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 discovery of the Grands Causses bikepacking, that's the program!
The appointment is given at our base camp, on the heights of Millau. Ideally located at the crossroads of the Tarn and Durbie valleys, but above all with a direct access to the different limestone plateaus called Causses - there are 7 in all! But we promise not to do them all... not this time!
Handling of the Gravel the 1st afternoon with our local partner Wish One which manufactures the bikes on the spot! We take the time, we prepare ourselves physically and mentally for the next 4 days which are going to be rich as well sporty as culturally! It doesn't look like that but the physical challenge will be there, we promise you that!
Each Causse is different: forests, windy plateau or ancient templar cities, we promise you a total change of scenery. You will discover the people who make this territory alive, as authentic as welcoming, and whose culinary specialties will not leave you indifferent.
After having crossed the Black Causses and the Larzac, we will take you to the heart of the Rougiers de Camarès. There, it is not the great American spaces but rather the Australian red center which awaits you. An incredible ochre earth awaits you and historical villages of all beauty will make you travel in time.
We will close the adventure with a superb moment of sharing to realize the experience lived on the bike and the strong links that we have built together.
We promise you the discovery of a breathtaking "Land of Gravel", a truly ideal playground that makes us understand why the International Cycling Union (ICU) has decided to organize the French round of the next World Gravel Championships here!
Date range:
April - Juin 2023
Duration:
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Daily distance:
50 - 80 km
Daily elevation:
1000 - 1500 M+
Difficulty:
6 / 10
Gravel Up 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
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 3T Exploro RaceMax Boost (or equivalent).
The Exploro Racemax Boost e-bike is perfect for gravel & all-road riding. It’s light yet tough, agile yet planted and fast yet fun.
This makes the Racemax Boost a great range-extender on your gravel adventure. Or it can help you keep up with faster friends on road and gravel rides.
The RaceMax Boost feels every inch the same as the standard RaceMax, with one difference – when the dirt road heads upwards, you can add extra boost for greater traction, this additional power keeping you pedalling up trails you’d otherwise have no right to be riding.
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 get the most out of this expedition, we recommend that you practice an endurance sport such as jogging, swimming or cycling several times a week. Having already done long bike rides of at least 4 hours will allow you to feel more comfortable and better enjoy the breathtaking landscapes you will cross. At least 2 days in a row of cycling experience is a plus.
Use of automatic pedals is mandatory, ability to maneuver the bike on all types of terrain and good braking technique.
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
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 3pm.
And for the last day, plan a departure from our base camp at 12pm.
You have the choice between a standard gravel bike or an e gravel bike, depending on the destination you choose. 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.
And if you want even more information, don't hesitate to contact us directly by email at bonjour@gravelup.earth so that we can help you choose the type of expedition that will suit you best.
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
Corse Explorer
10 au 17 mars 2023
12 au 16, 24 au 27 avril 2023
13 au 17 mai 2023
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!
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.
Loosely following the « Grand Traverse of the Massif Central », an iconic route crossing the central area of France, come and discover the regional parks of Les Grands Causses and L’Aubrac. Exploring here with us will be a challenge physically that will enable you to discover another world and pace of life.
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.
