Grands Causses

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.

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Grands Causses

About this cycling trip

5 days / 4 nights - starting from 1490 €

Immense limestone plateaus, canyons, and spectacular cliffs: each stage holds a new surprise, in the heart of this raw and wild nature.

Join a small group of enthusiasts! You also have the option to book a private trip for groups of 6 or more. Contact us.

GravelUp's strengths:

  • An expert guide who will take you to discover their territory like no one else.

  • Carefully selected routes that combine sport, pleasure, and discovery on the most beautiful Spanish trails.

  • Comfortable accommodation and gourmet cuisine.

  • A support van: luggage transportation, technical assistance, refreshments.

  • The possibility to rent high-quality gravel bikes: muscular or electric.
    -> Check out our bikes

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

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
  • All food for the stay
  • 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)

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Preparation & equipment

ali guide

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.

vélo Origine

Our bikes

We have both traditional and electric high end gravel bikes available to rent in Ventoux from our bike partner Origine. Extra price: €60/day for a non eBike, €80/day for an eBike. supplement to be added during your registration process).

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.

Note : Origine is offering you the first day's hire of your bike, fully refunded if you decide to buy a Graxx or Help afterwards. It's the perfect opportunity to try out these bikes for real before making a potential purchase.

Find out more about our bikes

TELEMARK FGR RIDER PORTRAIT 4

Physical preparation

This trip is made for regular cyclists.

This stay is for you if:

  • 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.

Domaine de Saint-Estève

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.

Comment s'y rendre

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 to our base camp where the disconnection can begin.

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

Any questions?

Any questions?

Equipment

Level

Booking

Practicalities

Amazing tracks, top gastronomy and an extraordinary organisation. An athletic trip, which trains the legs, and the memories!

Clémence G. - June 2022

Clémence G.

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

Guillaume Line

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

Benoît H.

Physical challenge, new friends and cultural discovery!

Jean-Baptiste W. - April 2022

JB Weiler

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

Jean-Luc R.

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

Sébastien C.

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

Eric D.

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

Olivier H

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

Manu I

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

Yann C.

Very nice discovery of gravel with magnificent courses in the Causses and a top-notch organisation!

Jean-Jacques O. - May 2022

Jean-Jacques O.

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

Christophe B.

"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

Fabien D.

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

Romain L.

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
Grands Causse Pierre
Wishone Grands Causses

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.

Download our catalogue HERE to see all our offers