Gravel N°17 - Loop in the Land of Cheese
Sommet du Combalou
Sommet du Combalou - Bernard Dumas
Saint-Affrique

Gravel N°17 - Loop in the Land of Cheese

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With a difference in altitude of 1000m over a distance of 50 km, this biking loop is tasty and characterful, just like the Roquefort cheese. This circuit runs between geological marvels (Combalou scree, Tournemire amphitheatre) and historical jewels (fort, dolmens).

The loop begins with a green lane but don’t you be mistaken, this is a real sportive challenge featuring a steep incline over a short distance. At the Combalou rock, scramblers will have the opportunity to enjoy an extra challenge: the ascent to the summit. An undulating limestone plateau opens its trails in the second half of the course, with a lovely final downhill to Saint-Affrique. Fresh air guaranteed !

Description

  1. The starting point from Saint-Affrique is via the green lane in the direction of the St-Jean d’Alcas battlements.
  2. Then the ascent towards the Aiguières pass will offer you a magnificent view over the Tournemire amphitheatre before beginning the downhill section that goes to Roquefort  (indulge yourself with a small tasting session of Roquefort cheese and a visit to the caves).
  3. At last, the Combalou trail marks the way back to Saint-Affrique with a passage through the land of Tiergues and Crassous dolmens

Points of interest :

  • Saint-Jean-d’Alcas (Cistercian fort) : km 14
  • Col des Aiguières (viewpoint) : km 20
  • Roquefort (heritage and refreshments) : km 25

59% road, 17% cycle paths and 24% tracks.

Riding time depending on your level : 2h30 to 4h.

  • Departure : Saint-Affrique Tourist Office
  • Arrival : Saint-Affrique Tourist Office
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Affrique, Saint-Jean-d'Alcapiès, Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, Tournemire, and Saint-Rome-de-Tarn

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Transport

All the information is available on the Tourist Office website.

Access and parking

Saint-Affrique is situated 31 km southwest from Millau via the D992 and D999 roads.

Parking :

Bus station car park, boulevard Aristide Briand, Saint-Affrique

Source

Espace GRAVEL FFC

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