Auvergne Rhône-Alpes cycling guides and maps

A region between volcanoes, lakes and great rivers

Cycling through the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a unique opportunity to discover several unique landscapes, from the Auvergne volcanoes to Lake Annecy, Alpine valleys, and Vercors plateaus. It’s a region where water is omnipresent, with thermal springs, glacial lakes, and wild rivers. Cycling through the Puy de Dôme, the Cantal Mountains, and the Ardèche Gorges offer an impressive diversity of scenery.

The large mountain lakes, such as Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy, and Lake Paladru, are bordered by safe cycle paths, making them ideal for family outings or active outings. Their crystal-clear waters also offer beautiful swimming and picnic breaks, which are very popular in the hot summer months.

But it’s also a land of well-being. Numerous spa resorts dot the region and can be interesting stops on a cycling route: Vichy, Le Mont-Dore, Chaudes-Aigues, Evian-les-Bains… They offer relaxing treatments, which can be perfect for recovering after a day of cycling, right?

In terms of heritage, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is full of treasures, with hilltop villages, Romanesque architecture, and gastronomy. For example, Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a key cultural and gourmet destination for cycle tourists.

Whether you’re heading out for a bike ride in Auvergne, a family getaway on a greenway, or a sporty crossing of the Alps, there’s something for everyone.

The great cycling routes in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

• The ViaRhôna: From Geneva to the Mediterranean, spanning 850 km, this is the region’s most famous cycle route. The route runs along the Rhône, passing through Lyon, Vienne, Valence, and then on to the Camargue. We highly recommend this route.
• La Dolce Via : A 90 km greenway in Ardèche, between Lamastre and La Voulte-sur-Rhône, on a former railway line. Ideal for a weekend getaway.
• La Via Fluvia : A greenway between the Loire and the Rhône Valley, perfect for a gentle stroll through volcanic peaks and picturesque villages.
• La Voie Bleue : Along the Saône, from the Luxembourg border to Lyon. It connects the north and south with complete peace of mind.
• La Via Allier: A new cycle route following the wild and peaceful Allier River, between the confluence of the Loire and Langogne.
• GTMC – Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike : 800 km of trails between volcanoes, plateaus, and forests.
• Grande Traversée de l’Ardèche by mountain bike : 350 km in unspoiled nature, through mountains and gorges.
• Route des Grandes Alpes by bike : Legendary and sporty, it connects Thonon to Nice, crossing the most famous passes.
• GTJ – Grandes Traversées du Jura (biking and mountain biking) : From the Jura to the Alps, a beautiful bridge between the mountains.
• La Belle Via : Between Culoz, Lake Bourget, and Annecy to Valence, a gentle alternative to the ViaRhôna.*

Our essentials for well-equipped cycling

• The Via Allier – the Auvergne cycle route from Chamina : Great cycling routes on the Via Allier, the Auvergne cycle route from Nevers to Langogne, covering 455 km of routes up to the Haut Allier gorges.
• You can find several ING maps that are essential tools for finding your way, such as the IGN Top100 map – D13 – Bouches-du-Rhône.
• The ViaRhôna, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean from Routard

And for mountain bike enthusiasts :

• Gravel Map in Isère – 30 trails for all levels: 30 100% Gravel trails in Isère, tracks (downloadable) on an IGN 1:75,000 map.

An expanding cycle network

With a network of nearly 3,000 km of marked trails, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is considered a major destination for cycling tourism.

The former railway lines converted into greenways in Auvergne facilitate access for all. The development of shared paths, consistent signage, and the emergence of networks connected to the EuroVelo network, such as EuroVelo 17, are contributing to the growth of cycling in Auvergne and the Alps.

Mountain bike enthusiasts, touring bike enthusiasts in Auvergne, and mountain bikers in Auvergne will find an ideal playground for their next adventure here.

With the help of the specialized guides and maps available at Cartovélo, every cyclist can experience their own adventure. So, has this made you want to explore this region?