A biking loop in Cheese land
Sommet du Combalou
Sommet du Combalou - Bernard Dumas
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 de Tiergues
    Dolmen de Tiergues - Roquefort Tourisme
    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…)
  • Dolmen de Crassous
    Dolmen de Crassous - Roquefort Tourisme
    Dolmen

    Crassous Dolmen

    With nearly 1,000 dolmens, Aveyron is the French department with the highest number of these monuments. Contrary to popular belief, they were not built by the Celts, but by Neolithic communities more than 4,500 years ago.

    The word “dolmen,” meaning “stone table” in Breton, refers to prehistoric collective burial sites. Visible from the road, this dolmen, along with the one at Tiergues, is well worth a visit. Nicknamed “l’Ercoulé,” it is linked to a local legend claiming that the demi-god Hercules, known for his superhuman strength, built this burial site.

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, and Saint-Rome-de-Tarn

Forecast

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

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