Français
Deutsch
NederlandsAlong the ViaRhôna, from one bank to the other
21 kilometers of cycling, following the Rhône River from one bank to the other, on a developed, signposted, and safe bike route. A route perfectly suited for family cycling, forming a lovely loop along the old towpaths on the banks of the “King River.”
Starting from Tournon-sur-Rhône (parking at Quai Farconnet), follow the ViaRhôna cycle route southbound. If you’re not great with directions, just follow the current! In Mauves, you’ll ride alongside Lac de Pierrelles, then continue through the heart of the orchards. Upon arriving in Glun, the path continues to the dam, where you’ll briefly join a local departmental road.
The ViaRhôna then leads you to the edge of the Bassin des Musards, a perfect spot for a lunch or snack break. It’s time to get back on the D220 departmental road for about 1 km. After crossing the bridge, head down to the left bank of the Rhône, this time riding against the current, towards Tain l’Hermitage.
With the Hermitage Hill in sight, the ride continues peacefully, winding along the curves of the wild Rhône. The aroma of chocolate will guide you to the unmissable Cité du Chocolat, the perfect excuse for a delicious and cultural stop.
Between Vineyards and Orchards on an Electric Bike
This route is taken from the guide « Roulez branché – 20 Electric Bike Rides in Ardèche Hermitage». It’s a 39 km itinerary with a positive elevation gain of 570 meters, and takes around 3 hours to complete. This panoramic circuit offers stunning views of the Rhône Valley during the first part of the ride, with a return journey that follows the flow of the river. Starting from the village center of Gervans (at the town hall square), you’ll quickly find yourself wearing the King of the Mountain jersey, as you climb up to Route des Planards, rewarded with a beautiful panorama. The electric assistance allows you to tackle the climb with ease, while enjoying the landscape. In the middle of the Rhône, you’ll spot the famous Table du Roy, named after Saint Louis, who is said to have stopped here for lunch. The viewpoints keep coming: Méjeans, Pierre Aiguille… each offering breathtaking views of the Rhône’s winding curves, vineyards, and orchards. A must-see stop is the Chapelle de l’Hermitage, perched in the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious vineyards, birthplace of the legendary Hermitage AOC.
You then ride back down into the town center of Tain-l’Hermitage. Take a refreshing break at Place du Taurobole, with its fountains and mist sprayers, before crossing the Rhône via the Marc Seguin footbridge. At the end of the bridge, turn right and join the famous ViaRhôna cycle route, which links Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. Follow this route until you reach the village of Arras-sur-Rhône. From there, continue along the D800, also known as the route of the dam. Then, turn right onto Route Saint Antoine to reach Erôme. Cross the National Road 7, continue straight until Pont Rouge, then turn right onto Chemin des Impaillots, which will take you back to Gervans.
Enhance your ride with gourmet stops at local wineries along the way, and take a break to visit the Château de Tournon. A day on an electric bike, the perfect combo of panoramic views, peaceful countryside, local delights, cultural gems, and authentic experiences.
A Day of Cycling on the Legendary Routes of the Ardéchoise
Ah, the Ardéchoise! If you're a fan of long-distance cycling, you've surely heard of this iconic cyclo-sportive race. As Europe’s largest amateur cycling event, it welcomes over 15,000 passionate cyclists each year. A true celebration of cycling, it takes place in Saint-Félicien, a small Ardèche village of 1,200 inhabitants.
Spending a day cycling along the Ardéchoise routes might just inspire you to sign up for the next edition.
Ride these legendary roads by following « le Doux », an 85 km loop starting from Saint-Félicien. But don’t be fooled by the name—this route isn’t so gentle, with a total elevation gain of 1,917 meters! Along quiet, scenic backroads, you'll climb no less than five mountain passes, including two spectacular ascents offering breathtaking views of the Massif Central and the Alps. You start from the Maison de l’Ardéchoise, jumping straight into the action by following the D273 toward the Col du Buisson. Then it's downhill to Lamastre and Désaignes, a charming village ranked among the most beautiful in Ardèche. The climb resumes via Labatie d’Andaure, followed by Lalouvesc. Finally, the descent begins! One last effort as you follow the D273 back to Saint-Félicien, passing through the picturesque village of Pailharès. This route is just one of the 93 itineraries of the Ardéchoise. A wide selection of challenging routes, famous passes, and epic climbs for cycling enthusiasts. Ready for the cyclo-sportive challenge? Sign up here.
Mountain Biking Adventure: Les Balcons de l’Hermitage
Mountain biking enthusiasts will be thrilled in Ardèche Hermitage, which boasts 34 trails and 740 km of marked paths, spread across two certified MTB-FFC areas: La Drôme des Collines and Le Pays de Saint-Félicien. Treat yourself to the freedom and exhilaration of exploring spectacular singletracks!
The Balcons de l’Hermitage, is a beautiful 17.8 km route with a 550 m elevation gain, offering a technical ride starting from the village of Tain-l’Hermitage. It’s a stunning trail that winds through the famous Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage vineyards—a truly intoxicating ride! Start from the Chayla Park parking lot in Tain-l’Hermitage. Follow Rue de l’Hermite, pass under the railway, and continue on Chemin de l’Hermite to reach the Cave de Tain. Begin your climb on the D241 toward Larnage. At the first bend, cross the road to take the cobbled path on the opposite side—a rewarding ascent through the heart of the Colline de l’Hermitage. Continue in the direction of Crozes-Hermitage. As you enter the village, turn right towards the “Les Balcons de l’Hermitage” neighborhood. The road quickly becomes a trail. Climb to the area known as Méjeans, where you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the majestic Rhône Valley, before descending toward Gervans. In Val de Gervans, turn left onto Rue du Ruisseau, then follow Chemin de Voussères to complete your loop.
A scenic route unfolds through the vineyards, running alongside the railway line for about 1 kilometer, before reaching the village center of Crozes-Hermitage. Just before the bridge, turn right onto Route de l’Hermite. At the crossroads, go straight ahead to reach the slopes of the Hermitage hills. A must-see: the view from the chapel, which has belonged to the Paul Jaboulet Aîné estate since 1919. The chapel was founded in 1224 by knight Gaspard Henri de Stérimberg, who lived there as a hermit—hence the name "Hermitage"! To finish off, enjoy a technical descent through the vine rows—a thrilling end to the ride. And yes, cycling builds up an appetite! A tasty tip: make a small detour to the Valrhona store, in the center of Tain-l’Hermitage, to sample their famous chocolates.
Useful info for cycling enthusiasts
If you love exploring by bike, discover our full range of cycling trails on our website: https://rando-ardeche-hermitage.fr/
. Whether you're into road cycling, mountain biking, or enduro, share active moments in Ardèche Hermitage, a vast natural playground perfect for a day trip or a full cycling holiday.
More into e-bikes? Our guide « 20 Electric Bike Rides in Ardèche Hermitage », is available for just 2 euros at our visitor centers, with downloadable sheets and GPX files also free on our website.
Planning a bikepacking adventure? Free maps of the greenways—ViaRhôna, Dolce Via and Vallée de l’Isère—are also available at our offices. And don’t miss Sidonie’s story, sharing her family getaway, combining the Train de l’Ardèche and the Dolce Via..
Need expert tips? Damien, our local cycling expert, is always happy to help with advice and recommendations.
So why wait? Book your Ah! Bicyclette holiday in Ardèche Hermitage ;)
Stay a little longer and enjoy a weekend on two wheels!
