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The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike

Mountains
1 week or more
1400 Km
I cycle a lot
Avallon
Agde
The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike (GTMC) offers you a route on paths and paths of nearly 1400 km. Discover the Massif Central: the Morvan mountains and great lakes, the volcanoes of Auvergne, the Cévennes National Park, the immense plateaus of the Grands Causses before reaching the Mediterranean sea! A real mountain bike adventure on paths and trails to share with your friends, family or just alone!

Elevation of the route

26795 m 26534 m

The GTMC: France's largest mountain bike touring route

General information

All you need to know about the Grande Traversée du Massif Central:

  • 1380 km from the Morvan to the Mediterranean
  • 5 natural parks crossed
  • 30,000 meters of elevation
  • Numerous entry and exit points along the route
  • An E-MTB compatible route

Routes options for all levels 

The GTMC route has been designed to be accessible to as many people as possible:

  • Full signposting of the route from Avallon to Agde (more details)
  • Ideas for 3-day to 1-week tours along the route
  • For the more courageous: the entire route can be completed in 2 to 6 weeks.

Trains and transport on the GTMC

Getting to the start (Avallon)

  • Access to Avallon from: Paris (TER, 2h40) | Lyon (2 TER, 5h) | Dijon (2 TER, 3h)

Other main stations on the GTMC

  • Moulins: direct lines to Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Nantes, Brioude
  • Clermont-Ferrand: direct lines to Paris, Lyon, Dijon, Béziers
  • Neussargues: direct flights to Brive, Clermont-Ferrand, Béziers

Stations linked by mountain bike links:

Return from arrival (Agde) :

  • Return from Agde to: Paris (TGV, 4h - no bike place) | Valence (TGV, 1h40 - no bike place) | Toulouse (TER, 2h20)
  • Return to: Clermont-Ferrand (2 TER, 6h40) | Avallon (TGV + TER, 8h)

The GTMC has been awarded the "Grande Traversée VTT®" label by the French Cycling Federation.

Plan your trip on this cycle route
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51,71 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Avallon / Quarré-les-Tombes

The Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) mountain bike route begins at Avallon, at the northern end of the Parc [...]

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53,39 Km
In forest, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

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 [...]

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50,92 Km
In forest, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Anost / La Grande-Verrière

On this stage, mountain bikers follow in the footsteps of ‘galvachers’ – in the 19th century, these small-scale [...]

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8,31 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Link Château-Chinon

The start of this GTMC à VTT linking stage lies very close to the Musée du Septennat, which displays the gifts [...]

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40,72 Km
In forest
I cycle a lot

Connection to Autun

In the south of the Morvan Park, the Gallo-Roman city of Autun, classified as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" with its [...]

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79,22 Km
In forest, Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Bourbon-Lancy / Moulins

This GTMC by mountain bike stage between the towns of Bourbon-Lancy and Moulins takes you into the French county of [...]

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64,25 Km
In the vineyards, Canals & intimate rivers, In forest, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Moulins / Chantelle

This undulating GTMC à VTT stage presents cyclists with a variety of landscapes and atmospheres, plus you’re [...]

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57,84 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Chantelle / Riom

Continuing along the GTMC à VTT from Chantelle to Riom, the volcanic range of the Chaîne des Puys stands temptingly [...]

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26,41 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Riom / Clermont-Ferrand

Having crossed the village of Marsat, you enter a wonderful stretch of countryside. As you head up into the hills, [...]

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19,92 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Clermont-Ferrand / Volvic

Historic Clermont-Ferrand was formerly the starting point for the original GTMC mountain bike route. From town, you [...]

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36,40 Km
Mountains
I cycle a lot

Volvic / Laschamps

This stage takes you along highly enjoyable stretches, through a series of charming villages and landscapes, leading [...]

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61,22 Km
Mountains
I cycle a lot

Link Langeac / Saugues

This GTMC link starts on the banks of the Allier River, then leads you gradually towards the legend-filled Gévaudan [...]

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27,23 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

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 [...]

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37,95 Km
Canals & intimate rivers, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

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 [...]

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36,27 Km
In forest, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Le Vigan / Blandas

After Le Vigan, the first part of this GTMC à VTT stage takes you through forests. Reaching Montdardier, the landscape [...]

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38,67 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

Blandas / La Couvertoirade

Linking Blandas, Vissec and Alzon, the Vis Valley was once an important way, in centuries past. Here, where three [...]

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54,82 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

La Couvertoirade / Lunas

Leaving the Larzac behind, the GTMC takes you into the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc. The village of Le [...]

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58,43 Km
In the vineyards, Nature & small heritage
I cycle a lot

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 [...]

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58,98 Km
In the vineyards, Seaside
I cycle often

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 [...]

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