FROM THE LARZAC TO THE MEDITERRANEAN BY MTB ON THE GTMC: COMPLETE ITINERARY

1

Millau, in the heart of the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, is the starting point of the first stage of the Larzac to Mediterranean crossing on the GTMC. After a climb with a view of the viaduct, you arrive on the Larzac plateau. From the north of this plateau and its steppe areas, head towards the Templar village of La Cavalerie and that of l’Hospitalet-du-Larzac, then continue your journey on small single tracks, immersed in a unique agro-pastoralism in Europe until the village of La Couvertoirade. An integral part of the Causses and Cévennes territory, the Larzac has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.

2

For this second stage of the Larzac to Mediterranean crossing on the GTMC, the route leaves the Larzac of the GTMC and enters the Haut Languedoc Regional Natural Park. The village stopover of Le Caylar en Larzac, between boxwoods and stone statues, amazes with its carved tree. A detour to the Labeil cave is essential before entering the mysterious Escandorgue forest. A Buddhist temple and beautiful viewpoints over the mountains of Haut Languedoc punctuate the itinerary before descending into the Gravezon Valley and discovering the Joncels Abbey. Lunas offers a refreshing stop: a pretty river, and a leisure center around a lovely body of water.

3

Third stage of the Larzac to Mediterranean crossing on the GTMC. After Lunas, the GTMC route fully enters the Mediterranean world. A succession of climbs and descents allows you to enjoy exceptional viewpoints over the vast spaces of Haut Languedoc and then over the red lands of Salagou. Our favorites: Dio and its castle, the Carlencas plateau, and above all... Lake Salagou! A dream spot for mountain bikers, the lake's edges offer aesthetic and fun single tracks, and many invitations to swim. Vineyards and olive trees complete the landscape, before reaching Clermont l’Hérault with its many services.

4

Fourth stage of the Larzac to Mediterranean crossing on the GTMC: after Clermont l'Hérault, you will need to chain climbs and descents between tracks and trails on the last foothills of the Massif Central before diving into an ocean of vineyards and reaching the beautiful town of Pézenas, the homeland of the great Molière. Beautiful views of the Pic de Vissou, sentinel of central Hérault, panoramas over the Hérault plain to the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, dry stone constructions between vineyards and olive trees, pretty villages, wine estates... this is the south!

5

Last stage of the Larzac to Mediterranean crossing on the GTMC: the route's culmination offers nice surprises. The first part is playful and aesthetic between Montagnac and Castelnau-de-Guers, around Bessilles: beautiful trails between pine forests and vineyards, views of the Thau pond and the sea, statues of Montagnac’s Terroir d’Art et de Nature... The route then becomes very gentle between vineyard paths, small roads and cycle tracks, allowing plenty of time to enjoy vineyard landscapes, the city of Agde crossed by the Canal du Midi... before reaching the deep blue on the unique volcanic coast of the Languedoc coast.

6

The GTMC ends above the amazing black beach of Grande Conque, facing the volcanic island of Brescou, the last link in the chain of Auvergne volcanoes: it’s time to take a dip... Train schedules between Béziers and Millau will allow you to enjoy the beach in the morning and reach Béziers from Agde by taking the Canal du Midi and the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo route. This very rolling stage of 26 km from Agde to Béziers can be done in less than 2 hours, leaving plenty of time to visit the Libron facilities at Vias and the Fonseranes Locks in Béziers.

Red MTB markers

https://www.la-gtmc.com/

GTMC website

Grande Traversée VTT-FFC