 | The Le Lioran ski area in the Monts du Cantal <click to enlarge> |
Monts du Cantal
6086 ft (1855 m) . |
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| Major Peaks: |
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| Location: | Massif Central, Auvergne, central France | ||||||
| Lat / Long: | 45.1° N, 2.4° E | ||||||
| Volcanic Type: | Eroded stratovolcano | ||||||
| Volcanic Status: | Extinct | ||||||
| First Ascent: | Prehistoric | ||||||
| First Ski Descent: | |||||||
| Skiable Vertical: | about 2000 ft (600 m) | ||||||
| Lift Served Vertical: | 2000 ft (600 m) at Le Lioran Ski Area | ||||||
| The Monts du Cantal is the oldest and largest of the major volcanic centers of the Massif Central in Auvergne, and the largest volcano by area in Europe. Eruptive activity at Cantal ceased several million years ago, and since then erosion has carved deeply into all parts of the volcano. A major highway cuts through the center of the massif, with a mile-long tunnel built in the 1840's (the Tunnel du Lioran) located below the pass at the summit. The highest remaining point of the volcano, the Plomb du Cantal, is home to a major ski area on its north and west flanks, with expanded terrain and lifts now wrapping around to the east side of the peak. | |||
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Some useful links: Le Lioran Ski Area Regional Nature Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne (France's largest nature park) BRGM: Massif Central (geological information about the region) BRGM: Cantal (geological information about Cantal volcano) 200 Volcans en 200 Randonnees (extensive hiking info for the region) More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ... |
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| Topographic map of the Monts du Cantal (1:100,000 scale) from IGN Cartes Touristiques 49 <click to enlarge> |
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