The best cycling routes around Les Alliés

Les Alliés offers a wide selection of touring cycling routes, with over 150 options available on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, from easy rides to more challenging ascents.

Yes, Les Alliés has nearly 20 easy touring cycling routes perfect for beginners. These often follow converted railway paths, known as greenways, which provide smooth surfaces and consistent, gentle gradients. A good option to start with is the Pic nic 🙂🍷🚴🏻‍♂️ – Greenway of the train path loop from Montbenoît, an easy 10.1-mile (16.2 km) route.

For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, Les Alliés features over 90 difficult routes. These often include significant elevation gains and traverse mountain passes, offering expansive views. Consider the Col sur le Mont – Morteau loop from Hauterive-la-Fresse, a difficult 40.0-mile (64.4 km) path with substantial climbing.

The region's touring cycling routes are generally best enjoyed from spring through autumn. During these seasons, the weather is typically mild, and the landscapes are vibrant. Summer offers longer daylight hours, while spring and autumn provide cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage.

Many of the touring cycling routes in Les Alliés are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. For example, the popular Greenway of the train path – View of Montbenoît loop from Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont is a 30.9-mile (49.7 km) circular route that follows a converted railway line.

The routes in Les Alliés often pass by notable landmarks and natural features. You can encounter historical sites like Joux Castle and its surrounding viewpoints, or enjoy the scenic beauty of Col sur le Mont. The region also features charming settlements like Pontarlier and La Cluse-et-Mijoux.

The touring cycling experience in Les Alliés is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 90 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the diverse terrain, which includes pleasant greenways, challenging mountain passes, and picturesque lake-side paths, particularly around Lac de Saint-Point.

Absolutely. Many routes in Les Alliés provide stunning vistas, especially those that traverse mountain passes or skirt around bodies of water. The Route du Lac de Saint-Point – Col sur le Mont loop from Verrières-de-Joux, for instance, offers varied terrain including beautiful lake views and panoramic mountain scenery.

Parking is generally available in or near the towns and villages that serve as starting points for many routes. For example, routes often begin from locations like Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont, Hauterive-la-Fresse, or Verrières-de-Joux, where you can typically find public parking facilities. It's always a good idea to check local signage upon arrival.

Yes, the region offers several family-friendly options, particularly on the greenways. These converted railway paths are generally flat and well-maintained, making them suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Look for routes marked as 'easy' for the most suitable family experiences.

Many routes in Les Alliés pass through or near charming villages and towns where you can find cafes, bakeries, and restaurants. Larger towns like Pontarlier, which is a highlight in the region, offer numerous options for refreshments and meals. Planning your route to include these stops can enhance your cycling experience.

Touring cycling in Les Alliés offers a diverse range of landscapes. You'll experience the gentle gradients of converted railway greenways, the rolling hills and valleys characteristic of the region, and more challenging ascents through mountain passes. Scenic routes around bodies of water, such as Lac de Saint-Point, also provide picturesque views.