Blandas / La Couvertoirade The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike

The route

Go down to the Belvédère de Blandas to admire the view of the tremendous Cirque de Navacelles meander. Then follow the Vis Gorges as far as Vissec. Next, prepare for a 2km-climb along a stony path. The view across the Causse de Campestre makes it all worthwhile. Descend via a lightly wooded stretch to the village of Alzon, then make for the Col de la Barrière. It’s at this point that you leave behind the county of Gard. The first tracks through the county of Aveyron prove easy. Past the village of Sauclières, following a former railway track with more of a slope than might appear, you reach Le Larzac, with its rocky landscape. There’s just a short, steep section that may make you strain. Once on the Larzac Plateau, the broad paths and technical singletracks are a joy for mountain bikers. Take care crossing the cattle grids and ‘natural’ steps that require good bike control.