The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike
Elevation of the route
Waytypes of the cycle route
Surface of the cycle route
Avallon / Quarré-les-Tombes
The Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) mountain bike route begins at Avallon, at the northern end of the Parc [...]
Quarré-les-Tombes / Saulieu
Once you’ve taken a good look at the 112 stone sarcophagi scattered around Quarré-les-Tombes Church, the GTMC leads [...]
Saulieu / Montsauche-les-Settons
At the start of this stage, you’re plunged back to the start of the 20th century, the mountain-bike route following [...]
Montsauche-les-Settons / Anost
The natural scenery changes on this stage of the GTMC à VTT as you pick up altitude. All along the way, enjoy the [...]
Anost / La Grande-Verrière
On this stage, mountain bikers follow in the footsteps of ‘galvachers’ – in the 19th century, these small-scale [...]
Link Château-Chinon
The start of this GTMC à VTT linking stage lies very close to the Musée du Septennat, which displays the gifts [...]
La Grande-Verrière / Toulon-sur-Arroux
This stage marks the end of the Grande Traversée du Morvan à VTT. You leave behind the fairly elevated slopes of the [...]
Toulon-sur-Arroux / Bourbon-Lancy
This alternative stage takes you rapidly to Mont Beuvray Hill, site of a famed Gaulish fortified town called Bibracte, [...]
Toulon-sur-Arroux / Bourbon-Lancy
The GTMC by mountain bike here alternates between stretches on paths and on quiet country roads. There are many points [...]
Bourbon-Lancy / Moulins
This GTMC by mountain bike stage between the towns of Bourbon-Lancy and Moulins takes you into the French county of [...]
Moulins / Chantelle
This undulating GTMC à VTT stage presents cyclists with a variety of landscapes and atmospheres, plus you’re [...]
Chantelle / Riom
Continuing along the GTMC à VTT from Chantelle to Riom, the volcanic range of the Chaîne des Puys stands temptingly [...]
Riom / Clermont-Ferrand
Having crossed the village of Marsat, you enter a wonderful stretch of countryside. As you head up into the hills, [...]
Clermont-Ferrand / Volvic
Historic Clermont-Ferrand was formerly the starting point for the original GTMC mountain bike route. From town, you [...]
Volvic / Laschamps
This stage takes you along highly enjoyable stretches, through a series of charming villages and landscapes, leading [...]
Saint-Genès-Champanelle / Murol
After Laschamps, the GTMC by mountain bike leads you along splendid paths up to Orcival via Recoleine. Visit the [...]
Murol / Saint-Alyre-ès-Montagne
The views along this stage are magnificent, while the atmosphere changes dramatically along the way. After admiring the [...]
Saint-Alyre-ès-Montagne / Chalinargues
Leaving Jassy, the GTMC leads you up to the Col du Mont Chamaroux pass, then this pastoral track takes you to the [...]
Chalinargues / Ruynes-en-Margeride
From Chalinargues, the GTMC route heads down to Neussargues, for a short stretch taking you along a singletrack that is [...]
Alternative: Chalinargues / Coltines (via Le Lioran)
From Chalinargues, this alternative stage of the GTMC takes you down to Murat via Chavagnac Wood and the Chastel [...]
Ruynes-en-Margeride / Chanaleilles
After Ruynes en Margeride, tackle the slopes up to Trailus. After that, you have to climb to the Col du Signal. The [...]
Domaine du Sauvage / Baraque des Bouviers
Continue across the Margeride area on the GTMC, going through wooded parts, but from the patches of meadows you can [...]
Link Langeac / Saugues
This GTMC link starts on the banks of the Allier River, then leads you gradually towards the legend-filled Gévaudan [...]
Link Saint-Chély-d'Apcher / Baraque des Bouviers
Two highlights to signal on this GTMC link, offering good cycling and a succession of elevations to tackle. The first [...]
Baraque des Bouviers / Bagnols-les-Bains
The GTMC by mountain bike leads you up to the Col des Trois Soeurs pass, after which you can enjoy the lovely descent [...]
Bagnols-les-Bains / Le Pont-de-Montvert
Well-maintained GTMC tracks take you up to the summits of the mighty Mont Lozère, surrounded by high summer pastures [...]
Le Pont-de-Montvert / Sainte-Enimie
This GTMC by mountain bike stage starts with a narrow ascent, accompanied by views down on the dramatic Gorges du Tarn. [...]
Sainte-Enimie / Fraissinet-de-Fourques
Continue cycling beside the Tarn using a track that is in parts perched quite high and technically demanding (see [...]
L'Hom / L'Esperou
The GTMC leaves behind the Causse as you enter the Aigoual Range. At the Col de Perjuret, take in the breath-taking [...]
L'Esperou / Le Vigan
You’re greeted by a lot of elevations as the GTMC à VTT enters the French county of Gard. At least with the 1,000m [...]
Le Vigan / Blandas
After Le Vigan, the first part of this GTMC à VTT stage takes you through forests. Reaching Montdardier, the landscape [...]
Blandas / La Couvertoirade
Linking Blandas, Vissec and Alzon, the Vis Valley was once an important way, in centuries past. Here, where three [...]
Link Millau / La Couvertoirade
The historic town of Millau, at the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, serves as the departure [...]
La Couvertoirade / Lunas
Leaving the Larzac behind, the GTMC takes you into the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc. The village of Le [...]
Lunas / Clermont-l'Hérault
After Lunas, the GTMC route leads you into clearly Mediterranean terrain. The hilly way here allows riders to make the [...]
Clermont-l'Hérault / Montagnac
On this last really sporty stage of the GTMC, you go slaloming along alternating tracks and paths taking you down the [...]
Montagnac / Agde
The final stage on the GTMC à VTT route offers some nice surprises. The first part of this stage is enjoyable as well [...]
Travellers’ reviews