The best cycling routes around Villard-De-Lans

The region offers a wide network of touring cycling routes. On komoot, you can find over 50 routes, with 32 considered difficult, 19 moderate, and 4 easy, catering to various skill levels.

Yes, while many routes are challenging, there are options for easier rides. The Via Vercors is a gentler, 50km-long cycle route, forbidden to motorized vehicles, connecting villages of the Vercors 4 Montagnes, perfect for a relaxed family outing. You can also find 4 easy routes on komoot, which are generally shorter and have less elevation gain.

Villard-de-Lans, nestled in the Vercors Regional Natural Park, offers incredibly diverse terrain. You'll encounter mountainous roads, deep gorges like the Gorges de la Bourne, extensive forests, and high plateaus with limestone formations. The routes feature significant climbs and varied landscapes, from alpine views to areas with Mediterranean influences.

The Vercors region is rich in natural beauty. The spectacular Gorges de la Bourne offer majestic views and numerous photo opportunities, especially along routes like the Villard-de-Lans – Gorges de la Bourne loop. The Valchevrière lookout, featured in the Valchevrière lookout – Col d'Herbouilly loop, provides panoramic views. You might also encounter highlights like the Saint-Michel Peak or the Moucherotte Summit.

Yes, many of the touring cycling routes around Villard-de-Lans are circular, allowing you to start and end in the same location. Examples include the challenging Col d'Herbouilly and Gorges de la Bourne Loop, or the The Méaudret gorges – Meaudre loop.

May and July are particularly popular months for cycling in the region. The Vercors experiences a diverse climate, with Mediterranean influences meeting those from the northwest, making spring and summer ideal for enjoying the varied flora and generally pleasant cycling conditions.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 130 reviews. Reviewers often praise the spectacular gorges, high plateaus, and dense forests, as well as the challenging climbs and diverse landscapes that make for a rewarding cycling experience.

Yes, Villard-de-Lans is part of significant long-distance routes. The challenging P'tites Routes du Soleil includes a section from Grenoble to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte before reaching the Vercors Plateau, and another crossing the Vercors from Villard-de-Lans to Die. The Tour of the Quatre Montagnes is also an impressive 127 km route showcasing the best of road cycling in the Vercors.

Beyond cycling, the Vercors offers a wide array of outdoor pursuits. You can explore the unique geology through caving and canyoning, with sites like Choranche or the Corrençon Natural Icehouse. Hiking is popular, and you can even find waterfalls like the Moulin-Marquis Waterfall. For a cultural experience, visit the village of Pont-en-Royans or Lans-en-Vercors.

While specific public transport access points for each route can vary, Villard-de-Lans is a recognized cycling town, and the Vercors region generally has some public transport options connecting its villages. For detailed information on reaching specific trailheads, it's advisable to check local bus schedules or regional transport services.

Villard-de-Lans, being a popular outdoor destination, offers various parking facilities within the town and near common trailheads. Look for designated parking areas in the village center or at the start of major routes. Many routes, being circular, will bring you back to your starting point.