Grands Causses

Discover the gravel riding heaven that it is Les Grands Causses regional park with us, all from our Base Camp in Millau. Perfect for seeing for yourself what gravel riding is all about (its not just gravel tracks !) and explore this beautiful area of France.

HURRY UP!

Join a group of 8 to 12 people to live a unique experience. Bring your bike or rent ours (extra charge). Electric gravel bikes available too.

Don't have a gravel bike yet or don't want to travel with one? You can rent one directly from us:

  • 180 euros for a muscular gravel bike

  • 240 euros for an electric gravel bike

Possibility to privatise the group from 8 people - contact us for more information.

Download our catalogue HERE to know all our offers

One Percent for the Planet

By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!

A program 100% created by Gravel Up

Go on a Gravel bike adventure in the heart of the Grands Causses Natural Park, in the footsteps of the Templars.

During an extended weekend, we welcome you in Aveyron, in Millau to be exact, crossroads of the Black Causses, Larzac, Méjean and other Rougiers of Camarès.

Come and discover these great spaces reminding us of the most beautiful American Midwest national parks.

A first ride as soon as you arrive will allow you to familiarize yourself with your new "gravel" companion in the presence of the guide and his wise advice. Origine cycles gravel bikes are made in France and perfectly adapted to the terrain that awaits you during these 3 days.

You will start this adventure by the mythical Causse du Larzac and its sheep farms ! Meadows as far as the eye can see, a harsh climate sometimes but above all a feeling of total freedom. Our hosts will have in heart to make you discover the history, the culture and the gastronomy of which they are so proud... 

You will finally follow the valley of the Tarn to tackle the Causse Noir and its typical forests. The hardest part is to get there, but once you reach the plateau, you will be guided on the forest tracks and other gravel roads. To accompany you in this long journey, your guide but also innkeepers and other local craftsmen will be very proud to make you discover their region.

Let yourself go by taking advantage of moments of well-being - yoga, meditation, relaxation - allowing you to disconnect, better reconnect and make the most of this unique experience in a splendid setting.

Experience the warmth of Aveyron and the sense of welcome during this human adventure off the beaten track!

Date range:
April - october 2023
Duration:
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Daily distance:
40 - 60 km
Daily elevation:
500 - 1000 M+
Difficulty:
2 / 10

Gravel Up benefits

This is included

At the camp

  • Return transfer from Montpellier train station
  • All food for the stay
  • Accommodation 2 nights - single room in a shared cottage for 2 persons
  • A great welcome pack
  • A mechanic who will share his secrets with you

On gravel

  • A professional and local guide
  • Unique tracks designed by the GravelUp Team
  • Assistance and transportation van

Beyond gravel

  • Wellness activities - Yoga, meditation, relaxation
  • Visits to various historical and cultural sites
  • An evening of celebration
  • A community of enthusiasts

This is not included

  • Transportation from your home
  • Travel insurance for repatriation and civil liability
  • Personal drinks and other souvenir purchases
  • Anything not specified in "What's Included"
  • Gravel bike rental (supplement available)

Preparation & equipment

Guide

We select for you local guides, passionate about their territory.

Bike mechanic, bike shop manager and even eco-guard on the Larzac plateau, our guide is the best person to help you discover Grands Causses. Anecdotes, encounters and sharing of experiences, he/she will make sure that you have an unforgettable stay and above all that you soak up as much as possible of this fabulous territory.

Spoken languages: French, English

State certified for bike guiding (BPJEPS), he/she will make sure you are safe and will share with you various tips and tricks on how to ride the Larzac or Causse Noir trails.

Gravel Bike

In this destination, you will be able to ride the SUB Gravel from our partner brand Wish One.

The Wish One SUB is the brands first Sport Utility Bicycle. That’s a gravel bike to you and me. But it’s a moniker that we think covers the gravel bike genre better than ‘Gravel Bike’. No matter where you ride, perfect asphalted roads, smooth or dirty roads, gravel sections… the Wish One SUB is developed for ultimate performance.

Handmade in France by Cyfac International using lightweight Columbus HSS Spirit tubing, the Race Type Geometry of the SUB claims to deliver quick and direct handling. It is no relaxed and slack angled gravel cruiser, the SUB is a scalpel sharp race machine designed for dropping lap times and opponents.

eGravel bike

On this destination you will be able to ride the eGravel HELP from the French brand Origine.

The Help is one of the most sporty and lightweight electric Gravel bikes that exists. It is the ideal bike for your off-road adventures, with a reduced weight that allows for transport in any circumstance. This bike retains the dynamic qualities of a muscular gravel, with its battery incorporated inside the diagonal tube for a total weight of only 12 kilograms.

Price of the rental on this trip: 140 euros to be paid at the time of online booking).

Discover Origine Cycles

Physical preparation

The territories we cross offer an environment that can sometimes be demanding depending on the weather conditions. We evolve in a mountainous landscape where the cumulative difference in altitude can quickly be important.

To fully enjoy this expedition, we recommend that you practice an endurance sport such as jogging, swimming or cycling, at least once a week. Having already done at least 3 hours of cycling will allow you to feel more comfortable and to better enjoy the breathtaking landscapes you will cross.

The use of automatic pedals is recommended but not mandatory, we allow the use of flat pedals. It is important to be able to stand up on the pedals in order to negotiate certain descents and climbs.

How to get there ?

  • By car : Meet us directly at our base camp "Domaine de St Estève".

  • By train : Montpellier train station

As soon as you arrive, our teams will take care of you and drive you directly to our base camp where the beyond biking experience takes its full meaning. The disconnection can begin, do not worry about anything, we take care of everything!

On your first day, we will meet you at noon. And for the last day, plan a departure from our base camp at 4pm.

Any questions?

All questions

Safety

Practicalities

Level

Logistic

Wonderful experience: a magnificent itinerary, varied landscapes, total nature and great encounters. Thanks to the professionalism and commitment of the GravelUp team.

Matthieu B. - April 2022

A stay that is both sporty and very friendly, very well supervised and in a very cool atmosphere. We forget everything during our stay, discovering nature and people. To be repeated for sure.

Antonio P. - May 2022

Without having ever done gravel before, GravelUp Adventurer format was an ideal experience for me! I loved the tour: the diversity of the routes, the warm and friendly atmosphere of the group, the discovery of the Aveyron and the gentle practice of yoga. The guide is a real plus, especially if you have never done gravel before. It remains very accessible. I loved this adventure, a very nice break, under the sign of the adventure and the discovery of a territory! I left satisfied with my GravelUp experience, more confident on my gravel and with a crazy desire to go back or to discover new destinations!

Angèle P. - October 2021

All the ingredients were there to disconnect and spend a most pleasant stay. Thank you to the team for this meticulous logistics!

Aurore B. - October 2021

GravelUp is a unique concept that was born thanks to a team of passionate sportsmen and women who combine a sense of hospitality, organization, and the creation of bonds and memorable experiences. Thank you for everything and I am already looking forward to the next weekend in your company.

Julien H - October 2021

Great experience of 4 days Gravel cycling with GravelUp around Millau! A really professional team and organisation! Accessible even for cyclists who are new to gravel!

Xavier D. - July 2022

A remarquable experience! Everything was thought through by Gravel Up: lodging, traces, food, bikes ... The whole experience was perfect.

Edouard D. - July 2022

Great experience, in an extraordinary natural setting with a professional team. Ideal for cyclists who want to discover or practice gravel and create unforgettable memories!

Mathieu S. - July 2022

My mother always said that you have to take the plunge, a phrase that is entirely appropriate here. No matter what has brought us here and where we have come from, we find ourselves in the saddle ready explore the roads, gravel and paths less travelled here.

Article written by Pierre Guilbaud

Read

Gravel Up, our expeditions to explore Aveyron and the natural park of Les Grands Causses, a gravel paradise.

Our team have come up with three expeditions to keep everybody happy, from regular social cyclists to bikepacking fanatics.

Between 3 and 7 days riding crisscrossing the natural park of Les Grands Causses in Aveyron on a gravel bike with a group of like minded riders will allow you find landscapes and views that will take your breath away. GravelUp takes care of everything during the trip, from carefully chosen accommodation to local meals and snacks ideal for a days riding.

It’s not just this care that makes our expeditions unique, its the local knowledge of our guides and the chance to visit local people and places that make for genuine and beautiful picnic spots and overnight stays. All that’s left for you to do is choose which of our trips to start with and get your gravel bike ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Download our catalogue HERE to see all our offers