Half To Peak

Half To Peak – Chaîne des Puys, France

• Date: 25 July – 2 August 2026
• Location: Pontgibaud, Auvergne, France
• Distances: ~1040 km
• Event Type: Unsupported Ultra Bikepacking

The Half To Peak offers a remarkable journey of ultra bikepacking France, beginning in the volcanic heart of the Auvergne. This is a self-supported, off-road adventure that traces the second half of the formidable Sea To Peak route. The concept is pure: a continuous line drawn from the ancient Chaîne des Puys, across rolling plateaus and deep gorges, culminating in the high peaks of the Alps. It is an exploration of landscape and endurance, a path for riders ready to embrace a significant challenge.

From the start in Pontgibaud, the route immediately immerses riders in the distinct terrain of the Massif Central. The path winds south through the Puys volcanic chain, passing wild lakes beneath the Sancy massif before navigating the expansive Cézallier plateau. The landscape grows more rugged with an assault on the Plomb du Cantal, then opens into the immense, quiet spaces of the Aubrac. This opening act is a true test demanding rhythm and resolve over its forested plateaus and ancient stones.

After traversing the wild Cévennes and the southern Ardèche, the profile shifts dramatically. A short transition across the Rhône valley gives way to the formidable silhouette of Mont Ventoux. True to the event’s off-road spirit, the Géant de Provence is tamed not by tarmac, but by a memorable ascent on its unpaved tracks. This marks the entry into a new world, as the route pushes through the technical terrain of the Drôme Provençale towards the high mountains that wait beyond.

The final act of the journey unfolds in the Hautes-Alpes. Riders enter the region through the striking Gorges d’Agnielles, progressing onto the heights of the Gapençais near Embrun and its lake. The route saves its crowning challenge for the end: the Col de Valbelle, the high point of the parcours, a decisive climb cresting at 2,400 metres. The adventure concludes with a magical descent into the valley of Saint-Véran, Europe's highest village, providing a truly spectacular finish among the peaks.

Half To Peak is rooted in the principles of unsupported riding. There is no official classification; the clock runs nonstop from start to finish, leaving strategy, pacing, and rest entirely to the rider. The terrain, best suited for mountain or 'monster cross' bikes, is predominantly unpaved, ranging from rolling forest roads to technical and rocky mountain singletrack. This French ultra bikepacking experience is as much a mental puzzle as it is a physical trial, rewarding careful planning and self-sufficiency.

As a sibling event to the longer Sea To Peak, riders on the Half To Peak share the final, iconic half of the same GPX track. Participants who began their journey from the coast of Brittany a week earlier will converge on the same route, creating a unique atmosphere in the final days. This shared passage through the Alps offers moments of camaraderie and connection. Many other gravel events in France exist, but few offer this shared odyssey.

This is not an event to be taken lightly. The combination of high altitude, technical terrain, and autonomy requires thorough preparation and equipment for changing mountain weather. It is a serious undertaking for the experienced endurance cyclist. For those ready to commit, full details and rules for this exceptional ultra bikepacking France challenge can be found on the official event website.