 people (up to 2 adults and 3 children), in classic or electric-assist versions for the climbs.
On the budget side, allow €36 to €100 per rail bike depending on the route (price per vehicle, not per person), duo offer from €26. Booking by phone. Open Friday to Sunday from May to early November (All Saints'), and every day in July and August.
Our take, frankly: it's the family activity on the plateau. Not very tiring with electric assist, zero screens, the children keep up and you watch the Cézallier go by.
Why we love it
- The Cézallier summer pastures rolling past at the pace of your pedalling
- The volcanic plateau at rail level, without a car in sight
- The Veyrines waterfall at the end of the shortest route
- The Saint-Saturnin viaduct, end of the 7.5 km circuit
Top tip
Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Bring water and a hat (little shade). Combine it with a visit to Allanche.
Before you go
- Booking by phone is compulsory, especially in July and August.
- Open Friday to Sunday from May to early November (All Saints'), and every day in July and August.
- Choose the electric version with young children or if the way back climbs.
- Water and a hat are essential: the plateau offers little shade.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
10°/2°
1 mm · 36 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/2°
dry · 15 km/h
Tue 27
18°/8°
dry · 20 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Gare de Landeyrat Marcenat, 15160 Landeyrat, France
15160 Landeyrat - MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
- Friday8h–20h
- Saturday8h–20h
- Today8h–20h
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Around Vélorail du Cézallier
2 spots in and around Landeyrat, enough to build your day.
Worth seeing nearby
Cascade des Veyrines
4.7Landeyrat · 2.7 km away
Réserve naturelle régionale des tourbières du Jolan et de la Gazelle
4.8Ségur-les-Villas · 6.9 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On footFrom Allanche to Marcenat (stage 6 of the Tour des Vaches Rouges)
Start: Parking place du Cézallier à Allanche
- 21.7 km
- +553 m
- 6 h 15 min
On footHikes around Vélorail du Cézallier
On footFrom Allanche to Marcenat (stage 6 of the Tour des Vaches Rouges)
Start: Parking place du Cézallier à Allanche
- 21.7 km
- +553 m
- 6 h 15 min
On foot
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