Old railway
Short trip
100 Km
I begin / Family
Lavoûte-sur-Loire
Annonay
Linking the Loire to the Rhône, Via Fluvia is a cycle route laid out along a former railway line. Riding by the Velay area’s volcanoes and through the département (county) of Ardèche, enjoy varied atmospheres and unspoilt nature. ‘Slalom’ around the Velay’s ‘sucs’ (ancient dormant volcanoes), take in great views down wild valleys and gorges and cross the green heights of the Pilat Mountains. The historical connection to the railway is still clear all the way along; the steam train the ‘Velay Express’ still operates in these parts, a major draw. The route is unbroken from Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Annonay, but at time of writing, the section from Riotord to Saint-Marcel-les-Annonay is along a provisional stretch on roads and isn’t signposted… but the former railway line along here should be laid out for cyclists in due course.

Elevation of the route

1212 m 973 m

Waytypes of the cycle route

Cycle path: 73,38 km By road: 28,37 km Inconnu: 15,04 km

Surface of the cycle route

Lisse: 84,32 km Rugueux: 3,52 km Inconnu: 28,94 km

Via Fluvia: 100km of greenways connecting the Loire to the Rhône

Signposting and layout along the Via Fluvia

The Via Fluvia cycle route is signposted with its own logo, except between Maisonneuve (2km outside Riotord) and Saint-Marcel-les-Annonay, where a provisional section of route that isn’t signposted takes you along roads for the time being, until that stretch of old railway track and Le Tracol Tunnel have been suitably adapted for cyclists. Remember to download the relevant .pdf files and .gpx tracks for the route.

Trains and railway stations serving this cycle route

  • Lavoûte-sur-Loire: TER regional line Le Puy-en-Velay <> Saint-Etienne
    Connection to the regional TER line Le Puy-en-Velay <> Clermont-Ferrand and Le Puy-en-Velay <> Saint-Etienne
  • Oumey train station: starting point for the tourist train, the Velay Express. Reservations for you and your bike obligatory

Other cycle routes linked to the Via Fluvia

Did you like this?

You may also be interested in this...
Plan your trip on this cycle route
favorite_border
20,57 Km
Old railway, Nature & small heritage
I begin / Family

Yssingeaux / Raucoules

The green ribbon of the Via Fluvia continues to unfold along the old railway line here, converted for the enjoyment of [...]

favorite_border
15,39 Km
Old railway, Nature & small heritage
I begin / Family

Raucoules / Riotord

This Via Fluvia stage brings to mind the great railway age of the past. Riding through the heart of the countryside, [...]

favorite_border
20,81 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Riotord / Bourg-Argental

The Via Fluvia follows a provisional route along this stage, going via quiet roads, while awaiting the transformation [...]

favorite_border
14,39 Km
Nature & small heritage
I cycle often

Bourg-Argental / Annonay

The Via Fluvia cycle route leaves the Monts du Pilat to enter the county of Ardèche. A provisional route takes you [...]

Travellers’ reviews

on Via Fluvia
Ratings from internet users (0) 0,0
Options
Caption
Cycle path
Links
By road
Alternatives
Mountain bike itinerary
Provisional itinerary
connected route
Caption
connected route
Caption
European route (EuroVelo)
National, regional or local route
Cycling circuit
Mountainbike route
Enlarge map Reduce map