The most beautiful bike rides in Landes

A camping vacation in the Landes is often synonymous with cycling in the shade of the emblematic Landes pines… and it’s easy to see why! With a total of 300 km of cycle paths, most of them on greenways, not to mention hundreds of other kilometers accessible by road, the Landes offers a wide range of cycling options throughout the department. To help you find the cycling itinerary that’s right for you, follow these 5 top Landes cycle routes, selected for their safety, variety of scenery and ease of use.

1. Vélodyssée

A not-to-be-missed route along the Atlantic coast, the legendary Vélodyssée (EV1) offers a safe route, 80% of which is on roads closed to vehicles. The Landes département is no exception, with no less than 167 km of accessiblecycling between Biscarrosse and Tarnos, making it the French département with the longest stretch of theEV1.

By following part of the Velodyssée from the Eurosol campsite in Vielle-Saint-Girons, holidaymakers can quickly and easily reach Lac de Léon, home to the Courant d’Huchet nature reserve. From here, it’s possible to board a galupe (flat-bottomed boat) to discover all the beauty and natural wealth of the area nicknamed the “Landes Amazon”.

2. Voie verte de la Chalosse

Located at the gateway to Dax, from Hinx to Saint-Sever, sports enthusiasts can follow the 34 km long “voie verte de la Chalosse”. Formerly known as a railroad line until 1970, the Chalosse greenway has been redeveloped to make way for a pleasant (and unpaved) route alternating between woodland, meadow and forest. On mountain bikes or VTCs, cyclists can stop off at one of the many rest areas along the way.

3. Voie verte du Marsan et de l’Armagnac

More experienced cyclists in search of a thrill can join the Marsan and Armagnac greenway, located in the Landes hinterland and particularly well-suited to mountain bikes. After visiting the town of Mont-de-Marsan, the capital of 20th-century figurative sculpture, visitors can head for the starting point of the 52 km bike trail.

4. Piste du Vignac

This 8 km bike ride stretches from Lévignac to Lit-et-Mixe. Holidaymakers staying at the Vielle-Saint-Girons campsite can easily take advantage of this route, which is just a stone’s throw from their pitch. What’s more, this route through the heart of the Landes forest has a smooth asphalt surface that’s easy to use for those who want to enjoy their cycling vacation with children.

5. From Vielle-Saint-Girons to Taller

From Vielle-Saint-Girons, tourists can also follow the cycle path linking Vielle-Saint-Girons to Taller, known as “Lo Camin de Hé”, which translates from Gascon as “the Iron Way”. Covering 27 km, this easy-to-use greenway allows you to enjoy a bike ride through the Landes forest, with the comfort of on-site facilities (including picnic tables) and eating places along the way.