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ViaRhôna : Groslée / La Balme-les-Grottes

Select Bicycle Ride · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

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ViaRhôna - A cycling route alongside the river Rhône

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Photo: Christian Martelet - Auvergne Rhône Alpes Tourisme
/ ViaRhôna
Photo: Christian Martelet/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
/ ViaRhôna
Photo: Christian Martelet - Auvergne Rhône Alpes Tourisme
/ ViaRhôna
Photo: A. Amiot - Auvergne Rhône Alpes Tourisme
/ ViaRhôna
Photo: M. Rougy
/ ViaRhôna
Photo: Christian Martelet/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme

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This ViaRhôna stage takes you through unspoilt countryside beside the Rhône. Hidden in the magnificent landscapes of the southern Bugey, with their mountains and forests, lie splendid lakes and marshes. You pass lovely villages like Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, and the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Lagnieu. At Lagnieu Bridge, follow the D 1075 and D 65 to join La-Balme-les-Grottes, Be careful on the road (no signposting).

easy

Distance 51.8 km

3:30 h

63 m

62 m

254 m

194 m

Don't miss :

Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey: a medieval village with castle
Morestel: a well-flowered historic town that has traditionally attracted painters. It’s a lively place, with numerous historic buildings, shops and exhibitions.
Grottes de la Balme: these conceal stalagmites and stalgatites as well as natural bassins of water. A Balcons du Rhône heritage site.
La Vallée Bleue: a big outdoor sports and recreation centre at Montalieu Vercieu
Briord: with a Roman aqueduct
Serrières-de-Briord: for Le Point-Vert outdoor sports and recreation centre

Markets :

Sault-Brénaz : Thursday morning
Morestel : Sunday morning

Difficulty

easy

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

254 m

Lowest point

194 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Safety information

Emergency number: 112

Tips and hints

Tourist Information Centres :

Office de tourisme du Pays de Lhuis et Izieu
Phone +33 (0)4 74 39 80 92

Office de tourisme de Morestel
Phone +33 (0)4 74 80 19 59

Office de tourisme de Montalieu-Vercieu, La Vallée Bleue
Phone +33 (0)4 74 88 48 56

Start

Groslée (205 m)

Coordinates:

45.712112, 5.550971

DMS

45°42'43.6"N 5°33'03.5"E

UTM

31T 698548 5065227

w3w

///drab.courier.tidily

Destination

Balme-les-Grottes

Turn-by-turn directions

New cycle route wich allows to cross "Le Pays des Couleurs" via Morestel, with an alternation of greenways and shared roads.The greenway between La Vallée Bleue and Lagnieu is signposted. At Lagnieu’s bridge, follow the D 1075 road, then the D 65, to reach La Balme-les-Grottes; note that this stretch isn’t signposted yet.

Alternative options

Groslée <> Sault-Brénaz: follow the D 19 road, physically demanding, with lots of traffic.

Lagnieu <> La Balme-les-Grottes: along grassy tracks that you join by turning right after crossing Lagnieu’s bridge (hybrid bike required).

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Be carreful, no trains direcly along the route.

Nearest railway stations : Ambérieu-en-Bugey

13 km from Saint-Sorlin en Bugey

11 km from Lagnieu

15 km from la Balme-les-Grottes

TER (local services) line 35 : Chambéry > Culoz > Ambérieu-en-Bugey > Lyon
TER (local services) line 4 : Annecy > Aix-les-Bains > Saint-André-le-Gaz > Lyon Part Dieu > Ambérieu-en-Bugey
TER (local services) line 3 : Saint-Gervais – Evian – Genève > Bellegarde > Culoz > Ambérieu-en-Bugey > Lyon Part Dieu
TER (local services) line 30 : Mâcon > Bourg-en-Bresse > Ambérieu-en-Bugey

From Morestel : Saint-André-le-Gaz railway station : 19 km from Morestel

TER (local services) line 54 : Chambéry > Lyon

TER (local services) line 62 : Grenoble > Saint-André-le-Gaz

TER (local services) line 4 : Annecy > Aix-les-Bains > Lyon

TER (local services) line 1 : Grenoble > Bourgoin-Jallieu > Lyon

Coordinates

45.712112, 5.550971

DMS

45°42'43.6"N 5°33'03.5"E

UTM

31T 698548 5065227

w3w

///drab.courier.tidily

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

Before you leave:

Make sure that the bike is in perfect mechanical condition, not to mention the tires and brakes
Make sure that the bike is correctly adjusted to your body shape
Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended
Take a repair kit with you
Remember that the Highway Traffic Act applies to cyclists in all circumstances
Never drive more than two lanes at a time and pull into a single lane when traffic conditions require.
Respect other users as you would like them to respect you
Choose a route adapted to your physical abilities
Inform your family and friends of your itinerary
Find out about the weather conditions
A first aid kit is not essential, but can be very useful
Be informed and keep the emergency numbers.
Respect the environment by not throwing your food packaging on the side of the road
If you have to return at nightfall, make sure you see and also be seen

The Most Beautiful bike rides in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Person Standing on Green Grass Covered Hill

France › Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes › Isère › Montalieu-Vercieu

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Difficulty

easy

Distance

51.8 km

Duration

3:30 h

Ascent

63 m

Descent

62 m

Highest point

254 m

Lowest point

194 m

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