The « Causses » are limestone plateaus, and theres 7 of them in total to discover on this 5 day loop from our Base Camp in Millau. You’ll find the area of Aveyron is rich and diverse in geography and culture, and provides a great test of your gravel bike skills to top it all off.
By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!
A program 100% created by Gravel Up
The meeting point is in Millau, in the Aveyron, ideally located at the crossroads of the Tarn and Dourbie valleys with direct access to the various limestone plateaus known as Causses.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Warm-up and getting to grips with the gravel bikes to get the legs moving! From the Domaine de St Estève after a “get-to-know-you lunch”, we'll ride along the Tarn and then the Dourbie to gain some height. We'll then head towards the impressive Millau Viaduct! After a beautiful gravel descent to the village of Peyre and its troglodyte church, we'll return to base camp.
Day 2:Heading to Sainte Affrique via the Causse du Larzac. After a wake-up yoga session, we'll take the bikes for 71km and 1230m of elevation gain. After about 500m of elevation gain on a quiet road that winds up the causse, we'll delve into the Causse du Larzac on incredible gravel tracks! We'll then head to Roquefort for a visit to the Carles cave, one of the best traditional Roqueforts. We'll end this day on secret tracks only our guide knows about. Overnight in Sainte Affrique.
Day 3: Discovery of the Rougiers de Camarès. On the menu for the 3rd day, 52km and 1050m of elevation gain. We'll start the day with a nice climb on the road in the forest then descent towards the Sylvanes abbey for a coffee break. We'll then arrive in the Rougiers de Camarès, ochre lands reminiscent of the Australian Outback. Return by van to Millau, to the base camp, and a yoga session in the late afternoon. Dinner in the best restaurant in Millau!
Day 4: The biggest stage of the stay, 80km and 1430m of elevation gain in the Causse Noir, the "smallest" of the Grands Causses, covering 200km². Departure from the base camp, directly on the tracks of the famous Templar trail to reach the plateau under the Causse Noir. We will then follow the Tarn to the small village of Peyreleau. The day will continue between forest tracks, beautiful roads, and plateaus. A very wide variety of terrains, to suit all tastes! Break in Veyreau before tackling the last gravel part to reach the famous Puech d'agast overlooking Millau. Return to base camp.
Day 5: 33km and 510m of elevation gain to finish in style! Enough to spin the legs before going home. We'll ride along the Tarn to the north to find some beautiful gravel tracks and superb views of the Causses. Return to base camp and lunch to close this beautiful gravel adventure.
Date range:
April - october
Duration:
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Daily distance:
50 - 80 km
Daily elevation:
1000 - 1500M+
Difficulty:
3 / 5
GravelUp benefits
This is included
At the camp
Return transfer from Montpellier train station
Accommodation 4 nights - single room in a shared cottage for 2 persons
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.
Our bikes
We have both traditional and electric high end gravel bikes available to rent in Ventoux from our bike partner Origine.
Repeatedly voted Gravel Bikes of the Year, you can choose between the carbon framed Graxx (weighing only 8.1kg) or the Help eBike (not much more at 12kg). Both combine performance and versatility in a lightweight frame so that you can have faith your steed throughout the trip.
Price: €60/day for a non eBike, €80/day for an eBike.
You engage in physical activity several times a week.
You are capable of undertaking bike rides of at least 4 hours.
Having experience in multi-day bike touring is a plus.
CAMP DE BASE & DESTINATION MANAGER
Located in the heart of Aveyron, the chalets of the base camp are situated right at the foot of the famous Millau Viaduct. Wake up to an exceptional view classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On-site, in addition to your guide, you will be accompanied by our GravelUp destination manager. They will ensure that you lack nothing and will provide all the necessary logistical support and assistance to fully enjoy your trip.
How to get there ?
By car: Meet us directly at our base camp "Domaine de St Estève". (from 3pm)
By train: Montpellier train station (shuttle at 5pm / return at 5pm)
By plane: Airport of Montpellier Méditerranée (shuttle at 5pm/ return at 5pm)
As soon as you arrive, our team will pick you up and take you directly toour base camp where the disconnection can begin.
Your stay starts at 3pm and ends at around 3pm on Sunday.
You have the choice between a standard gravel bike or an e gravel bike. You can find more information in each page of the tour you are interested in.
What is the average speed of your expeditions?
Level
Our expeditions are adventures, not races. We start together and we finish together, it's the GravelUp speed.
It is difficult to give a precise average speed as the surfaces make a big difference, as well as admiring the views! Average speeds are normally between 15 and 18 km/h.
What is the cancellation policy?
Booking
You can change the date of your trip free of charge up to 30 days before departure. You can also cancel at any time before the start of the trip subject to payment of a cancellation fee. If the cancellation occurs:
More than 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 75% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 100%
Between 61 and 90 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 50% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
Between 31 and 60 days prior to Departure => Receive a Refund of 25% of all payments already made (including deposits) OR a Trip Credit of 75%
30 days or less prior to Departure => No Refund OR Trip Credit of 50%
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
To protect yourself against last minute cancellation, we advise you to subscribe to our cancellation insurance through our partner Chapka insurance, with a guarantee which also covers you in case of contracting the Covid-19. Please note that such insurance can only be subscribed within 48 hours following the order of your trip. Subscription link available here.
Important:the realisation of the trip is conditional on the registration of a minimum number of participants to guarantee the departure. We commit ourselves to confirm a trip at the latest 30 days before the departure date. In the event that the trip cannot take place because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be reimbursed for any sums paid but will not be entitled to any compensation. You will be informed by email whether or not a trip is confirmed.
How is my luggage transported?
Practicalities
For Adventurer and Escape trips your luggage will remain at the base camp, where you will sleep each evening.
For Explorer trips your luggage will be transported by us between your accommodation each day.
Amazing tracks, top gastronomy and an extraordinary organisation. An athletic trip, which trains the legs, and the memories!
Clémence G. - June 2022
Excellent organisation and atmosphere which allowed me to discover gravel biking with high level sporting and cultural guides. The landscapes of the Causses are breathtaking!
Guillaume L. - April 2022
My stay was a real pleasure! All the logistics are perfectly managed, which is perfect for clearing your head and having nothing to think about but walking along beautiful paths. The route was well thought out to vary the scenery and see as much as possible. It was a real pleasure to be able to meet with other members of the group and we were able to share quality moments both on the bike and during the other activities.
Benoît H. - June 2022
Physical challenge, new friends and cultural discovery!
Jean-Baptiste W. - April 2022
Another way to discover beautiful landscapes by bike. A great team. Services (accommodation, meals, supervision, logistics, cycling ...) up to expectations. A big thank you to the whole GravelUp team!
Jean-Luc R. - May 2022
I was won over by gravel riding! The versatility of these bikes is fantastic and the bikes offered by GravelUp are just great. Accelerating on the trails, letting loose on the climbs, skidding on the descents and enjoying the beautiful views. The tracks chosen were great, balanced, challenging ... in short, it was fantastic!
All this in a great atmosphere where the group and the organisation were one!
Sébastien C. - May 2022
A stay beyond my expectations and those of my 8 companions. A magnificent interlude, an ideal setting to discover the practice of Gravel. Alternating roads and paths in a wild green setting. We only came across a handful of walkers and no cyclists! Nature in its purest form. Professional supervision, always smiling and extremely dynamic.
Eric D. - May 2022
Gravel Up in Grands Causses was awesome! Unforgettable experience and guaranteed change of scenery in this French region, off the beaten tracks. The organization of the trip was perfect and the team very professional and always there to make sure we had an amazing time. Looking forward to my next trip with GravelUp!
Olivier H. - October 2021
To ride in the Causses with GravelUp is to take paths from oneself to oneself through others, and to return with new eyes.
Manu I. - October 2021
Very nice discovery of the Grands Causses.
I will not remember the difficulty but rather the quality and the conviviality of this beautiful weekend!
Thanks to the organisers!
Yann C. - May 2022
Very nice discovery of gravel with magnificent courses in the Causses and a top-notch organisation!
Jean-Jacques O. - May 2022
Magical experience!
An outstanding organisation before, during and after the stay.
An idyllic and playful setting to have fun with friends. To be repeated as soon as possible with friends, experienced or not, integration and good humour will do the rest!
All inclusive!
Christophe B. - May 2022
"GravelUp is fantastic!
It was a discovery for me and I will remember it forever. Go ahead and book your stay with friends at GravelUp! An experience, a feeling of freedom, the discovery of a sport and a region. I will be preparing for Corsica in 2023!
Fabien D. - May 2022
GravelUp is the best of gravel served on a plate! Top-notch logistics and organisation! I just had to pedal on dream tracks with a small group who share my passion. A week in a very good atmosphere and a Gravel spirit!
Romain L. - June 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.
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.
Gravel Up, our expeditions to explore Aveyron and the natural park of Les Grands Causses, a gravel paradise.
Our team have come up with two expeditions to keep everybody happy, from regular social cyclists to bikepacking fanatics.
Between 3 and 5 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.
