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Via Fluvia
Official route
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.
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.
Other cycle routes linked to the Via Fluvia
- Grande Traversée de l'Ardèche VTT (the two cycle routes share a stretch of track from the parish of Annonay up to the place called Les Seux at Boulieu-lès-Annonay)
Gradients and elevation
Ascents: 1241m
Descents: 1473m
Lowest point: 328m
Highest point: 1027m
Slope breakdown
4km steep descent (< -5%)
32km gentle descent (-5% to -1%)
38km flat (-1% to 2%)
18km climb (2% to 5%)
2km hard climb (5% to 8%)
Road types
67km (71%) of cycle paths
27km (29%) of shared roads
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
7km (9%) of provisional itinerary
Surface
84km (90%) of smooth surface
4km (16%) of rough surface
6km (26%) of undetermined surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
Trains and transport on the 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.
View infrastructure on the map
Reviews for Via Fluvia
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Check-list du voyageur
The 5 stages of Via Fluvia
1 Lavoûte-sur-Loire / Yssingeaux
Start your Via Fluvia adventure in the Auvergne’s Velay area, marked by old volcanoes and gorges, the powerful young Loire cutting its way through these lands. Enjoy a last look at what the French call Europe’s last great wild river and the Château de Lavoûte-Polignac. The way rises gently up from the Loire, going along stretches of quiet roads and greenways, through scenery that wouldn’t look amiss in a Western. At Rosières, the Corboeuf Ravines, with steep colourful sides, look like a little slice of Colorado. Racing along on your loyal ‘steed’, imagine chasing an ‘iron horse’ above the Suissesse Gorges! Reaching the end of this melodramatic stage, you zigzag around the great Sucs du Velay; these ancient, rounded volcanoes will be practically the sole witnesses of your progress through these magical parts.
2 Yssingeaux / Raucoules
The green ribbon of the Via Fluvia continues to unfold along the old railway line here, converted for the enjoyment of both cyclists and hikers. From Yssingeaux to Raucoules, the route crosses open countryside, still marked by the rounded shapes of the area’s sucs, ancient dormant volcanoes. Along the way, take the time to wander around the charming village of Grazac, home to a magnificent Cluniac priory. Reaching Lapte, leave your bike on the square in front of the church to climb to the top of the belfry. Enjoy the beautiful 360° views over the Velay Mountains, then get back on the greenway to reach Oumey Station, starting point for the Velay Express, the last working train service in the area.
3 Raucoules / Riotord
This Via Fluvia stage brings to mind the great railway age of the past. Riding through the heart of the countryside, you follow in the tracks of an astonishing railway heritage, with its former stations, its viaducts, aqueducts and tunnels. The last original working station is the Gare d’Oumey, starting point for the steam train, the Velay Express. Even if you don’t embark on a journey on this locomotive, enjoy watching it set out, the curls of smoke rising from it as it gathers speed. The train’s whistles still ringing in your head, cycle on to Riotord, following Les Dunières Gorges in a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
4 Riotord / Bourg-Argental
The Via Fluvia follows a provisional route along this stage, going via quiet roads, while awaiting the transformation of the former railway line and Le Tracol Tunnel. This stretch is steep, going up and down a lot, and marked by high-altitude landscapes. Cross via the Col du Tracol, a pass at 1,023m, to reach the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat. Here, nature is king, dense forests alternating with green meadows filled with flowers in spring, and, in summer, with cows. The town of Bourg-Argental, with its hotels and restaurants, makes an ideal stop at which to recharge your batteries.
5 Bourg-Argental / Annonay
The Via Fluvia cycle route leaves the Monts du Pilat to enter the county of Ardèche. A provisional route takes you along quiet roads to Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, via Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette, while awaiting the transformation of the former railway line on the border of the county of La Loire. Riding on beside the Deûme River, a lovely greenway leads gently to the town of Annonay. This area saw the birth of many revolutionary inventions in the 18th and 19th centuries – hot-air balloons, tubular boilers (precursors of locomotives) and suspension bridges – still in use today. At Davézieux, visit the Musée des Papeteries Canson et Montgolfier, set in the birthplace of the Montgolfier brothers, who invented hot-air balloons, hence why these early flying machines are known as montgolfières in French.