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!

2 days / 2 nights - start from Eur 590.

Join a group of 8 to 12 people to live a unique experience.

Don't have a gravel bike yet or don't want to travel with one? You can rent one directly from us (100 euros for a muscular / 140 euros for e-gravel).

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
Duration:
2 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Daily distance:
40 - 60 km
Daily elevation:
500 - 1200 M+
Difficulty:
3 / 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

  • 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

Your 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

He or she will make sure you are safe and will share with you various tips and tricks on how to ride on the trails.

BASE CAMP & DESTINATION MANAGER

The GravelUp team welcomes you to a domain just a stone's away from the legendary Millau Viaduct. Ideally located, it's the ideal base camp to start your day directly on the gravel trails leading to the plateaux of the different Causses. You will sleep in 2-person chalets, each with its own individual room.

On-site, in addition to your guide, you will be accompanied by our GravelUp destination manager. He or she will make sure you don't miss a thing, and provide all the logistics and support you need to make your stay the most enjoyable possible.

Our bikes

Ride on the latest gravel or e-gravel bikes from the French brand Origine that combine performance, versatility, and lightness.

At ease on the road as well as on paths, these bikes filter terrain imperfections through suspension tuning. Coupled with a comfortable and secure geometry and generous tire sections, it allows for engaging routes to be undertaken safely.

Rental price : 50 eur/day (or 70 eur/day for e-gravel)

Read more about our bikes

EQUIPMENT

The complete list will be sent to you a few weeks before your expedition. You will find here the few essential items that you may not have at home:

  • Cycling shorts with chamois to be more comfortable

  • Bike gloves to avoid blisters

  • Cycling shoes: 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.

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.

How to get there?

  • By car: Meet us directly at our base camp "Domaine de St Estève" (from 4pm)

  • By train: Montpellier train station (shuttle at 6pm/ return at 5pm)

As soon as you arrive, our team will pick you up and take you directly to our base camp where the disconnection can begin.

Your stay starts at 4pm and ends at around 3pm on Sunday.

Any questions?

All questions

Safety

Practicalities

Level

Logistic

Top stay! Dynamic, attentive team that adapts to everyone. Magnificent Gravel courses 😍 I'm booking my next Gravel up holiday as soon as possible! Thank you Gravel up team 🙏🏼

Eve A.

Superbe aventure gravel dans les Grands Causses pour s’aèrer l’esprit et dépasser ses limites en toute convivialité ! Une organisation de haute volée, une équipe Gravel Up au top et super pro. Le plaisir de découvrir ces magnifiques terres de gravel Aveyronnaises en groupe dans une ambiance vraiment sympa, et de se retrouver autour de magnifiques tablées pour récupérer après l’effort. Gravel Up, c’est l’impression d’être parti 15 jours en vacances après seulement quelques jours d’expédition. Longue vie à Gravel Up !!!

Steve.M - MAI 2023

Première expérience Gravel au top. Merci!! Les gros points positifs: l équipe pro et sympa, le parcours sportif et “carte postale”, le matériel de grande qualité. Résultat un we sportif entre amis pour se ressourcer à la découverte des Causses. A refaire!!

Antoine.G - AVRIL 2023

Top experience pour tous les niveaux dans un paysage naturel magnifique. Equipe sympa et disponible!

ÉDOUARD.D - AVRIL 2023

Expérience géniale! Super Week end Gravel entre amis dans les Causses. Organisation parfaite, vélos au top avec un mix d électrique et musculaire pour pouvoir partir avec toute la bande. Traces parfaites pour un mix de routes et de chemins dans les paysages magnifiques du Larzac et de l Aveyron. Et bien sûr l'équipe Gravel Up au top, sympa et attentive aux moindres détails!

Victor A. - avril 2023

Top expérience !!! Du sport avec du super matos et un encadrement remarquable ! Des paysages et un cadre magnifique ! Merci à l’équipe Gravel Up !

LUDOVIC.D - AVRIL 2023

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

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

Between 2 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