Ever higher, ever more beautiful. Cycling starts on the pretty D509 along the banks of the Lot as far as Pomayrols. From there, it's a seemingly endless climb through the green twists and turns of a wild chestnut grove to the approach of Saint-Laurent-d'Olt. The route is refreshed by the "boraldes", the powerful streams that flow down from the Monts d'Aubrac. The end of the stage is more leisurely, leading to the gateway to Lozère, to La Canourgue, the "little Venice of Lozère". Welcome to Lozère, the highest department on the route and the least populated in France. What a promise! The route to Mont Lozère is currently being defined.
The cycle route
Signposted La vallée du Lot à vélo (V 86).
D509 left-bank road from Saint-Geniez-d'Olt to Pomeyrols, then right-bank road to Saint-Laurent-d'Olt, on very steep, narrow roads with very little traffic: passages with gradients > 8%, then a 5 km climb to the Falguières sector, offering superb views of the Monts de Lozère. D 988 from Saint-Laurent-d'Olt to Banassac with relatively heavy traffic and commercial vehicles. Safe road under construction. From Banassac to La Canourgue, low-traffic lanes or rustic greenway along the D 988.
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
