With 780 km of trails, mountain biking is on familiar ground in Saint-Affrique

Mountain bikers on one of the new trails, including Mathias Hervas in blue. – VIRGINIE GOVIGNON

Since 2023, the public has been able to explore almost 800 km of mountain bike trails, thirteen of which start from Saint-Affrique.

Since last year, the public has been able to enjoy 780 kilometres of trails for a total of thirty-five circuits, from the simplest for families with children to the most difficult for experienced mountain bikers.

“For this achievement, our community of communes merged with the Monts, Rance and Rougier community of communes, which created a huge canvas. Not to be forgotten, the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park brings together all the communities of communes”for outdoor activities” relates Mathias Hervas, project manager “mobility and outdoor activities” with the community of communes of Saint-Affricain, Roquefort and Sept Vallons.

Holder of a degree in Sciences and techniques of physical and sports activities (Staps) and a master's degree in territorial development, the young Saint-Affricain returned to his hometown after his studies.

Extension in 2023

“The first mountain bike (MTB) base dates back to 2006 with twelve circuits. At the time, Vélo Tourisme Saint-Affricain had proposed the routes, the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park had carried out the work and we had financed the project”, specifies the young man, himself a mountain biker.

He continues: “As the network has aged, we have decided to extend it in 2023, almost 20 years after the first trails”. A territory that Mathias Hervas knows well because he himself travels through it on a mountain bike. “The feedback is positive. The locals, who widely frequent the courses, are very satisfied".

MTB, trail and gravel

On these trails specially marked for outdoor cycling, people enjoy mountain biking, trail riding (suspended bike, ideal for steep slopes) and gravel (mix between mountain bike and road bike, light and dynamic, with large tires).

"As in skiing, the trails are classified by color, green, blue, red and black. The territory being hilly, most of the circuits offered are of medium difficulty, specifies Mathias Hervas.

Thirteen leave Saint-Affrique. Here are three. The green one, Pleasure of slowing down (10 km, elevation 246 m), is located on the greenway, in fact a former railway line. It runs very pleasantly along the Galatrave stream and is ideal with small coaches without difficulty.

Exceptional panoramas

The red one, In the open air(29 km, elevation 885 m) is living proof of Saint-Affrique's nickname “The city of seven hills”. Between ridge lines and wooded paths and the black, an oxygenating course requiring technicality and endurance.

The circuit, The relays (43 km, elevation gain 1,066 m), is presented in the form of a loop between red earth, the tunnel of the old railway line, the Vabres plain and the hamlets of Saint-Affrique.

The panoramas of the Rougier and the Monts de Lacune are worthy of the efforts of the athletes. In the pipeline, signposts in the municipalities, dedicated points with all the practical information on them. A great offer within everyone's reach.

Rental and repair

The public can find three bike rental shops in Saint-Affrique, Cycles Dumas Naturel, Saint-Aff bike Shop and Sud Aveyron Experience. And a service station for repairs and inflation, at the Pumptrack. Map available at the Saint-Affrique and Roquefort Tourist Office. Rando Grands Causses is a very well-made application, designed by the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, with road access, services at proximity, geolocation, altimeter profiles, recommended parking, heritage, particularities…hellip; À use without restriction.