Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike

Official mountain bike route

Alexandre MONCORGE

Panorama sur la Grande Traversée du Rhône

One way

Mountain bike

230 km

1 week or more

I cycle a lot

Lancié

Condrieu

In the vineyards

Mountains

An off-road cycle route from the heart of the Beaujolais to the Rhône Valley, taking in the Monts du Lyonnais and the Pays des Pierres Dorées. Over 230 kilometers, the Grande Traversée du Rhône by MTB reveals vineyards and orchards, forests and mid-range mountains along its many trails. As you ascend, you'll be treated to panoramic views of lush green landscapes, followed by descents that are both technical and rolling. Small heritage sites and charming villages will also punctuate your journey, as many places to explore as stops to rest and refuel.

Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike

Key information about the Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike :

Distance: 230 km
Maximum altitude: 860 metres
Signposting: 100% signposted route

Course difficulty

The GTR by mountain bike is made up of an alternation of trails, paths and roads that are fairly accessible to any regular mountain biker, with a few technical sections identified in the stages. The difficulty lies mainly in the high cumulative gradient of the route.

Equipment and bike

Which bike should I choose for the GTR MTB? As its name suggests, this route is off-road and technical on certain sections, so a mountain bike is required (the route is not suitable for gravel bikes!).
What equipment should I choose? Light, optimized "bikepacking" equipment is recommended to minimize your effort.

The Grande Traversée du Rhône VTT has been certified "Grande Traversée VTT®" by the French Cycling Federation.

Gradients and elevation

Ascents: 5859m

Descents: 5906m

Lowest point: 143m

Highest point: 860m

Trains and transport on the route

Stations at the start and finish of the route enable you to take your bike directly from Lyon or Valence by TER.

How do I get to the starting point?

Romanèche-Thorins station (start of the route): Valence - Mâcon line
Direct from: Lyon (40 min), Valence (2h), Mâcon (15 min)

How do I get back from the finish point?

Saint-Clair-les-Roches station (1km from the finish): Valence - Mâcon line
Direct to: Lyon (30 min), Valence (40 min), Mâcon (1h30)

Other stations along the route:

Lamure sur Azergues, Amplepuis, Legny, Chessy, Sain-Bel

"Accueil Vélo" accommodation on Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike

10 Accueil Vélo accommodations await you on Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike!

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The 12 stages of Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike

1 Lancié / Régnié-Durette

18 km

1 h 11 min

I cycle often

The first stage of this Grande Traversée du Rhône à VTT in the heart of the Beaujolais region, and already the first climbs to get into the swing of things. From the outset, mountain bikers will be immersed in the atmosphere of the vineyards and enter the realm of wine-growing terroirs with charming, renowned crus: Morgon, Régnié and many more to come...

2 Régnié-Durette / Le Perréon

17 km

1 h 09 min

I cycle a lot

The mountain bike route continues through the vineyards, and once you've reached Saint-Lager, you'll gain altitude to take in Mont Brouilly and its wine-growing hillsides. Then it's on steep, steady trails that you'll climb over the Beaujolais moors, before descending to Le Perréon, the finishing village of the stage.

3 Le Perréon / Grandris

17 km

1 h 06 min

I cycle a lot

Short but steady, this stage of the GTR by mountain bike, lightened by descents and restorative flats, reaches the Col de la Croix de Montmain. You leave the vineyards behind and enter the Pyramide forest. The descent after the pass offers fine views. After a short effort, you reach the village of Grandris, where you can enjoy the panoramic views from the top of the village.

4 Grandris / Col de la Croix de l'Orme

21 km

1 h 25 min

I cycle a lot

You'll discover the green Beaujolais on trails surrounded by douglas firs, the tall pines that populate the region, before crossing the Grandes Mollières and climbing up to their eponymous "Seuil". On the way back down, Lac des Sapins gradually takes shape in front of you. After enjoying this haven of nature, head for the Col de la Croix de l'Orme via an ascent through the beautiful Saint-Appolinaire forest.

5 Col de la Croix de l'Orme / Oingt

23 km

1 h 33 min

I cycle a lot

From the forest of Saint-Just-d'Avray to the first villages of the Pierres dorées, the route offers a succession of forest atmospheres, vast horizons after the Croix de Chal, and beautiful views of the Monts d'Or and the Matagrin tower. Fast descents on trails, peaceful forest paths in the rich Brou Massif and physical climbs in southern Beaujolais make up the adventure terrain of this stage of the Grande Traversée du Rhône VTT.

6 Oingt / L'Arbresle

26 km

1 h 43 min

I cycle often

A mountain bike stage of gentle climbs followed by pleasant descents, as you discover the villages of the Pierres Dorées region. Superb panorama at the Col du Bansillon and view of the Monts d'Or before Bully. Ride on and enjoy this wonderful glimpse of the rich landscapes of southern Beaujolais!

7 L'Arbresle / Le Martinet

13 km

52 min

I cycle often

A distinctive landscape, with wide-open views over the undulating vineyards and beautiful vistas of the Monts d'Or and Monts du Lyonnais, the mountain biker will find himself on the heights of Savigny in a landscape of orchards, chestnut trees and vines. You're pedaling through the land of the Coteaux du Lyonnais. Open your eyes, breathe and enjoy!

8 Le Martinet / Yzeron

15 km

1 h 00 min

I cycle a lot

Certainly one of the most beautiful sections of the Grande Traversée du Rhône VTT, but not the easiest! After a long ascent to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid and a triumphant passage through the undergrowth, you reach the Crêt du Châtelard after a final effort. After this, the difficulties are behind you, and all you have to do is enjoy the panoramic views over Lyon, Pilat and the Alps, and the balcony path with its beautiful boulders to reach the charming town of Yzeron.

9 Yzeron / St-André-la-Côte

15 km

1 h 00 min

I cycle a lot

Under the Bois de Lienne, a former hideout of maquisards during the last world war, pedal up to the medieval village of Rochefort, amidst the orchards, crops and livestock of the Monts du Lyonnais. The climbs can be tough, but there's no shortage of views over the Lyonnais basin. If you're brave enough, climb up to the Signal antenna. Your effort will be rewarded by the panoramic view.

10 St-André-la-Côte / St-Maurice-sur-Dargoire

16 km

1 h 03 min

I cycle often

From the heights of Saint-André-la-Côte, pedal along deciduous woodland trails, small roads and rolling lanes, amid a rural backdrop of farm hamlets. After the village of Riverie, situated on a rocky spur overlooking the Rhône valley and the Mornant plateau, plunge into the trails of the Espace Naturel Sensible de la vallée du Bozançon, enjoying views of the Pilat massif and the Monts du Lyonnais.

11 St-Maurice-sur-Dargoire / Croix Régis

29 km

1 h 55 min

I cycle a lot

Technical and chaotic descents on rocky slabs, climbs on stony paths... there's no respite on this long mountain bike trail that takes you into the Pilat Regional Nature Park after crossing the Gier valley. A feast for the eyes, perhaps less so for the legs!

12 Croix Régis / Condrieu

16 km

1 h 04 min

I cycle often

A downhill profile for this final off-road stage, overlooking the Rhône valley, under the eye of the Oeillon, between green hills, deciduous forests and orchards. Unleash your pedal power and reach the finish of the Grande Traversée du Rhône VTT in the vineyards of Condrieu via the legendary Jean-Jacques Rousseau trail and the banks of the Rhône.

Grande Traversée du Rhône by mountain bike

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