From €705 / pers

Untamed Loire, travel by electric bike or bicycle following the wild Loire
Distance
188km
Duration
6 or 5 days
Steps
Stages > 50km - Difficulty 3/5

Untamed Loire

Travel by electric bike or, depending on your preference, by hybrid bike, following the wild Loire River from its source. A truly “wild” route that blends mountains, gorges, and hidden valleys. You’ll crisscross roads and paths to reach the high plateaus of Mézenc. You’ll then be accompanied by the first waves of the river in Ardèche to reach Lake Issarlès. After a quick swim in the lake (depending on the season!), you’ll cycle through the magnificent gorges of the “upper Loire,” passing through beautiful villages like Lafarre, Arlempdes, and Goudet with its multi-colored roofs. What a wonderful experience to ride this wild route, which almost lost its charm in the 1980s and 1990s (due to a dam construction project). From Goudet, you’ll head up the valley to reach Saint-Martin de Fugères before diving back down to the Loire via Pont de Chadron.

A nature trip combining the pleasure of riding the small roads of Haute-Loire, the trails, and crossing the landscape sculpted by the Loire River! Your stops are punctuated by pleasant and varied stops, offering you the opportunity to discover the local cuisine and meet the locals! To plan your stay, check out our tips!

What we like: Exploring our memories of geography lessons and being amazed by the trickles of water that give rise to France’s largest river.

The advantages of your bike tour:

  • You travel independently and follow a specially adapted route.
  • Accommodation in a double, twin, or multiple-occupancy room with half-board except in Le Puy booked with B&B basis
  • You can also choose from modern electric bikes for comfort and convenience.
  • L’Autre Chemin also offers children’s bikes or child trailers.
  • Easy to navigate, you have access to a digital guidance app.
  • Your luggage is delivered at each stop (one bag max. 13kg/person).
  • For this trip, the bikes provided by the agency include the guarantee “Sereine mind”. For more information, see the Insurance section.
  • Our travel bikes for this trip

What we like: Exploring our memories of geography lessons and being amazed by the trickles of water that give rise to France’s largest river.

[WEBRESA]

The advantages of your bike tour:

  •  You travel independently and follow a specially adapted route.
  • Easy to find your way: you’ll have access to a digital route-guidance app
  • Your accommodation is booked on a half-board basis (except for the last night in Le Puy-en-Velay – for the 7-day trip – which includes overnight stay & breakfast only).
  • Your luggage is delivered to each stage (1 bag max. 13kg / person – Dimensions: length + width + height < 120cm)
  • With extra : For this trip, the bikes provided by the agency come with a “Esprit Serein” commercial warranty – For more information, see the Insurance section.
  • Our travel bikes for this trip
Your journey
Parcours des flots de la Loire Sauvage

Your route:

  • Elevation gain 3,810 m – Country roads and trails
  • Self-guided cycling tour, you choose your departure
  • Medium difficulty – Trails and small country roads – Variations are possible to shorten your cycling days.
  • Family: Children aged 13 and over (depending on their ability – variations and additional days are possible to make it accessible to younger children, please contact us)
  • Accommodation: In a private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodations)
  • IMPORTANT: Cycling touring requires good self-management skills: Knowing how to change an inner tube, repositioning a derailed chain, and also good bike handling skills.
  • What climate? See our Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that every stopover is given as an indication and may be modified according to the availability of accommodation 

Le Rocher Saint-Michel d'Aiguille - Le Puy-en-Velay
Day 1: Your arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

A day exploring the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.

An opportunity to discover the Velay city! You'll stroll through the secret streets of the upper town and discover the Cathedral, the starting point of the Way of Saint James.

Discover:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister, the starting point of the Way of Saint James
> Notre-Dame de France
> The Saint-Michel Chapel
> Crozatier Museum
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Polignac Fortress
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)

L'incroyable cirque des Boutières avec le Suc de Sara et le Gerbier-de-Jonc, un coin idéal pour randonner
Day 2: Le Puy-en-Velay – Les Estables - 52 km - 1280m

From Le Puy-en-Velay, cycle along the Velay Greenway before joining the GR3 trail, which offers magnificent views of the Loire. You'll cross mountains and forests toward the resort village of Les Estables, under the watchful eye of Mont Mézenc. Discover:
• Brives-Charensac
> The bridges spanning the Loire
• Chadron
> St. Armand Church
> The view of the Loire Valley and much more...

• Coubon
> St. Georges Church
> Poinsac Castle
> Volhac Fortified House

Louade Waterfall

• Alleyrac
> Saint-Martin Church
> The Scissor Cross

• Présailles
> Vachères Castle - Closed to the public
> The church and the wrought iron Mission Cross

• Freycenet-la-Cuche
> The church
> The Fortified House

• Les Estables
> Mont Mézenc
> Les Estables Church
> Lugik Parc, all-season toboggan run

Le villages de Sagnes et Goudoulet - Ardèche
Day 3: Les Estables - Le Béage – 46 km - D+910m

A day where you'll head to the Ardèche department to discover the nascent Loire, this stream not quite a river yet, and the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park. Mont-Gerbier-de-Jonc, Sagnes and Goudoulet, and Le Béage are all typical and pleasant stops that will allow you to follow the flow of the Loire.

Things to do and see:
• Mont-Gerbier-de-Jonc
> The Sources of the Loire
> Climbing the Mount

• Sagnes & Goudoulet
> Churches of Saint-Robert & Sainte-Marguerite

• Le Béage
> Visit the village
> Views of the Ardèche mountains

Les flots de la Loire sauvage à Goudet
Day 4: Le Béage - Goudet – 44 km - D+900m

A nature trail during which you will discover the volcanic lake of Issarlès (a beautiful swimming spot). The route will take you to the villages of La Chapelle Graouillouse and Lafarre, where you will return to the Haute-Loire region. You will continue to discover two stunningly beautiful villages: Arlempdes (its marquis, along with Pilatre de Rozier, was the first balloonist in 1783) and Goudet.

Discover:
• Issarlès
> The volcanic lake formed by a violent volcanic eruption (138m deep)
> The walk around the lake leads to a troglodyte dwelling

• Lafarre
> The promontory village
> The Mariac Tower
> Cros de Lafarre Castle
> Its church and its bell tower

• Arlempdes
> Awarded the Most Beautiful Villages of France label
> The remains of its castle perched on a volcanic peak overlooking the Loire. > The Ecomuseum
> Saint-Pierre Church

• Goudet
> Stroll through the heart of the village center and discover the polychrome rooftops
> Walk along the path that runs along the Loire and leads you to wild gorges
> Beaufort Castle

La magnifique cascade de la Beaume dans son écrin de verdure
Day 5: Goudet – Le Puy-en-Velay – 45 km -D+720m

You'll climb to admire the Wild Loire from the road that leads you to Camp d'Antoune (Gallo-Roman remains) before reaching Ponteils and its basalt flows and the Moulin du Rocher. The route will then take you to Saint-Martin-de-Fugères before returning to the Loire and the village of Solignac-sur-Loire, which overlooks the river. You'll then reach the town of Le Puy-en-Velay for your last night, unless you prefer to cancel.

- 6-day stay: Bed and breakfast accommodation.
- 5-day stay: You may choose not to stay in Le Puy-en-Velay; your luggage can be collected from 5:00 PM at our transport partner's location in Le Puy.

Places to Discover:

• Saint-Martin-de-Fugères
> The church

• Ponteils
> The basalt columns of the Moulin du Rocher

• Solignac-sur-Loire
> The Beaume waterfall, harmoniously blending volcanic rock and tumultuous water.
> The ramparts of Solignac, overlooking the Loire Valley

Les rues colorées du Puy-en-Velay
Day 6: Le Puy-en-Velay

End of services after breakfast

Prices include:

  • Accommodation in a double, twin, or multiple-occupancy room
  • Half-board except the final stopover (6-day stay) in Le Puy, booked on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Tourist taxes,
  • Luggage transfer between stages (max. 1 bag of 13 kg per person – dimensions: length + width + height < 120 cm
  • Access to the guidance app and travel diary,
  • Access to the navigation and travel log app
  • Route map (one copy per travel group)
  • Telephone support

Extras

  • Electric bike rental or a non-electric bike rental, two rear panniers, a helmet, a light repair kit,
  • Multrisks and cancellation insurance
  • Single supplement

This price does not include

  • Transportation and transfers to the starting point Meals other than those listed in the description
  • Multirisks and annulation insurance
  • Parking Bike rental
  • GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks for our routes – guidance via the app)
  • Drinks, spending money, any visits or activities
  • Generally, anything not listed in the “This price includes” section

Administration fees

  • €12/person if ordered online
  • €15/person via quote

As an optional extra, L’Autre Chemin offers:

You want to rent a bike

  • Electric-assisted hybrid bike rental with two panniers + guarantee Sereine mind: +€155/bike
  • Non-electric hybrid bike rental with two  panniers + guarantee Sereine mind: +€100/bike

If you plan to travel with your bike, please ensure certain points: If it is an electric-assisted bike, the battery must have a minimum power of 500 watts. Please note: the battery must be removable; if not, please contact us to check availability. It is imperative that your bike is in perfect working order before departure. Remember to have it serviced. Please bring a suitable repair kit and a smartphone mount for the handlebars. Our routes combine small roads and trails; your bike must be a hybrid, mountain bike, or gravel bike with suitable tires. City and road bikes are therefore prohibited. Our trips are more or less sporty, and a basket on the handlebars is to be avoided, as are large city bags. You’ll be riding on trails, and this type of equipment risks destabilizing the bike’s balance. Any doubts? Contact us.

L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you the best of Haute-Loire and to ensure that each stopover is an opportunity to discover the architecture, the art of living, the gastronomy, but also a moment of exchange and meeting.

Half-board

When you choose a trip offered on a half-board basis, generally including dinner (single set menu in most cases) and breakfast (please note breakfast may be continental or international-style depending on the accommodation), we invite you to let us know of any food allergies or special dietary requirements. Establishments are normally able to cater to travellers:

  • with confirmed allergies (which may involve the immune system, with a risk of potentially severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock), such as allergies to honey, tree nuts or shellfish
  • following a vegetarian diet (due to its complexity and the significant constraints it places on accommodation providers, we are unfortunately unable to organise trips catering to a vegan diet)
  • following a diet for religious reasons

For intolerances (difficulty of the digestive system to process certain foods, with symptoms that are purely digestive, such as lactose or gluten) and dietary restrictions: we will inform accommodation providers in advance. However, some providers may find it difficult to accommodate the full range of increasingly common dietary requirements. We thank you in advance for adapting to the meals offered during your trip, and for bringing along any dietary supplements, gluten-free bread, etc., if needed.

Please note: additional charges may apply for special diets, depending on the conditions set by certain accommodation providers.

By Train

The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your cycling trip to Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a very pleasant sight.

By Car

Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel guide!

  • Paris: 515km
  • Lyon: 134km
  • Marseille: 300km
  • Toulouse: 350km
  • Montpellier: 250km

Where to park in Le Puy?

  • Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 & 14 days: €100/14 days – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
  • Le Puy above-ground car parks – Rates: €10/week . Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial center. Tel. +33 4 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m & length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
    • Bertrand de Doue Parking: Parking without video 
    • Estrouilhas Parking: Parking without video 
    • Quincieu Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video
    • Montredon Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
    • Dunant Parking (free bus service to the city center)
    • Train Station Parking: Video-monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours
  • Carmes Parking: Video-monitored parking – €40 / week – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
  • Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – (near Ibis Styles & Budget) – 7 days: €40 – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
  • Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €35

 

Prices given for information purposes only, subject to change without notice

Whether you want to book your stay or ask us any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.








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