← PreviousThe secret villages of Lozère, between Saint-Rome-de-Tarn and GénolhacFor anyone who might be interested, for families who feel inspired, we've gathered information on this page so you can follow our route. We'd rate this trip as difficult; you need strong thighs to climb the peaks that await you. But go for it without fear: if you take your time, anything is possible!
To read the whole adventure in detail, you'll find the first part between Gaillac and Ambialet, the second between Ambialet and Saint-Rome-de-Tarn and the last one between Saint-Rome-de-Tarn and Génolhac.
- Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Safety: ⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of finding accommodation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gear
- Here's the gear we used:
- A light, sturdy Kona Rove gravel bike; it weighs only 11 kilos and pulls the trailer.
- A Thule Chariot Cross Alaska single-child trailer
- The other bike is a Decathlon Riverside Touring 920; it weighs 18 kilos and carries most of the weight in its panniers.
- A Shotgun seat so Clémence can ride up front with a panoramic view.
- Komoot, to plan routes and guide us live.
The route
Stage 1: Saturday 4 May 2024
We slept in an Airbnb in Toulouse (€70) to start the route by train. After 40 minutes on the train, we were in Gaillac (€3 for the three of us, as it was the first weekend of the month). From Gaillac we rode to Albi, where we stayed with friends.
On the bike: 23 kilometres in 1 h 27, 88 metres of climbing.
Stage 2: Sunday 5 May 2024
We slept in Ambialet in a B&B with breakfast included for €70.
On the bike: 35 kilometres in 2 h 15 and 213 metres of climbing.
Stage 3: Monday 6 May 2024
We slept at the Relays du Chasteau in Brousse-le-Château for €60, breakfast included.
On the bike: 33 kilometres in 2 hours and 200 metres of climbing.
Stage 4: Tuesday 7 May 2024
We slept at Camping La Cascade in Saint-Rome-de-Tarn for €60.
On the bike: 37 kilometres in 3 hours and 700 metres of climbing.
Stage 5: Wednesday 8 May 2024
We slept at the Moulin de Pareyre in Les Vignes for €100, breakfast included.
On the bike: 61 kilometres in 4 h 30 and almost 500 metres of climbing.
Stage 6: Thursday 9 May 2024
We slept at Hôtel Burlatis for €70 with a very generous breakfast included.
On the bike: our GPS malfunctioned that day and merged two rides into one. That Thursday, we rode 30 kilometres in 2 hours with 300 metres of climbing.
Stage 7: Friday 10 May 2024
We slept at Camping Chantemerle in a little cabin for €54; the breakfast is not recommended.
On the bike: our GPS malfunctioned that day too and merged two rides into one. That Friday, we rode 30 kilometres in 2 hours with 300 metres of climbing.
Stage 8: Saturday 11 May 2024
We splashed out a little by staying at the Mas Nouveau in Génolhac. For €120 we spent a night somewhere slightly out of time. Breakfast was included and offered endless choice.
On the bike: this was the hardest day. We rode 45 kilometres in 3 h 40 with 825 metres of climbing.
On the road
The routes of this story
- By bike · May 4, 2024Gaillac → Albi23 km · 88 m D+ · 1 h 27View on Strava →
- By bike · May 5, 2024Albi → Ambialet35 km · 213 m D+ · 2 h 16View on Strava →
- By bike · May 6, 2024Ambialet → Brousse-le-Château33 km · 198 m D+ · 2 h 02View on Strava →
- By bike · May 7, 2024Brousse → Saint-Rome-du-Tarn37 km · 694 m D+ · 3 h 00View on Strava →
- By bike · May 8, 2024Saint-Rome-de-Tarn → Les Vignes49 km · 384 m D+ · 3 h 33View on Strava →
- By bike · May 9, 2024Les Vignes → Bedouès58 km · 601 m D+ · 4 h 14View on Strava →
- By bike · May 11, 2024Bédouès → Genolhac45 km · 825 m D+ · 3 h 41View on Strava →