The best traffic-free bike rides around Auxange

Our guide features several carefully selected no-traffic gravel bike routes around Auxange. While Auxange itself is a small village, it serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the wider Jura region, which is renowned for its extensive gravel biking opportunities.

The no-traffic gravel routes around Auxange offer a range of distances and difficulties. For example, the Église Notre Dame d'Offlanges – Hermitage Cave loop from Moissey is a moderate 24.7 km ride with over 380 meters of elevation gain. Another option, the Croix Boyon – Hermitage Cave loop from Offlanges, is a more challenging 33.6 km route with over 450 meters of climbing. These routes provide a good mix for different skill levels.

While the routes in this guide are generally moderate to difficult, the broader Jura region offers many family-friendly cycling options. The EuroVelo 6 route, for instance, crosses the Jura Mountains for over 175 kilometers along the Doubs River and canal, providing a gentler, mostly traffic-free experience suitable for families. When choosing a route, always check the specific details for elevation and terrain to ensure it matches your family's abilities.

Yes, many of the gravel routes around Auxange are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Église Notre Dame d'Offlanges – Hermitage Cave loop from Moissey and the Charles Quint Lock – Croix Boyon loop from Amange. These circular routes are ideal for exploring the diverse landscapes without needing to retrace your steps.

The routes often pass through picturesque landscapes, including magnificent forests and small open valleys. You might encounter interesting landmarks such as Croix Boyon. The wider region is also known for its numerous lakes, waterfalls, and the scenic Canal du Rhône au Rhin, offering plenty of natural beauty and points of interest.

The Jura Mountains, surrounding Auxange, are beautiful throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, with changing foliage in the forests. Summer is also excellent, though some routes might be busier. The region's diverse landscapes, including forests and valleys, provide varied experiences depending on the season.

While the Jura Mountains are known for winter sports like snowshoeing, gravel biking in winter can be challenging due to snow and ice, especially on higher elevations and unpaved paths. It's best to check local conditions and weather forecasts carefully if you plan to ride during the colder months. Many forest paths might be impassable.

Many of the routes start from villages like Moissey or Amange, where you can typically find public parking facilities. For instance, the Charles Quint Lock – Croix Boyon loop starts from Amange, and the Église Notre Dame d'Offlanges – Hermitage Cave loop begins in Moissey. Always look for designated parking areas in these starting locations.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking experience around Auxange, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers often praise the quiet, traffic-free nature of the trails, the beautiful forest paths, and the diverse landscapes that make the Jura region a true 'Gravel bike heaven'.

Absolutely! The Jura Mountains are famous for their extensive gravel biking infrastructure. A dedicated variant of the Grande Traversée du Jura (GTJ) trail caters specifically to gravel bikers, spanning approximately 384 kilometers and showcasing the region's diverse landscapes, including valleys, mountains, plateaus, lakes, and forests. This offers a fantastic long-distance option for those looking to explore further.

The routes often pass through or near charming villages in the Jura region. While specific cafes are not always directly on the trail, you'll find opportunities for refreshments in the villages at the start or end of your ride, or in towns along the way. It's always a good idea to carry sufficient water and snacks, especially on longer stretches.