Gravel Circuit / Bikepacking - Angers, along the rivers

Bikepacking Gravel circuit - Angers, along the rivers
Nature is Bike Experience

Why not try bikepacking? The idea is to equip your bike or hire a specially designed bike for a light adventure! A bike, a few panniers, a thirst for discovery and all that's left to do is discover the exceptional playground offered by the destination of Angers by following the rivers.

From Angers, set off on an adventure by bike and discover an exceptional playground in the heart of the Basses Vallées Angevines. An exploration of 109 km, to be discovered over 2 to 3 days, which promises new sensations and sharing.

Discover this circuit and find all the technical information (practical info, gpx track, points of interest, etc) on our Outdooractive page.

Road book :
109 km circuit - Gravel or mountain bike recommended - intermediate level. Good physical condition required. A very rolling route overall with a few hills to climb. This route is mainly on hard or mixed paths, along 5 rivers: the Maine, the Mayenne, the Sarthe, the Loir and the Authion.

Some parts of the route require greater vigilance, particularly because of the presence of a roundabout:
- Roundabout near Verrières-en-Anjou on the D323
- Roundabout towards Andard on the D347

Open circuit, not signposted, to be walked independently
Departure point: Place Kennedy, Angers
Kilometres: 109 km
Difference in altitude: 854 m
Direction: North-west and north-east of Angers
Recommended period: March to November
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 days
Staging points : Montreuil-Juigné (12 km), Grez-Neuville (25 km), Briollay (44 km), Montreuil-sur-Loir (57 km), Rives-du-Loir-en-Anjou - Villevêque (70 km), Trélazé (95 km)
Recommended overnight stops: Briollay (44 km), Seiches-sur-le-Loir (64 km) and Rives-du-Loir-en-Anjou (70 km)
Accommodation in Briollay: Hotel du Château de Noirieux
Accommodation in Seiches-sur-le-Loir: "Le Domaine de Bré" guest house
Accommodation in Rives-du-Loir-en-Anjou : bed and breakfast "La Maison dans les Bois
You can also find accommodation in and around Angers that has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label.

The must-sees, not to be missed on your way :
- Contemplate the panorama of the Maine River and the historic heart of Angers
- See the Segré bridge, a former railway bridge recently converted for pedestrians and cyclists
- Walk along the Ile Saint-Aubin, formed by the Vieille Maine, the Sarthe and the Mayenne
- Follow the Vélo Francette and the banks of the Mayenne, a perfect setting for a lunch break
- The Montreuil-Juigné lock, which is still in operation and used to transport raw materials
- The Montreuil-Juigné marshes, a real reservoir of biodiversity
- The Port Albert, a former embarkation port, ideal for relaxing by the water
- The Sautré castle and mill dating from the 13th century
- The Roussière lock and dam, a former barge crossing
- The castle of Plessis-Bourré, preserved in a natural setting and surrounded by a moat
- The red fruit garden in Briollay and its panorama of the Basses Vallées Angevines
- Take a break at the guinguette Le Kiviv on the banks of the Sarthe
- Discover the Briollay educational marsh and the plants of the Basses Vallées Angevines
- Walk through the forest of Soucelles
- Walk along the banks of the Loir and take the Montreuil-sur-Loir ferry to cross the Loir
- Discover the forest of Boudré and the castle of Verger
- Take a short diversions to the Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle Chapel overlooking the Loir in the pretty hamlet of Matheflon
- The Château-Musée de Villevêque and its beautiful panorama of the Basses Vallées Angevines
- Bathing in Villevêque in the Loir, a real spot of freshness
- L'Engrenage-Moulin in Villevêque, a site that explains how electricity was made from the water mill
- Summer in Villevêque: the contemporary art trail with indoor installations and also in the parks and gardens of the town
- Walk along the gravel paths with poplar groves, alluvial meadows, Natura 2000 wetlands typical of the Basses Vallées Angevines
- The Motte castle made entirely of wood and earth in Verrières-en-Anjou
- Follow the banks of the Authion to the Ardoisières park
- Cross the Ardoisières park, the former site of the famous Anjou slate quarry
- Follow part of the Anjou loop of the Loire by bike to return to Angers

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