High Point Holidays

Despite the relatively gentle nature of their slopes, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys create a landscape of great panoramas and rich contrasts. The character of the hills changes with altitude as the vines give way to forests and fields on the higher slopes.

The trails are divided between two areas (and guide books), north and south of Beaujeu. The trails explore the full diversity of landscapes in both areas. They are easy to follow by the use of the official way-marks of the Federation Française de Cyclisme.

Trails of all grades but with a larger number in the difficult category: 10 easy , 19 moderate, 29 difficult, 20 very difficult

Highlights

• Picturesque rolling countryside with summits around 1000m providing exceptional views
• A variety of great trails offering biking at all levels and distances, which are spread throughout the peaks and valleys of the high Beaujolais, passing through vines, fields and forests
• Quiet area away from the tourist trails
• A region known for its fine wine and its gastronomic delights
• Beautiful villages and plenty of sights when you're not biking

This independent cycling holiday takes place in the Centre-Val-de-Loire and Pays-de-la-Loire regions of France, following the Loire, as it slowly flows towards the sea. This route between Orleans and Saumur has been chosen, owing to the outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages and great chateaux. You’ll cycle past cultivated lands formed by many centuries of interaction between their population and the physical environment, primarily the river Loire itself. Much of the route is on the Eurovelo 6 which is one of the world’s premier cycle paths, so you will enjoy top-class infrastructure and relatively flat topography.

By cycling through the Beaujolais, the southern Burgundy and the eastern Charolais, you will experience an ever changing upland landscape of vineyards, patchwork fields, woodland and quaint villages.

The Beaujolais region, located to the north and east of Lyon, forms a series of elegant rolling hills summiting around 1000m above sea level. The character of the hills change with altitude as the vines give way to forests and pastures.

The hills of the southern Burgundy are lower, although a number of rocky outcrops punctuate the Chardonnay vineyards to create an area of rich contrasts. It is also a region full of architectural delights, such as the town of Cluny, beautiful villages and historic chateaux. Both the Burgundy and Beaujolais are well-known for their fine wine and gastronomic food, a reputation that is richly deserved.

Further west you'll discover the Brionnais/Charolais, an area synonymous with beef cattle, where a patchwork of fields create an intimate landscape reminiscent of England.

Days 4 and 6, involve unavoidable ascents of 300m and follow undulating, hilly terrain. The ascents follow routes that climb gently to the cols with gradients that are generally no more than 5 or 6%. However, most days involve no more than 40 km or 25 miles cycling. In addition there are two days where you may take a rest. For those looking to increase the challenge, a number of extensions or alternatives to the normal routes are possible.

Highlights

• Varied cycling through vines, pastures and forests
• Sweeping views across rolling countryside
• Wine tasting visits possible in a region famous for its gastronomic delights
• Beautiful towns and villages with historic chateaux, abbeys and churches
• A dedicated off-road cycle path for some of the holiday

The southern Burgundy is a treasure of historic churches and chateaux set in rolling countryside carpeted with vines and forests. A number of rocky outcrops punctuate the vineyards such as the celebrated “roche de Solutré” important for its pre-historic human activity.

The Burgundy region is well-known for its fine wine and gastronomic food, a reputation that is richly deserved. You will have plenty of opportunity to sample both during your cycle. In addition you will have plenty of time to see the varied and rich architectural delights of the region, such as those found at Cluny, a very important spiritual, political and artistic centre of the Middle Ages with its Benedictine abbey. The town of Tournus is home to some beautiful buildings including one of the largest Romanesque churches in France. Besides these towns many of the pretty villages you will travel through have splendid chateaux and impressive churches.

The cycling on this holiday is gentle and suitable for most people. It uses an off-road cycle path for over half the holiday. The day's cycling can be up to 55 km (or 32 miles), although the average (not counting the rest day) is 40km. There is a hill of about 140m on the final day. Otherwise the cycling is on gently undulating terrain.

Highlights

• Beautiful towns and villages with historic chateaux, abbeys and churches
• Changing countryside with vineyards, woodland, pasture and wetlands
• A dedicated off-road cycle path for much of the holiday
• Wine tasting
• Gourmet food and charming guest house

Our self guided cycling holiday passes through one picturesque village after another. La Roque Gageac has been built into steep sandstone cliffs which rise high above the river with fascinating architecture and a troglodyte fort built into the cliff face. The beautiful town of Sarlat is famous for its medieval buildings and its lively street market. Sarlat has remained preserved from modern development and is considered to be one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. Your cycling tour starts and finishes at Gourdon, which is a beautiful village built in tiers around a hill, before progressing to Rocamadour, another wonderful village clinging to the cliffs overlooking the Ouysse gorge. In addition, the Dordogne has an impressive concentration of chateaux lining the valley such as Fenelon, Beynac, Castlenaud and Marqueyssac. There are also important pre-historic sites with cave drawings to discover on your French cycling holiday, which follows quiet roads through pretty countryside steeped in history.

6 days self-guided cycling moving between hotels & B&B’s. Staying in 2 guest houses for two nights. The holiday is graded moderate. Two of the days allow you to choose the amount of cycling you wish to do. Average days on your cycling holiday include about 40—50km cycling with the maximum in any one day being 62km. Ascents and descents are relatively limited throughout the week. The cycling takes place on good roads which are generally quiet. They become busier during certain holiday periods.

Highlights

• Wonderful historic villages including Sarlat, Beynac and Rocamadour
• Beautiful chateaux lining the valley, sitting on rocky promontories
• Picturesque landscapes, beautiful valleys and dramatic gorges
• Enjoyable cycling on quiet roads
• Lovely guest houses and great food