The best cycling routes around Saint-Étienne-Lès-Remiremont

There are over 300 touring cycling routes in the Saint-Étienne-Lès-Remiremont area, offering a wide range of options for different skill levels and preferences. These include routes on dedicated greenways, through forests, and over mountainous terrain.

The routes around Saint-Étienne-Lès-Remiremont cater to all abilities. You'll find approximately 30 easy routes, over 110 moderate routes, and nearly 200 difficult routes, ensuring options for leisurely rides and challenging climbs alike.

Yes, the region offers several easy routes perfect for beginners or family outings. A great example is the Loop of the route of the 4 passes, an easy 14.7-mile (23.7 km) trail with gentle elevation changes, exploring varied local landscapes. The Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges also provides extensive traffic-free paths ideal for relaxed rides.

You can expect a diverse range of terrain. Many routes utilize the well-maintained Voie Verte greenways, built on former railway lines, offering flat and smooth surfaces through scenic valleys. Other routes venture into the mountainous terrain of the Southern Vosges, featuring extensive forests, rounded peaks, and more significant elevation changes.

Absolutely. The region is part of the broader Vosges Massif, which offers significant long-distance options. The Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges itself extends over 50 kilometers. For multi-day adventures, routes like the Tour des Ballons des Vosges and the Traversée du Massif Vosgien (TMV) provide signed routes, often combining paved and unpaved sections, with substantial elevation changes suitable for bikepacking.

The area is rich in natural beauty. You can cycle past picturesque waterfalls like the Great Tendon Waterfall, the Little Waterfall of Tendon, or the Géhard Waterfall. For panoramic views, consider routes that pass by the View from La Brostille (862 m). The Crosery Gorges also offer stunning scenery.

Yes, many routes in the area are designed as loops. For instance, the Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges – Green path between rocks loop from Saint-Nabord is a moderate 43.1-mile (69.4 km) circular path. Another popular option is the Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges – Crosery Gorges loop from Remiremont, which is 31.8 miles (51.2 km) long.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 500 reviews. Cyclists often praise the well-maintained greenways like the Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges for their accessibility and scenic beauty, as well as the diverse landscapes ranging from serene forests to challenging mountain sections.

Yes, the region is characterized by its rivers and valleys. The Moselle river rises in the Vosges, and its wide valley floors, along with those of its tributaries, are often utilized for greenways. Routes like The Moselle – Sandstone boulders at Les Archettes loop from Saint-Nabord offer cycling alongside the river, providing pleasant conditions and picturesque views.

Yes, you can incorporate historical sites into your rides. The mysterious Pont des Fées (Fairies' Bridge), a classified historical monument, is situated in a magnificent forest between Saint-Amé and Saint-Étienne-lès-Remiremont. While direct passage over the bridge is restricted, a deviation offers splendid views. Other local points of interest like the Chapelle Sainte-Sabine and the Prieuré d'Hérival are often accessible via cycling paths.

Yes, electric bikes are available for hire in the region. This can make the hilly terrain of the Vosges mountains more accessible to a wider range of cyclists, and there is a network of charging stations to support longer e-bike tours.

The best seasons for touring cycling are typically spring, summer, and early autumn. During these months, the weather is generally mild, and the natural landscapes are at their most vibrant, offering comfortable conditions for exploring the greenways, forests, and mountain paths.