CLERMONT-FERRAND & CANTAL

This section of the book is a wonderful selection of volcanic rock. The variety is stunning, as are the rock shapes, that vary from gigantic lava towers like the Dent de la Rancune, to the Bassalt of Chateauneuf-les-Bains. The hills near Vichy are referred to as Bourbonnaise Montagne, and give some excellent climbing in the lower grades. The cliffs around Mont Dore are situated at over 1000m altitude and remain cool during a hot summer - ideal. To the south of the section, there are the volcanic plugs of the Cantal. This is a very quiet area and offers some lovely smaller climbs across all grades, both at high altitude and some lower down. In the far south there is a small bouldering area of St Just, a lovely granite gem, always worth a stop for an afternoon - but does give the fingertips a bit of a scorching.

Photo: (La Dent de la Rancune; Climber: Unknown, en rappel, David Atchison-Jones

RIGHT (Puy de la Tort) 6a, Carrie Atchison-Jones