The best cycling routes in Yonne

Yonne offers a wide selection of touring cycling routes, with over 1300 options available on komoot. These routes cater to various preferences, from easy canal paths to more challenging vineyard climbs.

The touring cycling routes in Yonne are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 2,100 reviews. Cyclists often praise the region's diverse landscapes, including the tranquil river valleys, picturesque canal towpaths, and scenic vineyard-clad hills, which offer a rich and varied experience.

Yonne's terrain is quite varied. You'll find many routes along the flat, well-maintained towpaths of canals like the Canal du Nivernais. Other areas, particularly around the Auxerrois vineyards and the Morvan Regional Natural Park, feature undulating terrain with rolling hills and forests, offering more elevation changes.

Yes, Yonne has plenty of easy touring cycling routes. Over 280 routes are classified as easy, often following the flat paths along the region's canals. A great example is the Tour de Bourgogne: Canal du Nivernais - Auxerre Loop, which offers a gentle ride along the Canal du Nivernais near Auxerre.

The best time for touring cycling in Yonne is generally from spring to autumn (April to October), when the weather is mild and the landscapes are vibrant. This period avoids the colder, potentially wetter winter months, making for more enjoyable rides through vineyards and along river valleys.

Many touring cycling routes in Yonne are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. For instance, the loop from Mailly-le-Château to Lucy-sur-Yonne combines canal-side riding with local roads, offering a scenic circular journey.

Absolutely. The numerous greenways and canal towpaths, such as those along the Canal du Nivernais, provide safe and relatively flat surfaces ideal for families. These paths often pass through charming villages and offer easy access to amenities, making them perfect for cyclists of all ages.

Yonne's routes showcase diverse natural beauty. You can cycle along the tranquil River Yonne and Canal du Nivernais, explore the rolling hills of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, or discover unique sites like the Fosse Dionne in Tonnerre. The Cousin Valley also offers picturesque scenery.

Yonne is rich in history. Many routes pass through or near historic towns like Auxerre, with its medieval old town and Saint-Etienne Cathedral, or Noyers-sur-Serein, a beautifully preserved medieval village. You can also visit impressive structures like the castles of Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc, or the grand Pontigny Abbey.

Yes, the Canal du Nivernais is a major highlight for touring cyclists in Yonne. Its well-paved towpaths offer a fantastic greenway experience. The Canal du Nivernais and Irancy Loop is one such route that allows you to enjoy the canal's serene environment.

Yonne is renowned for its vineyards, and several routes wind through these scenic landscapes. The Route touristique des vignobles de l’Yonne (Tonnerrois) is a great option to explore the Tonnerrois wine region, offering views of fields and forests alongside the vines.

Absolutely. Yonne is a prime destination for wine tourism. Many cycling routes, especially those through the Chablis, Auxerrois, and Irancy vineyards, pass by numerous domains that welcome visitors for tastings. This allows you to combine active exploration with the region's renowned culinary experiences.

For cyclists seeking more of a challenge, Yonne offers nearly 370 difficult routes. These often feature significant elevation gains, particularly in areas like the Auxerrois vineyards or the Morvan Regional Natural Park. The Route touristique des vignobles de l’Yonne (Tonnerrois) is an example of a more demanding route.

Yes, the Morvan Regional Natural Park extends into the southern and western edges of Yonne, offering forested landscapes and quiet paths. The Cousin Valley and Marrault Pond loop from Avallon is a great way to experience the natural beauty of this area.