Col de Prat-de-Bouc

Col de Prat-de-Bouc
The Col de Prat-de-Bouc.
Elevation1,392 m (4,567 ft)
Traversed byD39
LocationCantal, France
RangeMounts of Cantal (Massif Central)
Coordinates45°03′11″N 02°47′37″E / 45.05306°N 2.79361°E / 45.05306; 2.79361
Prat-de-Bouc is located in France
Prat-de-Bouc
Prat-de-Bouc

The Col de Prat-de-Bouc is a mountain pass at an altitude of 1,392 meters located in the Mounts of Cantal, in the department of the same name, within the Massif Central. It is situated east of the Plomb du Cantal. At the foot of the pass lies the Lioran resort and the Prat de Bouc - Haute Planèze Nordic area.

Geography

The pass can be crossed by two slopes:[1]

  • from the south, coming from Paulhac (via the hamlet of Bélinay) or from Cézens (via the hamlet of la Sagnette) or from Brezons passing through the Col de la Griffoul;
  • from the north, coming from Murat and Albepierre-Bredons.

Activities

Winter Sports

The Col de Prat-de-Bouc serves as one of the gateways to the Lioran ski resort. It has its own ski lifts for alpine skiing: 1 chairlift and 5 ski tows for 14 slopes, providing access to the Plomb du Cantal and the rest of the Lioran resort.[2]

It is part of the Prat de Bouc - Haute Planèze cross-country skiing area.[3]

Hiking

Prat-de-Bouc is the starting point for numerous hiking opportunities: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ski touring, and trail running.[4][5]

Rock

Climbing Several climbing routes are available at the Prés Marty rock, the Mouflon rock, the Montagnard rock, and the Chamalière rocks.[6]

Birdwatching

The Col de Prat-de-Bouc is a key site for bird migration in Auvergne.[7] Thousands of birds fly over it in the autumn. 163 bird species have been observed there since 1972. It is a Community Interest Area for birds and a Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique.[8]

Tour de France

It has been crossed 3 times by the Tour de France. It is classified as a Category 2 climb. Here are the riders who have been the first to reach the summit:[9]

Year Stage Category Start Finish Leader at the summit
2011 9 2 Issoire Saint-Flour  Johnny Hoogerland (NED)
2004 10 2 Limoges Saint-Flour  Richard Virenque (FRA)
1975 13 2 Albi Super-Lioran  Eddy Merckx (BEL)

References

  1. ^ IGN maps available on Géoportail
  2. ^ "Ski alpin". Domaine nordique de Prat de Bouc (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  3. ^ "prat de bouc télésiège - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  4. ^ "Balades et randonnées". Domaine nordique de Prat de Bouc (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  5. ^ "Circuits VTT et VTT à assistante électrique". Domaine nordique de Prat de Bouc (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  6. ^ "Site d'escalade Prat-de-Bouc - info, topo, localisation..." climbingaway.fr. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  7. ^ David Hemery; Christine Blaize. "Migration postnuptiale des oiseaux au col de Prat de Bouc, Cantal : synthèse des années 2009, 2010 et 2012. années 2009, 2010 et 2012" (PDF).
  8. ^ "www.migraction.net". www.migraction.net. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  9. ^ "Le col du Prat de Bouc (Plomb du Cantal) dans le Tour de France". ledicodutour.com. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

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