The Loire Valley is home to the longest river in France and boasts a stunning reputation for its world-class wines. On our walking & cycling holidays in the Loire, you'll discover beautiful wildlife and scenery that is unparalleled.
With its gorgeous chateaux and grand castles, it's easy to see why the Loire Valley has a special place in the affections of visitors to France. And when it comes to the cuisine, fruit, vegetables and other food grown here are of the very finest quality. When you eat out, you can expect consistently high standards. The Loire vineyards produce a wider variety of wines than any other wine region in the world - and they're always divine.
At Headwater, our holidays in the Loire are in the heart of the Valley. It has one of Europe's most congenial climates, making it the perfect destination for walking and cycling trips.
No matter whether you'd prefer to opt for a short walking break exploring the rivers and chateaux of the Loire, or a gastronomic cycling holiday sounds more suited to you, we have something for everyone. Our self-guided tours include all accommodation, fantastic food and opportunities to make unforgettable memories.
The Loire Valley is easy to get to, as it's located only an hour from Paris via high-speed rail service. If you'd like to find out more information about flights and transfers for your trip, please get in contact with one of our team.
Here are a few of our walking & cycling destinations in the Loire Valley, which offer the possibility of multiple exciting locations in just one trip.
Read more▼
This gentle walking trip is a fabulous introduction to the Loire Valley. Your route will lead you from a chateau to another including the most famous ones such as Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau and Amboise. Warm, friendly hotels and great regional cuisine.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
This gentle hotel-to-hotel short break walking holiday is a fabulous introduction to the Loire Valley. Your route will lead you from a chateau to another including the most famous ones such as Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau and Amboise. Warm, friendly hotels and great regional cuisine.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Experience a chateau lifestyle during a romantic stay in a 4* manor house in the heart of the charming royal city of Amboise. Ride from chateau to chateau, stroll through peaceful gardens and stop in local cellars to taste the Loire Valley's delicious wines.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Experience a journey in the Valley of the Kings cycling, canoeing and walking where stunning scenery and rich history contribute to this region reputation as the most romantic destination.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
All the greatest chateaux of the Loire in a short break. Bike from a chateau to another is just a short ride. Through the vineyards, on peaceful bike routes or along the Loire river, discover the royal Loire Valley.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Ride the famous 'Loire a velo' cycling path from Tours to Angers. All along the route, you stick closely to France’s last great wild river, with its sandy banks and islands, its vine-covered slopes, its typical towns and villages, its fine food and its unique atmosphere.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Take a deep breath ...and glide gently on the Loire. Paddle at your own rhythm in a very quiet environment, surrounded by chateaux and vineyards.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Follow the famous 'Loire a Velo' cycling path and admire in all its glory 'La Loire'. From Blois to Nantes you will discover the delightful chateaux and Renaissance gardens.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
Ride the famous 'Loire a velo' cycling path from Tours to Angers. All along the route, you stick closely to France’s last great wild river, with its sandy banks and islands, its vine-covered slopes, its typical towns and villages, its fine food and its unique atmosphere.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
All the greatest chateaux of the Loire are waiting for you during this short break. Bike from a chateau to another is just a short ride. Through the vineyards, on peaceful bike routes or along the Loire river, discover the royal Loire Valley. With a selection of 4* hotel accommodations, experience an unforgettable journey.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
All the greatest chateaux of the Loire are waiting for you. Bike from a chateau to another is just a short ride. Through the vineyards, on peaceful bike routes or along the Loire river, discover the royal Loire Valley.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
All the greatest chateaux of the Loire are waiting for you. Bike from a chateau to another is just a short ride. Through the vineyards, on peaceful bike routes or along the Loire river, discover the royal Loire Valley. With a selection of 4* hotel accommodations, experience an unforgettable journey.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
The Loire Valley is mainly flat and broad, however, there are also low hills. We offer a variety of cycling tours that cross all over the Loire Valley, with biking difficulty ranging from easy to moderate.
Our cycling holidays in the Loire Valley are available between April and October as the area experiences a lot of rain outside of these months. The summers in the Loire tend to be sunny and warm, making cycling during this time more enjoyable and practical.
All our cycling tours in the Loire are handpicked with the best destinations, hotels, and activities to guarantee that your adventure holiday is one to remember. The ideal cycle route for you will depend on what you're hoping to get out of your trip. If you're looking to admire the sandy banks and natural beauty of the Loire, then we recommend cycling through the UNESCO Loire Valley<. For peaceful bike rides amongst the vineyards and chateaux, our deluxe cycling route of the Chateaux of the Loire may be better suited to you.
We offer walking cycling tours in Loire Valley that range from three to seven days. This is to ensure that you have time to experience the best that the region has to offer. For a more in-depth exploration of Loire Valley, we recommend one of our weeklong self-guided holidays.
If you're ready to book one of our self guided tours in Loire, you just need to follow these simple steps:
If you have any questions about making a booking or would like to make amendments before your departure, contact our sales team. Call us, email us, or use our live chat feature.
Basking in the beauty of the Loire Valley, as you take in the cultural and historical delights, is at the forefront of our cycling holidays to the Loire. And there is no need to carry your luggage around with you, as our dedicated team will arrange to have your belongings transported to your next destination. To find the cycling tour that best suits you, we recommend browsing our four grades of routes before selecting your trip.
Our self-guided cycling holidays in Loire Valley give you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace. You'll begin with a briefing to ensure you're set up with the appropriate equipment and information. Using our audio navigation app, you can receive tailored instructions for the different routes available for your journey. You'll also find a GPS function and conventional maps here.
Our cycling tours in Loire take place between April and October, so you can expect the weather to be warm and humid during the spring and summer months. Temperatures may cool after August so you may need additional layers to keep yourself comfortable on your holiday. Some important things to bring include:
We'll supply you with Headwater bikes to use throughout your cycling holiday in the Loire Valley. You can bring pedals, cycling computers, saddles, water bottle cages, and child seats to be fitted as long as they're compatible with our bicycles.
Choose one of our walking or cycling holidays in the Loire Valley to engage with the scenery and cultural sights that central France has to offer. We have nearly 40 years of experience creating bike tours across the globe and our team will do everything they can to make your booking process quick and easy.
