13 days to go green in France – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB | Mountain Biking Collection by komoot (2024)

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13 days to go green in France – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB

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13 days to go green in France – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB

Mountain Biking Collection by FFC – Fédération Française de Cyclisme

days

2-4h

/ day

534km

8,730m

8,750m

The Creuse lies in the centre of France, less than three-and-a-half hours from Paris, and is a wonderful region for fans of nature and outdoor sports. The department has a long tradition of farming, fascinating remains of a medieval past and is also the world’s tapestry capital. The Grande Traversée de la Creuse mountain bike route is an authentic gourmet adventure through magnificent hills and valleys, across country lanes, woodland, peat bogs, and mountain pastures. You’ll explore the Millevaches plateau and its lakes, and many of the places that inspired the works of the famous author George Sand.

There are three variants of the Grande Traversée de la Creuse mountain bike trail: the Petite Boucle (small loop), the Grande Boucle (big loop), and the Grande Boucle - Northern Variant. This Collection covers the Northern Variant over 13 stages. It shares stages 1 to 3 and 9 to 13 with the Grande Boucle.

This mid-mountain route features many variations in altitude, allowing you to experience the beauty of the landscapes from different perspectives. The environment is dominated by nature, and some passages have limited access to shops (and sometimes water supplies). In these cases, the Tour description provides information on how and where to stock up on supplies. The Grande Traversée can be completed over several trips if you prefer, thanks to the train stations along the route. The stations at Aubusson, Guéret, Lavaufranche and Montaigut provide a link to La Souterraine.

A mountain bike, or at the very least, a hybrid, is essential for this Collection. The route offers a great variety of terrain, with single tracks, dirt tracks, pebbles and, in wet weather, mud. A windbreaker and a warm jacket will be essential, as well as some good rain gear. A filtering water bottle may be useful in the most isolated stretches.

Have a safe journey!

On The Map

Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.

13 days to go green in France – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB515km8,570m8,570m

Last updated: June 7, 2024

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: La Souterraine to Bussière-Dunoise – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:27
42.6km
12.3km/h
600m
570m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
This first stage of the Grande Traversée de la Creuse, nearly 43 kilometers long from La Souterraine, travels through countryside and forests offering a beautiful natural and architectural heritage.

After leaving the small medieval town of La Souterraine, you will see the Bridiers tower which dominates…
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Stage 2: Bussière-Dunoise to Saint-Silvain-Montaigut – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:13
39.8km
12.3km/h
620m
650m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
For this second stage in the Creuse region, you will encounter the Guéret mountains along 40 kilometers. You discover this series of granite mountains of more or less 600 meters which precede the Limousin plain. The legend of Saint Valéric is also present at the foot of the Three Horns. This green, rolling…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Saint-Silvain-Montaigut to Guéret - – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:48
44.8km
11.8km/h
860m
790m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This superb stage of the Grande Traversée is 45 kilometers long. It evolves mainly in a natural environment, made of paths and forest trails. You are once again crisscrossing the Guérets mountains, which is quite a sporty profile. Note the ascents of the Puy de la Gasne and that of Chiroux, with passages…
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Stage 4: Guéret to Saint-Laurent – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:41
46.7km
12.7km/h
750m
820m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Along the 47 kilometers between Guéret and Saint-Laurent, you enjoy the environment shaped by the Ardèche mountains, once again. The route reveals hidden trails in the middle of the forest, peaks that conceal a rich history and grandiose panoramas. Of course, these treasures are earned and revealed at…
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Stage 5: Saint-Laurent to Châtelus-Malvaleix – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:41
44.7km
12.2km/h
770m
730m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
On the program for this stage between Saint-Laurent and Châtelus-Malvaleix, country paths in the middle of fields and a few wooded passages. At Glénic, you see the 20 meter high viaduct and begin an ascent with a few steep passages. Heading north, you pass the Château de Jouillat, then the Pierre aux…
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Stage 6: Châtelus-Malvaleix to Boussac – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:13
37.4km
11.6km/h
630m
680m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
This 37.4 kilometer stage follows a bocage route between Châtelus-Malvaleix and Boussac. The passage through the Toulx woods is marked by an ascent which leads to the highest point of the stage. From there, don't forget to climb the Toulx-Sainte-Croix tower to enjoy an exceptional panorama that sweeps…
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Stage 7: Boussac to Chambon-sur-Voueize – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:07
42.6km
13.6km/h
440m
490m
See Also
Stories - Lonely Planet
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
This seventh stage is among those with the most elevation gain. It is an opportunity to discover a must-see in the department: the Pierres Jaumâtres site, located at the top of Mont Barlot. The trail continues towards Lavaufranche in the south-east where the hospital commandery stands, an imposing witness…
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Stage 8: Chambon-sur-Voueize to Mainsat – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
02:00
23.5km
11.7km/h
420m
200m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
A short day awaits with a route of 23 kilometers. We do not shy away from the pleasure of walking the agricultural and forestry paths which allow you to link Chambon-sur-Voueize to Mainsat. Before leaving Chambon, a look at the Sainte-Valérie abbey church is essential. The curves and proportions of this…
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Stage 9: Mainsat to Aubusson – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:25
42.0km
12.3km/h
690m
820m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Once again, it is over hill and valley that you discover the Creuse during this ninth stage of 43 kilometers. The route follows bocage paths bordering hilly agricultural land. A wooded passage around Méanas brings a little freshness in hot weather.

Shortly after your departure, the Etang des Portes is…
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Stage 10: Aubusson to Royère-de-Vassivière – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
04:14
49.1km
11.6km/h
910m
620m
Expert
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The stage connects the 49 kilometers that separate Aubusson to Royère-de-Vassivière. The difference in altitude is still very present on this portion of the Millevaches plateau. Forest landscapes are one of the main components of the wonderful scenery to be discovered today.

You leave Aubusson by taking…
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Stage 11: Royère-de-Vassivière to Bourganeuf – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:51
45.5km
11.8km/h
760m
1,050m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
For the second time, the Grande Traversée explores the treasures of the Millevaches regional natural park. Along the 45 kilometers that connect Royère to Bourganeuf, you travel through this wonderful area where nature reigns supreme.

From Royère, head towards Lake Vassivière, the largest in the department…
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Stage 12: Bourganeuf to Châtelus-le-Marcheix – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
02:15
28.5km
12.7km/h
570m
620m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The penultimate stage of the Grande Traversée is shorter at only 29 kilometers, the opportunity to take the time to visit Bourganeuf and its medieval heritage, notably the Zizim Tower. It is also necessary to have sufficient provisions for the day and the next day, because shops are rare, or even non…
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Stage 13: Châtelus-le-Marcheix to La Souterraine – La Grande Traversée de la Creuse by MTB
03:46
46.6km
12.4km/h
710m
740m
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This final stage of the Grande Traversée de la Creuse starts in Châtelus and ends in La Souterraine. It takes forest and agricultural paths to ensure a beautiful day in the countryside. On the program, the local rural and landscape heritage gives a last glimpse of the riches of the department that you…
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Collection Stats

Tours
13
Distance
534km
Duration
43:42h
Elevation
8,730m8,750m

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