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Availability

Published

Cover

Paperback - PVC

Published

19 Jan 2010

Edition

First

ISBN

9781852845711

ISBN (10)

1852845716

Size

17.2 x 11.6 x 1.2cm

Weight

220g

Pages

176

Originally Published

19 Jan 2010

The Grand Traverse of the Massif Central

by mountain bike, road bike or on foot by Alan Castle

A guidebook to mountainbiking, cycling or walking the 700km GTMC, Grande Traversée du Massif Central, in southern France, from Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne to Montpellier and Sête on the Mediterranean. The long-distance route is described in stages for walkers, and mountain bikers, with on road alternatives for road cyclists. More...

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Activities

road cycling, mountainbiking, backpacking

Seasons

spring and autumn recommended; summer can be very hot and the route could be very hazardous in Read More... winter conditions

Centres

Clermon-Ferrand, Saint-Etienne, Aurillac, Nimes, Montpellier

Difficulty

one of the most challenging mountain bike routes in France, but technical sections can be avoided Read More... by pushing a short distance or taking the on-road option

Must See

Auvergne; Puy de Sancy; Margeride; Mont Mouchet; Mont Lozère; Cévennes; Tarn Gorges; Mont Aigoual, Read More... Trèvezel Gorges

Route summary table

INTRODUCTION

A Long Distance Mountain Bike Trail
A GTMC for Road Cyclists
Walking the GTMC
Climate – When to Go
Supported or Unsupported
Travelling to and from the Region
Accommodation
Food and Water
Equipment
Maps
Waymarking
Training
Health
Snakes
Emergencies
Language
Money/Banks/Telephone
Insurance
Public Holidays and Time
Using this Guidebook

TRAIL GUIDE

Stage 1            Clermont-Ferrand to Laschamp
Stage 2            Laschamp to Murol
Stage 3            Murol to La Godivelle
Stage 4            La Godivelle to Allanche
Stage 5            Allanche to Saint-Flour
Stage 6            Saint-Flour to Paulhac-en-Margeride
Stage 7            Paulhac-en-Margeride to Le Giraldès
Stage 8            Le Giraldès to Bagnols-les-Bains
Stage 9            Bagnols-les-Bains to Le Pont-de-Montvert
Stage 10          Le Pont-de-Montvert to Sainte-Énimie
Stage 11          Sainte-Énimie to Cabrillac
Stage 12          Cabrillac to Dourbies
Stage 13          Dourbies to La Couvertoirade
Stage 14          La Couvertoirade to La Vacquerie et St-Martin-de-Castries
Stage 15          La Vacquerie et St-Martin-de-Castries to Saint-Jean-de-Fos
Stage 16          Saint-Jean-de-Fos to Montpellier
Stage 17          Montpellier to Sète

Stage Maps for the Road Bike Alternative

Appendix A      Budget Accommodation along the GTMC
Appendix B      Other Long Distance Trails along the GTMC
Appendix C      Further Reading
Appendix D      Useful Contacts