La Great crossing of the Haute-Loire by mountain bike (GTHL) is a marked trail to go around the Haute-Loire on a mountain bike or an electrically assisted mountain bike (AE). The course of 620 km et 13 m of elevation gain is known to be demanding if you drive without a battery. A great challenge to take up alone or with friends, and an unforgettable experience!
Incredible sites and points of life, accommodation with the Respirando or “cycling welcome” label or even bivouac places to better immerse yourself in the wild nature, good gastronomic establishments… The GTHL is a real treat for sports enthusiasts and epicureans. !
Useful information
The Grande Traversée mountain bike circuit takes you to the essentials of the Haute-Loire. Getting started on the GTHL means going through volcanic mountains (Massif du Mézenc, Forest of Meygal), descend the gorges of the Allier, the Loire or their many tributaries such as the Ance, the Lignon or the Dunière, catch your breath on the plateaus, where the Sucs du Velay draw the horizon line, cross authentic hamlets where volcanic or granite stones set the scene.
- 620 km
- 13m drop
- Departing from each of the municipalities crossed by the GTHL (In the Loire Gorges: Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon, Boisset, Tiranges Saint-André-de-Chalencon, Bas-en-Basset, Aurec-sur-Loire, Pont -Salomon, La Séauve-sur-Semène or Saint-Didier-en-Velay).
- From 11 to 15 days of mountain biking
- Official mountain bike signage
- Le Puy-en-Velay, Aurec-sur-Loire or Bas-en-Basset stage accessible by train from Lyon, Saint-Etienne
- Map of the mountain bike circuit to be collected at the Tourist Office
- GPX tracks to download
Great Crossing of the Haute-Loire
Proposed sports course in 11 stages:
| Step 1: | Le Puy-en-Velay – Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas |
| Step 2: | Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas – Lavoute-Chilhac |
| Step 3: | Lavoute-Chilhac – Blesle |
| Step 4: | Blesle – Champagnac-le-Vieux |
| Step 5: | Champagnac-le-Vieux – La Chaise-Dieu |
| Step 6: | La Chaise-Dieu – Saint-André-de-Chalencon |
| Step 7: | Saint-André-de-Chalencon – Aurec-sur-Loire |
| Step 8: | Aurec-sur-Loire – Tence |
| Step 9: | Tence – Saint-Julien-Chapteuil |
| Step 10: | Saint-Julien-Chapteuil – Les Estables |
| Step 11: | Les Estables – Le Puy-en-Velay |
Find the detail of the stages of the Grande Traversée à VTT de la Haute-Loire on the My Haute-Loire website.
Selected moments along the route in the Gorges de la Loire
01
Medieval village of Chalencon
The village is a small wonder of the Middle Ages faithfully preserved by its inhabitants. Chalencon, which overlooks the river spear from its rocky outcrop, takes you directly to medieval times (the chapel dates from the beginning of the XNUMXth century) to the time of the powerful lords who administered the Velay.
02
Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon, a small town full of character
Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon, commune of Haute-Loire, on the borders of the Loire and Puy-de-Dôme, is located south of the Monts du Forez, in the heart of the Ance valley at an altitude of nearly 900 m and 30 km from La Chaise-Dieu.
03
Beautiful panoramas towards Les Sucs
The most beautiful panoramas of the Gorges de la Loire reveal themselves through at orientation tables positioned throughout the territory. Some of them rise to more than 900 meters above sea level and offer sublime views of the surrounding nature.
04
Aurec-sur-Loire, medieval town on the banks of the Loire
A true historic monument overlooking the Loire, the Château d'Aurec-sur-Loire is located 30 minutes from Saint-Etienne and 1 hour from Puy-en-Velay. Built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, it is one of the most important fortresses in the region.
05
Saint-Didier-en-Velay
Rich in historical heritage, Saint-Didier-en-Velay has retained a certain charm. Saint-Didier developed around a castle among the most powerful of Velay, built from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century, it counted famous troubadours and knights hospitallers. The village lived from leather crafts in the XNUMXth century.
06
Le Puy-en-Velay
The city of Puy-en-Velay is located 45 minutes by car or train from Monistrol-sur-Loire. It is an essential step during your stay in the Gorges de la Loire in Haute-Loire. We advise you to plan at least one day to visit Puy-en-Velay and stroll through its busy and welcoming streets. So many exceptional monuments stand in this small town in Auvergne!
To discover too
Other mountain biking routes in the Gorges de la Loire or nearby:
Accommodation along the GTHL route
For personalized advice to book the ideal accommodation for you and/or your group of friends, contact the Tourist Office !
