The GTJ (Grande Traversée du Jura) allows you to discover all the facets of the French Jura massif along its 415 km. The relief is certainly gentler than in the Alps, but don't be mistaken! Alternating the differences in altitude, this itinerary still presents many technical passages and sometimes long climbs. But it is also the promise of beautiful descents!
The proposed itinerary concerns the southern part of the GTJ over 240 km from Morteau in the Doubs to Culoz in the Ain, passing through the Mont d'Or and the Grand Colombier. Along the GTJ the route is never monotonous. You will go up and down (an expression that takes on its full meaning in the Haut Jura!) alternating passages through pastures, peat bogs, undergrowth and deep spruce forests. You will discover picturesque villages surrounded by their green settings, peaceful natural lakes of glacial origin, and grandiose panoramas. In the evening, at the stopover, regional dishes based on renowned regional products (Comté, Morbier, Mont d'Or, Morteau sausage, etc.) will be served to recharge your batteries.
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We take a moment to distribute the mountain bikes and explain how they work explain how they work, do a few test rides and off we go for a week of exploring the for a week of exploring the Jura mountains. This will allow us to admire the castle of Joux superbly erected on a rocky outcrop. We will cross the village of Métabief where the world mountain bike championships took place in 1993. The route will take us to the summit of the Mont d'Or (1461m) through the Morond, which offers us a superb view of the Swiss Alps. Swiss Alps. We will then head towards Mouthe (the coldest village in France coldest village in France: -41° in 1985) through the Mont d'Or through the Mont d'Or massif in the middle of spruce forests to find our gîte in the middle of the forest. Night in a comfortable gîte
This second stage will take us along forests and pastures. We admire the impressive ski jumping hill of Chaux Neuve before arriving in the ski jumping hill of Chaux Neuve before arriving in the Jura department of Foncine Le Haut. Forest tracks through the Mont Noir then lead us easily to the picturesque village of Chapelle village of Chapelle des Bois. Then we head for the lakes of Les Mortes and Bellefontaine and the village of the same name. Then comes the climb and the crossing of the majestic Risoux forest massif, which is on a very rolling "white road" before arriving at the the arrival at the resort of Les Rousses and its lake. With this day you will taste the Jura pure sugar! Night in a comfortable gîte
On the programme for this third day, high combes, meadows and always its sumptuous forests. We then move on on the territory of the Hautes Combes with a very varied relief punctuated with views of the Monts Jura and the Crêt de Chalam in the line of sight. Chalam. We won't miss a break at the "borne au Lion, a place full of history and offering a magnificent panorama of the of the Jura mountain range. We then enter the department of We then enter the Ain department and slowly reach our gîte for the night. Night in a comfortable gîte
We leave the Haut Jura for the Haut Bugey by crossing the of Nantua to St Germain de Joux. We start with a descent before We start with a descent before going up to the village of Le Poizat by road. We then continue to climb gradually, alternating between tracks and forest forest roads until we reach the Cuvery pass which marks the entrance to the the Retord plateau. We walk along this almost deserted plateau with sometimes with a view of the Alps at the bend in the wood. We finally reach crêt du Nu, the highest point of the plateau at 1351m before heading towards to Les Plans d'Hotonne, a cross-country skiing area. Night in a comfortable gîte
Les Plans d'Hotonne - Culoz Last day of our raid and we finish in beauty! It is a wild stage without any village crossed. Our first objective objective is the Chartreuse d'Arvières, a place full of serenity and of serenity and calm. We then set off to climb the Grand Colombier. Culminating at 1524m, it is the last high summit in the south of the Jura mountains and is also the highest point of our tour. From the summit, a 360° view on the Alps, the Rhône, the lake of Bourget and the Bugey. Then, 14km of descent await us 2.5 km on the road, then a path through the mountain pastures to reach the to the Fenestrez lookout and continue in the direction of Culoz Culoz on the banks of the Rhône Night in a comfortable gîte
Concerned about the quality of our services, we attach great importance before registration to understanding your technical and physical level, but also your approach to cycling and your motivation
The person who created the course will contact you to validate or not your registration, in order to constitute the most homogeneous groups possible and to ensure you a quality stay
Lucie, who knows more and more about the details of each route, then takes over the follow-up of your registration file and the organisation of your trip
In order to better understand our classification, you will find below our own definitions...
TYPES OF PRACTICE :
FURTHER TRAINING = Services focused on learning and riding techniques. In a course format with half-day teaching modules or in a stay format with often a half-day of improvement (depending on level) in the morning and hiking in the afternoon to enjoy the mountain. Mainly in the Guillestrois Queyras
DISCOVERY = Easy to moderate level tours that encourage contemplation and explanations of the natural and cultural heritage, where the difference in altitude is moderate, the risk of falling and the technical requirements are low. In star or itinerant form, in France or in the Italian Piedmont
ALL MOUNTAIN = Mountain oriented trips where the pleasure of pedalling and climbing takes on its full dimension. For those who already have a minimum of technical knowledge in both climbing and descending, who obviously like the adrenalin and technicality of single descents but who are more interested in contemplating the high altitude landscapes rather than accumulating descents at all costs
ENDURO = Still in the high mountains on shared or dedicated routes, with a clear focus on descent rather than contemplation. We still pedal but this time we increase the ratio with a morning shuttle to reach between 1200 to 1500m of D+ and 2500m of D-. Protective gear is highly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
SHUTTLE ENDURO = Clearly for downhillers who are looking for adrenaline and the technicality of the descent on trails dedicated to this practice as much as possible. The ratio is increased here with logistical support throughout the day to reach 1000m of D+ on the way up and 3000m of D-. Protection is strongly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
TECHNICAL LEVELS :
BEGINNER = You do not yet master the basic techniques of mountain biking (balance, gear shifting, braking, maintaining your trajectories on narrow trails...) and going into the mountains scares you but you want to brave your limits.
INTERMEDIATE = You are comfortable on your bike even on narrow single tracks but many mistakes persist. You don't mind riding in the mountains, but getting into tight corners, steep slopes or rocky-rooty trails can make you worry if it goes on too long. Long, intense rides take a lot of energy and concentration and can increase the risk of falling as the day progresses.
CONFIRMED = You are able to control your bike in the mountains whatever the terrain (crossings, hairpins, roots, rocks, steep climbs and descents, singletracks) and you are able to keep all your lucidity even on long days. You still have room to improve your style, performance and riding fluidity...
EXPERT = You have full control of your bike in all situations and you are autonomous in the mountains. You are able to keep up with the pace, even on long days with 2 batteries for example. The guide may find it difficult to keep up with you.... But he knows the paths not to be missed and allows you not to worry about the route, so trust him!
PHYSICAL LEVELS :
COOL = Throughout your stay you will cycle on wide tracks that lend themselves to contemplation, the pace is not very fast, although you will obviously have to pedal to make the bike move on mountain terrain. These are our "beginners" trips and outings, of easy level. Ideal for a first approach to electric mountain biking, for those who want an active holiday but have little opportunity to do sport on a daily basis
MODERATE = You are a more regular daily rider and enjoy challenging yourself, even if it means getting into the red sometimes. The pace of cycling and the trip remains cool and contemplative, but can include many steeper sections and longer climbs that you obviously have to endure physically and mentally to enjoy the cycling experience. Easy itineraries, Discovery mountain star trips or intermediate All Mountain trips are more likely to be found in this category
SPORTSMAN = Sport is your daily routine and sweating profusely is almost a goal of the day for you. Sometimes steep climbs that require good calves and big thighs, varied pedalling rates, relaunching, linking up with descents..., all the while keeping your wits about you of course! Many of our All Mountain Enduro trips take place at this pace
INTENSE = You have "the body" as we say back home, and the muscle tone and concentration capacity to withstand long distances and a series of terrains. So we go riding from morning to night, until we run out of two batteries if necessary. Good luck!
We only offer trips that are well mastered by the guides
On remote destinations and one-off dates, you will be supervised by local guides with whom we have the pleasure of working, who are experts in their field and with whom we share the same values
You will ride in small groups (Minimum 3 people - Maximum 8 people, or 7 people for enduro trips with logistical support)
More pleasant, easier to discuss together, less inertia, easier for the guide to give precious advice and to adapt to the level of the group, ... less technical incidents too... In short, all advantages!
Our tours are therefore calculated with the aim of keeping them "insured" with 3 people in the Queyras, 4 people outside and during the itineraries, while keeping the number of people reduced.
Since the beginning we have worked closely with the hosts you will be staying with.
Cycling reception is improving year by year in the Queyras and the Hautes Alpes in general. In Italy, things are often already well in place
Although the "dormitory" or "3* hotel" formulas are possible to better fit the budget and expectations of everyone, we have chosen to build our stays as we would like to experience them.
Most of the time in "Gîte tout confort" formula, rooms to share (3-4 persons max) with sanitary facilities in the rooms.
For the itineraries, it is sometimes a bit more complex and we try to find the right balance between comfort, conviviality, good food without compromising the quality of the itinerary.
In order to develop this activity seriously and to offer a quality service at every stage, we have established a real cycle shop at the gates of the Queyras, in Eygliers.
We have several 9-seater vehicles and approved trailers, suitable for transporting ATVs.
The drivers are often guides or mechanics who are used to working together, which ensures a good flow, a good atmosphere and brings an extra service in the package when the bike needs to be repaired
Picnic buffets, refreshments based on local products, elaborate meals, etc. are also possible during incentive days or itinerant trips
We therefore have complete control over the logistical and material aspects. This makes all the difference in the field and is a real guarantee of quality and reactivity for you
On foot, by bike (with or without batteries) or with the bike on our backs... , All of us have travelled the length and breadth of the Guillestrois Queyras and the Piedmont over the last 15 years.
With an eye for detail, we have taken the time to design unique routes through our various programmes, so that they can be adapted to each type of practice, to each level, to each type of audience. This is a long-term project that is now bearing fruit.
By working with local guides, each in their own way, they are able to adjust the routes in real time in order to offer you theperfect sequence that will match the level and expectations of the group
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