A biking loop in Cheese land
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A biking loop in Cheese land
Saint-Affrique

A biking loop in Cheese land

Agropastoralism
History and heritage
Panorama
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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!


2 points of interest
Dolmen

Tiergues dolmen

Listed as a historical monument, the Tiergues dolmen is part of the 20 or so dolmens which have been recorded in the area, some of them being poorly-preserved. The excavations of these megaliths were carried out by Emile Cartailhac during the 20th century and today their artefacts are scattered throughout Midi- Pyrennées (Rodez, Toulouse…)
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Dolmen

Crassous dolmen

This dolmen which can be seen from the road is one of the dolmens that is worth making a detour to visit. It is nicknamed l’Ercoule owing to an old legend that the demigod Hercules, known for his superhuman strength, must have built this burial chamber.

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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

  • St-Jean d’Alcas (Templar Tower) 14 km
  • Aiguières pass (viewing point) 20 km
  • Roquefort (Heritage and Food supply) 25 km

 

59 % of roads, 17 % of bicycle paths and 24 % of tracks

This loop takes 2h 30 to 4h to be completed depending on your physical stamina

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, Saint-Rome-de-Tarn

Altimetric profile


Access and parking

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

Parking :

Bus station carpark, boulevard Aristide Briand in Saint-Affrique

More information


Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here:


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Where to sleep ?

Where to sleep ?

The 1837” has reopened its doors from May 15th 2020…with new sanitary practises to ensure your safety, as well as that of our employees !

The success of our unique hotel is the result of an Aveyronnaise family in love with their region, and a beautiful building that is nearly two hundred years old. Come and spend green holidays and enjoy overnight, or week-long stays in spacious and comfortable suites (fully equipped apartments with, among other features “fitted kitchen, dining area, living room with an office space, free wifi internet access” which can accommodate from 1 to 6 persons), private terraces opening onto a large green terrain, with free and private access to all of the 1837 facilities (with time slot-booking) and providing a unique atmosphere. Situated a few steps away from the small town centre of Saint-Affrique and close to numerous hiking and cycling circuits, the 1837 combines wonderful open spaces, refinement and services in the heart of southern Aveyron.

On the subject of services, please note that from now on, the 1837 offers you packed breakfasts using only local produce, which we leave for you outside the door of your apartment. And if you do not feel like preparing a meal, going to the drive-through or shopping at the local grocery store, we can also deliver midday and evening meal trays to you!

Revitalise yourself and enjoy the simple things in life: spend the siesta hours in the shade of the park, picnic with your family on the river's edge, take a walk and live simply, while enjoying the 1837 facilities (heated indoor overflow swimming pool, SPA facility with sauna, hammam and 2 jacuzzis, cardio training room and a billiards room.

Book now with complete peace of mind and pay later by calling us at 05 65 97 63 30 or sending us an e-mail to contact@le1837.fr

We invite you to share all our wonderful facilities so that you have a relaxing and enjoyable stay !

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Where to sleep ?

Where to sleep ?

Traditional catering or cafeteria-style for groups. Bar with terrace. Outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre. 3 meeting rooms with accommodating 15 to 150 people.


COVID 19 MEASURES

The safety of our clients and our staff is priority number one. In response to the coronavirus disease, we have taken additional health and safety measures to ensure our guests security.

We have strengthened our cleaning team and increased the frequency of disinfection of bedrooms, common areas, hotel private areas and especially areas and facilities used by everyone (entrance hall, lifts (by now unauthorised use), door handles, toilets, Reception Hall, room access cards and others).

•    The staff is currently trained to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by means of new cleaning and disinfection techniques appropriate for today's conditions.

•    We have provided our employees with personal protective equipment.

•    We use specifically recommended cleaning products for the disinfection against COVID 19.

•    The storey's staff will not carry out the daily cleaning in occupied rooms to prevent anyone to entering your room.  

•    Change of bathroom linen will be available at the Reception if needed.

•    Alcohol-based disinfectant hand gel is available to our clients in the Reception Hall and in each floor.

•    Your access badge will be disinfected and placed in an envelope. Upon your leaving, please put it in the box provided for this purpose, in the Reception Hall.

•    A reminder of the appropriate physical distancing measures is displayed in the Reception Hall and on each floor.

•    We have implemented directional floor marking in the Reception Hall and a one-way system has been put in place on each floor.

•    We ensure that clients maintain a safe distance from each other.

We will continue to make sure that cleanliness and hygiene are our top priorities throughout all procedures and thank you for respecting the physical distancing measures (1.5 m).

We thank you, for the trust you put in us and wish you a pleasant stay with us!


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Where to sleep ?
« Trekking experience »
Where to sleep ?
Where to sleep ?
What to see

What to see

At its entrance, is a 180 million-year-old complete skeleton of an extinct marine dinosaur, the Occitanosaurus tournemirensis which was discovered fossilized in the “grey clay soils.”

The ecologically Sensitive Natural Space (SNS) of the Tournemire amphitheatre which is situated in the village of the same name, stretches over an area of approximately 130 ha and marks the boundary between the frontal causses and the causse du Larzac. This area has a remarkable environmental importance due to the geomorphology of the site and also owing to several natural habitats of European interest that it provides. This natural space shelters numerous noteworthy bird species: the Eagle Owl, the Golden Eagle, the Common Whitethroat, the Wallcreeper, the Red-billed Chough and some inconspicuous bats. A few plant species well-adapted to the topography, the rock and even sometimes to the Mediterranean climate can be observed: Hoppe's Figwort, Hormathophylla macrocarpa...

The House of Plesiosaur displays the skeleton of the marine reptile (it's a copy, the original is at Millau's museum) along with interpretative panels about the geology, Plesiosaur, flora, birds and bats. It is also the starting point of the Tournemire amphitheatre hiking circuit that enables you to immerse yourself in a unique environment and of the point of departure for the amphitheatre interpretive trail.

"Espace Nature Aveyron" is a mobile application which allows to discover the whole range of animal and plant species living in this ecosystem and to enjoy the SNS stroll.


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Where to eat ?
Where to sleep ?
Where to sleep ?
Where to eat ?
Where to sleep ?
Where to sleep ?
Where to sleep ?
Where to sleep ?