CYCLING THE RIVER LOIRE

The 1370km Way of St. Martin cycling route along the River Loire in France, is described in this guidebook in twenty-three comfortable stages. It includes a dramatic approach from Orange in Provence to the source of the River Loire at Le Gerbier de Jonc, then a route alongside the whole of the river with its vineyards and castles to the Atlantic at St Nazaire.

Seasons:
Best in the late spring and late summer.Severe weather conditions in winter, especially in the Massif Central. High summer can be very busy and hot, with flies and midgies.

Centres:
Orange, Chateauneuf du Pape, Aubenas, Vals les Bains, Goudet, Le Puy en Velay, Roanne, Marcigny, Nevers, Sancerre, Briare, Orleans, Tours, Angers, Nantes, St Nazaire are all passed on the route.

Difficulty:
A long but rewarding route. The first section of the route entails some serious hill climbing, the central section is mainly easy and flat, while the last section is surprisingly hilly.

Must See:
Dramatic vistas from high above the Ardeche Gorge, lazy days of flat riding, the chance to explore vineyards producing some or the world’s finest vintages and the great collection of castles and palaces which line the river’s banks.