Photo credit : @lestudiocoton
Embark on a 2-day bikepacking adventure during the Ardèche Gravel event! Discover the multiple possibilities available for exploring the Ardèche trails. With seven different routes ranging from 50 km to 194 km, there’s something for every skill level and preference! Among the most unusual options, two will surprise you: the first starts with boarding a boat, while the second begins with a train journey! I personally chose the latter option, and I highly recommend boarding the Mastrou, one of the iconic steam trains from the Saint-Jean-de-Muzols station. Speaking of which, you can board this train, which includes a bike wagon, for a direct journey to Lamastre. There’s one trip per day departing from Saint-Jean-de-Muzols at 10:15 am and returning from Lamastre at 3:15 pm. The Mastrou operates from early April to mid-November! Find more information here. There’s also another train, the Train des Gorges, which travels from Saint-Jean to Colombier le Vieux with two departures per day, one at 10 am and another at 3 pm. This service operates from early April to late October.
Photo credit : @lestudiocoton
The 145 km “by train” formula that I had the opportunity to experience unfolded in two stages: the first began with a journey aboard the Mastrou from the Saint-Jean-de-Muzols station around 6 p.m. on Friday. Upon arrival in Lamastre, we had covered approximately 50 km with over 1200 meters of positive elevation gain to reach our bivouac spot for the night. We took some country roads and trails departing from Lamastre before joining the Dolce Via. The weather was a bit unpredictable; as soon as night fell, the cold set in and a light rain accompanied me for the rest of the ride. I arrived a bit chilled after 3 hours of riding at the evening campsite! 🥶
The next morning, departure was scheduled for around 7:45 a.m. to cover 88 km with over 1400 meters of positive elevation gain. Breakfast was at kilometer 15 in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, at the Boulangerie la Chanterelle. We had the opportunity to enjoy delicious brioches before tackling the most demanding part of the day! This route was a mix of single tracks, country roads, and wide dirt tracks. We also crossed fields and woodlands several times. A very varied ride in terms of terrain! It took me about 5 hours on the bike.
Photo credit : @lestudiocoton
If you’re looking for an event at the end of April, I highly recommend the Ardèche Gravel! After the event, don’t hesitate to extend your stay in the department to explore other routes in Ardèche. Here’s a selection of those I had the opportunity to test: itinéraires gravel en Ardèche.
