The best traffic-free bike rides around Avallon

There are nearly 40 traffic-free gravel bike trails around Avallon, offering a wide range of options for gravel biking enthusiasts. These routes primarily traverse the beautiful Morvan Regional Natural Park, known for its extensive network of forest roads and quiet country paths.

Yes, while many routes are moderate to difficult, there are options suitable for beginners. The Morvan Regional Natural Park offers varied terrain, and you can find easier paths, especially around the lakes. For a moderately challenging but accessible ride, consider the Pousseaux loop, which covers just over 21 km with manageable elevation.

The terrain in the Morvan Regional Natural Park, surrounding Avallon, is diverse. You'll encounter a mix of forest roads, earthen paths, and quiet country roads. The region features rolling hills and a granite massif, meaning routes can range from relatively flat sections to challenging climbs with significant elevation gains. For example, the Valleys loop features nearly 480 meters of elevation gain over 35 km, offering a good workout.

Yes, many of the traffic-free gravel bike routes around Avallon are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Pousseaux loop, the Valleys loop, and the Puisotin loop, which offers a 26 km ride with over 400 meters of elevation.

The trails often lead through the stunning Morvan Regional Natural Park, offering views of dense mixed forests, rolling hills, and artificial lakes. You might encounter picturesque spots like the Cousin Valley, which Avallon overlooks, or the beautiful Morvan lakes such as Lac des Settons. The Lac des Settons North – Settons Lake Dam loop is a great way to experience the lake scenery.

While the gravel routes focus on natural landscapes, the Avallon region is rich in history. Avallon itself is a medieval town with ramparts and the 12th-century Collegiate Church of Saint-Lazare. Nearby, you can find impressive castles like Château de Tanlay or Ancy-le-Franc Castle, which could be visited as part of a longer trip or a detour from your ride.

The Morvan Regional Natural Park is beautiful year-round, but spring and autumn generally offer the most pleasant conditions for gravel biking, with mild temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summer can also be excellent, especially around the lakes for post-ride relaxation. While winter riding is possible, some sections might require a mountain bike in wet or snowy conditions due to the earthen paths.

Avallon itself is well-connected by train from Paris, making it a convenient starting point. From Avallon, you can access many trailheads directly. For routes deeper within the Morvan Regional Natural Park, local bus services might be limited, so planning your route to start directly from Avallon or using a car to reach specific trailheads is often recommended.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 3.6 stars. Reviewers often praise the blissful tranquility of the extensive forest and mountain roads, the complete change of scenery from urban life, and the diverse landscapes of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, especially the beautiful lakes and rolling hills.

Yes, Avallon serves as a gateway to more extensive gravel biking adventures. The Morvan Regional Natural Park offers a 400-kilometer itinerary that begins in Avallon and is split into seven stages. There's also a challenging 225 km "Avallon Loop" with 4000m of elevation, which also starts from the Avallon train station. You can find more details on this longer loop via Burgund Tourismus.

Many of the quieter country roads and less challenging paths within the Morvan Regional Natural Park can be suitable for families, especially those with some biking experience. Look for routes with lower elevation gain and shorter distances. The extensive network allows for customization, so you can often find sections that are relatively flat and away from traffic, perfect for a family outing.