Villerest, a region in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes of France, is situated on the banks of the Loire River, just south of Roanne. The area is characterized by the expansive Lake Villerest and the picturesque Loire Gorges, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. Its terrain includes riverbanks, lake shores, and surrounding hills, providing varied environments for several sports like touring cycling, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. The region's natural features and accessible landscapes make it a compelling destination…
89
Routes
4.4
(124)
Average rating
1967
People visited

4.6
(11)
38
riders
50.5km
03:25
800m
800m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.7
(3)
18
riders
29.8km
01:50
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
54
riders
28.3km
01:52
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
33
riders
54.6km
03:38
810m
810m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(11)
88
hikers
7.43km
02:01
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(6)
33
hikers
12.2km
03:20
190m
190m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
42
hikers
8.68km
02:25
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
16
hikers
12.1km
03:21
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
94
riders
85.7km
03:57
880m
880m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
99
riders
55.3km
02:47
860m
860m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

81
riders
52.2km
02:24
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
74
riders
57.8km
02:32
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.1
(7)
87
runners
11.4km
01:20
250m
250m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(10)
74
runners
7.43km
00:48
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
53
runners
23.8km
02:43
440m
450m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
30
runners
11.6km
01:16
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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21
riders
44.3km
04:04
1,030m
1,030m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.0
(2)
20
riders
48.9km
03:09
250m
250m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
14
riders
43.2km
03:58
1,030m
1,030m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
9
riders
43.2km
03:40
810m
810m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(3)
7
riders
36.5km
02:37
540m
550m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
8
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
48.0km
03:15
760m
760m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
23.0km
01:54
550m
550m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Villerest offers a variety of outdoor activities, including touring cycling, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and gravel biking. The region features 91 routes, with more than 12,000 visitors having explored the area. Routes are available for various skill levels and interests.
Villerest provides cycling routes suitable for beginners. An easy option is the "View of the Loire – Lake Villerest loop," which is approximately 11 miles (17.7 km) long. For more options, consult the Cycling around Villerest guide.
Popular cycling routes include the challenging "Castles of la Roche and Saint Maurice - Loop in the Loire Gorges," covering about 31.4 miles (50.5 km). Another option is the moderate "R8 – one dam to the next" route, which is approximately 18.5 miles (29.8 km). Many routes explore the Lake Villerest area.
Villerest offers mountain biking trails, including a moderate "Lake Villerest loop from Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire." This route features a mix of paved and unpaved paths, singletracks, and gravel sections. The wider Livradois-Forez region, connected to the Loire department, has an extensive network of signposted mountain bike trails. More details are in the MTB Trails around Villerest guide.
The area around Lake Villerest provides excellent jogging opportunities. Routes include the "Lac de Villerest – Église de Saint-Jean loop," approximately 15.1 miles (24.3 km), and the shorter "Lac de Villerest – Base de loisirs de Villerest loop," about 7.1 miles (11.4 km). The region also hosts organized running events. Find more routes in the Running Trails around Villerest guide.
Villerest is characterized by Lake Villerest, an expansive body of water created by a hydroelectric dam, and the picturesque Loire Gorges. These features offer impressive views and opportunities for water sports and fishing. The region also has green spaces and hills surrounding the Loire River.
Yes, Villerest features several historical landmarks. The 17th-century Château de la Roche is a notable sight within the Loire Gorge. The medieval town of Villerest itself has historic buildings and intact ramparts. The walled tower remains of Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire also provide views of the Loire meanders.
Outdoor routes in Villerest have an average rating of 4.43 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on more than 1,000 individual ratings from users. The region has attracted over 12,000 visitors who have shared their experiences.
Komoot offers several guides for Villerest, covering various activities. These include guides for Cycling around Villerest, Running Trails around Villerest, Road Cycling Routes around Villerest, MTB Trails around Villerest, Hiking around Villerest, and Gravel biking around Villerest.
The official website for the Villerest Mairie (town hall) is villerest.fr. For direct inquiries, the phone number for the Villerest Mairie is +33477696666.
Villerest offers accessible landscapes and routes suitable for families. The redevelopment around Lake Villerest includes landscaped areas for relaxation and activities. Easy cycling and jogging loops are available, providing options for various ages and fitness levels.
Villerest is popular for touring cycling, road cycling, and mountain biking. Routes cater to different preferences, from leisurely rides along the Loire River to challenging mountain bike trails with varied terrain. Gravel biking is also an option in the region.

