Grande Traversée du Jura mountain biking route - "GTJ VTT"
Signposting and layout of the GTJ by mountain bike
The Grande Traversée du Jura mountain biking route (or GTJ VTT in French) is signposted in both directions. The colour of the signs for the GTJ differs from that for other Grandes Traversées by MTB (in red) because the former were put in place at an earlier date than the latter.
At some of the main crossroads along the way, you’ll spot signposts. On these, the GTJ route indicators have been placed on the relevant directional arrows.
Certain portions of the route are fairly technically challenging, so somewhat easier, or ‘light’, alternatives are suggested in the accompanying Carto Guide.
Which bike to choose?
A mountain bike is the most suitable choice for this route. Really experienced cyclists could tackle it on a gravel bike. You can avoid the most challenging sections by opting for the easier, ‘light’ alternatives described in the relevant Carto Guide.
An electric mountain bike is another option to consider, with several charging points you can use inside some of the tourist offices along the route.
Best months to go
Between April and October. In June and July, you can enjoy the sight of fields of narcissi in flower.
Trains and stations serving this MTB cycle route
- Montbéliard: the station closest to the starting point at Mandeure. From here, you can cycle along the GTJ à Vélo way to get to the starting point.
On TER regional train line: Lyon - Montbéliard - Belfort - Culoz: TER station for the southern point of the cycle route
On TER regional train line Lyon - Culoz - Genève
Consult possibilities for taking your bike on trains around France.
Cycle routes that link to the Grande Traversée du Jura by mountain bike
- EuroVelo 6 from Basle to Nevers (passing via Montbéliard)
- La Grande Traversée du Jura à Vélo
- ViaRhôna from Leman lake to the Mediterranean sea passing via Lyon and Culoz
Further mountain-bike (VTT / MTB) cycle routes to discover on our website:
Mandeure / Saint-Hyppolite
Start your adventure along the Grande Traversée du Jura by mountain bike at Mandeure, a town south of larger [...]
Saint-Hyppolite / Goumois
Leaving Saint-Hippolyte, this GTJ by MTB stage starts with a long climb, following a former Roman road up to the [...]
Goumois / Fournet-Blancheroche
At Goumois, crossing the river, you enter Swiss territory. For a few kilometres, the GTJ by MTB stays in Switzerland, [...]
Fournet-Blancheroche / La Perdrix
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La Perdrix / Metabief
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Metabief / Chapelle-Des-Bois
Métabief was made for mountain biking. It was one of the first ski resorts to open its ski slopes to mountain bikes in [...]
Chapelle-Des-Bois / Lajoux
Chapelle des Bois, with its cliff, lake and peat bog, has something of a Scandinavian feel to it. Following forest [...]
Lajoux / Giron
Approaching the village of Lajoux, the crests of the Haut-Jura appear, along with an extremely beautiful view of the [...]
Giron / Les-Plans-D'hotonnes
The GTJ mountain biking route ("GTJ VTT") cycle route now leaves the Haut-Jura area as you enter the county of Ain and [...]
Les-Plans-D'hotonnes / La-Praille
You reach the heart of the Haut-Bugey here. In this remote area, the population drain has been halted by concerted [...]
La-Praille / Culoz
Make the most of this penultimate stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura by MTB to admire certain distinctive features [...]
Les-Plans-D'hotonnes / Culoz
This final stage of the Grande Traversée du Jura mountain biking route ("GTJ VTT") requires good physical fitness. The [...]
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