3 days of cycling in Drôme-Ardèche
A cycling route for all levels along the ViaRhôna and the V63! Ride along bike paths between Drôme and Ardèche with the Vercors Mountains as your backdrop. The itinerary along the Rhône passes through vineyards and orchards with the foothills of the Vercors in the distance. You'll then follow the banks of the Isère to Romans, the former capital of the shoe industry.
Back along the Rhône, the path leads to Valence and the Port de l'Epervière. Welcome to Ardèche! Discover the prehistoric sites of Soyons, the medieval village of Charmes-sur-Rhône, and the characterful village of Beauchastel. The ViaRhôna then takes you to La Voulte-sur-Rhône with its imposing Ventadour Castle. You'll then cross the Rhône at Pont Seguin to continue your cycling itinerary on the island of Printegarde and the Ramières nature reserve. Your journey ends in Le Pouzin, the final stage of the itinerary.
Highlights of your itinerary
- 3 days of cycling for all levels
- A riverside itinerary between the Rhône and Isère
- A stunning natural setting!
- The foothills of the Vercors Mountains on the horizon
Day 1 : Tain l'Hermitage - Romans sur Isère
1 day in Romans sur Isère
This first stage of your itinerary begins at the Seguin footbridge at the foot of the castle of Tournon (across the river from Tain l'Hermitage). You'll follow the vineyards to Glun, where the route crosses the Rhône, entering Drôme and Pont-d'Isère. Here, the ViaRhona intersects with the V63 cycle route through the Isère Valley. You'll follow this route for the rest of the day. The itinerary crosses the Isère River and follows the embankment, before passing through orchards, Châteauneuf-sur-Isère, and its soft sandstone cliffs. Admire the panorama of the Vercors Mountains! Then it's back to the banks of the Isère River before taking the Vanelle footbridge and following the river to Bourg-de-Péage. This narrow countryside path leads to Romans-sur-Isère where you'll break for a well-deserved evening stopover!
- Distance : 31km
- Elevation gain : 112m / 173m
Day 2 : Romans sur Isère - Valence
1 night in Valence
Back on your bike to leave Romans, you'll cross the Isère River at the St-Barnard Collegiate Church to meet back up with yesterday's route along the water. When you reach the end, the Vannelle footbridge will take you back to the right bank. After crossing the Isère, you'll head towards Châteauneuf-sur-Isère and the Rhône through the orchards of the Drôme. Here, you'll reconnect with the ViaRhona and the V63. Once back to the Rhône River, the route continues along the embankment to Bourg-Lès-Valence. Admire the Ardèche castle of Crussol atop its rocky outcrop. At the "Le Rhone" theatre, you'll follow the ViaRhôna to Valence and continue along the boulevards of the town.
- Distance : 29km
- Elevation gain : 107m / 173m
Day 3 : Valence - Le Pouzin
After Jouvet Park, the ViaRhôna follows the banks of the Rhône to the Port de l'Epervière. The itinerary then continues south towards Soissons via the Pont des Lônes bridge where you’ll enter Ardèche, crossing through the prehistoric sites of Soyons and the medieval village of Charmes-sur-Rhône. The itinerary then heads toward the characterful village of Beauchastel (start of the Dolce Via route) before passing through Voulte-sur-Rhône. After crossing the Rhône, you'll continue on the island of Printegarde. The confluence of the Drôme and the Rhône rivers calls for a break in the Ramières nature reserve. You'll end the journey by crossing the metal bridge to Le Pouzin.
- Distance : 31km
- Altitude : 86m / 127m