The Grande Traversée du Rhône VTT, also known as the GTR, brings together the vineyards of Beaujolais, the wooded hills west of Lyon and the Rhône valley in one mountain bike journey. The Fédération Française de Cyclisme presents the traverse as a varied itinerary connecting several local mountain biking areas.
From Beaujolais into the hills
France Vélo Tourisme divides the traverse into 12 stages, beginning at Lancié. The opening section towards Régnié-Durette crosses Beaujolais wine country on paths and tracks, with some small roads. Its guide identifies a steep, technical descent towards the Ardevel stream as a point requiring particular care.
Beyond Régnié-Durette, the route climbs towards Mont Brouilly and the Beaujolais heathlands before descending to Le Perréon. The scenery then changes as the itinerary heads towards Grandris and the forest of La Pyramide. Farther on, the section through Beaujolais Vert passes woodland and offers views towards Lac des Sapins.
Pierres Dorées and the Monts du Lyonnais
The middle of the journey leads from forested country towards the villages of the Pierres Dorées and L'Arbresle. Around Savigny, the route crosses a landscape of orchards, chestnut trees and vines, with views towards the Monts d'Or and Monts du Lyonnais.
The ride towards Yzeron includes a long ascent to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid and a technical wooded passage before the Crêt du Châtelard. The following section passes beneath the Bois de Lienne and heads towards medieval Rochefort amid orchards and farmland. Rhône Tourisme highlights the Rochefort site and Riverie among places to discover on the Monts du Lyonnais portion.
Towards Condrieu
South of the Monts du Lyonnais, the route approaches the Pilat area and the Rhône valley. France Vélo Tourisme describes the final section from Croix Régis as a descent through hills, deciduous woodland and orchards, arriving at Condrieu by the Jean-Jacques Rousseau trail and the Rhône riverbanks.
The Pilat Regional Natural Park publishes a description of its portion from Saint-Romain-en-Gier to Condrieu. It asks riders to give way to walkers, respect cultivated and private land, and close gates. The park also cautions that livestock protection dogs may be encountered: dismount, stay calm and keep your distance.
Planning the ride
The route combines singletrack and wider paths with climbs and descents of varying character. France Vélo Tourisme recommends a mountain bike and says the itinerary is not suitable for gravel bikes; it identifies accumulated climbing as a principal difficulty. Its trip planner allows riders to select a section using the official stage points and lists accommodation along the way.
The Fédération Française de Cyclisme describes the main traverse as waymarked and lists links to other mountain biking areas, including the Grand Tour des Monts du Lyonnais. It also describes a GTR Light option that avoids some of the most physical and technical sections; that alternative is not waymarked. Check the relevant route information when choosing between them.