The best cycling routes around Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché

There are over 90 touring cycling routes in the Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché area. These routes navigate a diverse landscape of forests, ponds, and hilly terrain, offering options for various skill levels.

The region offers varied terrain, from pleasant gravel surfaces along the Canal de Nantes à Brest to more challenging hilly sections. You'll find a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult routes, with 15 easy, 48 moderate, and 30 difficult options available.

Yes, the region is home to the renowned Côte de Mûr-de-Bretagne, a classic feature of the Tour de France. This steep ascent presents a significant challenge for experienced cyclists looking to test their limits.

You can explore the ecologically important Gorges de Poulancre, the tranquil Poulancre and La Martyre Ponds, and the impressive Guerlédan Dam. Many routes also follow sections of the historic Canal de Nantes à Brest, leading to sites like Bon-Repos Abbey.

Absolutely. Lac de Guerlédan, Brittany's largest artificial lake, is a prominent feature in the area. Consider the difficult View of Lake Guerlédan – View of Lake Guerlédan loop from Guerlédan, which offers stunning vistas of the lake and its surrounding forests.

The region's diverse landscapes are enjoyable throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, while summer provides longer daylight hours. The varied terrain, including canal-side trails and forested areas, can be explored in different seasons.

While specific 'family-friendly' routes aren't explicitly highlighted, the region's canal-side trails, such as sections of the Canal de Nantes à Brest, often provide flatter, gentler surfaces suitable for families. Look for routes classified as 'easy' or 'moderate' for more relaxed rides.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 190 reviews. Reviewers often praise the mix of natural beauty, varied topography, and the well-maintained canal paths and forest trails that define the cycling experience here.

Yes, many routes in Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Rigole d'Hilvern – Goirbal lock no. 62 loop from Saint-Guen and the Tresklé Lock – Canal de Nantes à Brest loop from Guerlédan.

Yes, the region is known for its historic waterways. A significant portion of the Canal de Nantes à Brest runs through the area, offering pleasant cycling on gravel surfaces. You can also explore the Rigole d'Hilvern, a historic canal system, on routes like the La Rigole d'Hilvern Greenway – Cascade Lock loop from Saint-Guen.

One of the longer routes is the difficult La Rigole d'Hilvern Greenway – Cascade Lock loop from Saint-Guen, covering approximately 108.7 km (67.5 miles) with significant elevation gain.