arrow_back

The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike

Mountains, In forest, Nature & small heritage
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

22384 m 22126 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
favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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, [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
54,91 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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

favorite_border
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 [...]

Travellers’ reviews

on The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike
Ratings from internet users (0) 0,0

They did it!

Options
Caption
Cycle path
Links
By road
Alternatives
Mountain bike itinerary
Provisional itinerary
connected route
Caption
connected route
Caption
European route (EuroVelo)
National, regional or local route
Cycling circuit
Mountainbike route
Enlarge map Reduce map