Grande Traversée du Massif Central Gravel
Discover the Massif Central: the mountains and lakes of Morvan, the volcanoes of Auvergne, the Cévennes National Park, the immense plateaus of the Grands Causses, and then the beaches of the Mediterranean sea! A real adventure on paths, trails and unfrequented roads, to share with friends, family or solo! Here you'll find all the information you need to embark on this unforgettable adventure.
Please note that bypasses are not signposted, so make sure you have a gpx track.
Elevation of the route
France's largest mountain bike itinerary now adapted for gravel riding
All you need to know about the Grande Traversée du Massif Central:
- 1430 km from the Morvan to the Mediterranean
- 5 natural parks crossed
- 30,000 meters of vertical ascent
- Numerous entry and exit points along the route
- A 100% gravel-compatible route
A less technical version of the MTB route
At the request of mountain bikers, a diagnosis of the gravel-accessibility of the MTB route was undertaken. Based on this data, variants have been proposed to get around all the technical difficulties of the route, while staying as close as possible to the MTB route in order to take advantage of the services available around it.
As the suggested bypasses are not signposted, we strongly advise you to have the GPX track on your GPS or mobile phone to help you find your way around and enjoy the scenery.
While technical difficulties are avoided, the gradient remains substantial. The GTMC Gravel is a sporty route, which everyone can complete at their own pace.
Avallon / Quarré-les-Tombes
The Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) Gravel route begins at Avallon, at the northern end of the Parc du [...]
Quarré-les-Tombes / Saulieu
Once you’ve taken a good look at the 112 stone sarcophagi scattered around Quarré-les-Tombes Church, the GTMC Gravel [...]
Saulieu / Montsauche-les-Settons
At the start of this stage, you’re plunged back to the start of the 20th century, the gravel route following the [...]
Montsauche-les-Settons / Anost
The natural scenery changes on this stage of the GTMC Gravel as you pick up altitude. All along the way, enjoy the [...]
Anost / La Grande-Verrière
On this stage, cyclists follow in the footsteps of ‘galvachers’ – in the 19th century, these small-scale [...]
La Grande-Verrière / Toulon-sur-Arroux
This stage marks the end of the Morvan section of the GTMC. You leave behind the fairly elevated slopes of the Morvan [...]
Toulon-sur-Arroux / Bourbon-Lancy
The GTMC Gravel here alternates between stretches on paths and on quiet country roads. There are many points from which [...]
Bourbon-Lancy / Moulins
This GTMC Gravel stage between the towns of Bourbon-Lancy and Moulins takes you into the French county of Allier, [...]
Moulins / Chantelle
This undulating GTMC Gravel stage presents cyclists with a variety of landscapes and atmospheres, plus you’re [...]
Chantelle / Riom
Continuing along the GTMC Gravel 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 of the GTMC cycle route alternates between stretches on roads with motorized traffic and playful tracks [...]
Laschamps / Murol
This GTMC stage guides you gradually into the Massif du Sancy, another magnificent mountain range. Pause to 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 [...]
Ruynes-en-Margeride / Domaine du Sauvage
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 wider Margeride area riding through wooded parts, although you can enjoy, from certain stretches [...]
Baraque des Bouviers / Bagnols-les-Bains
The GTMC Gravel leads you up to the Col des Trois Soeurs pass, after which you can enjoy the lovely descent to reach [...]
Bagnols-les-Bains / Le Pont-de-Montvert
Well-maintained tracks take riders on the GTMC cycle route up to the summits of the mighty Mont Lozère, surrounded by [...]
Le Pont-de-Montvert / Sainte-Enimie
This GTMC stage starts with a dramatic, narrow ascent, with views down on the Tarn Gorges. You’re heading up to one [...]
Sainte-Enimie / L'Hom
Gravel bikers continue along the GTMC cycle route by riding along a main county road up to the Col de Coperlac pass, [...]
L'Hom / L'Esperou
The GTMC cycle route leaves the Causses behind as you enter the Massif de l'Aigoual mountain range. At the Col de [...]
L'Esperou / Le Vigan
This GTMC en Gravel stage is quite a bit longer than the GTMC VTT mountain-biking stage. That’s because the terrain [...]
Le Vigan / Blandas
This beautiful stage is steep and challenging, guiding you through a mix of forests and the typical open landscapes of [...]
Blandas / La Couvertoirade
Linking Blandas, Vissec and Alzon, the Vis Valley was once an important way, in centuries past. Here, where three [...]
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 Gravel route offers some nice surprises. The first part of this stage is enjoyable as well [...]
Travellers’ reviews