The Loire Cycle Route. Mike Wells

      THE LOIRE CYCLE ROUTE

      Near Bouchemaine (Stage 23)

PROLOGUE

      Getting to the start

Start	Le Cheylard (442m) or Langogne (914m)
Finish	Gerbier de Jonc, Geographic Loire source (1417m)
Distance	31.5km from Le Cheylard, 51.5km from Langogne
Waymarking	None

      For those arriving by bus at Le Cheylard, or by train at Langogne, the following directions will take you to the start of the route proper at the Geographic Loire source.

      

      From Le Cheylard

      From terminus of route 12 bus from Valence at Ave Saunier in Le Cheylard (442m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping, tourist office), follow D120 NE (Ave de Saunier, sp La Voulte sur Rhone) downhill for 150m. Ignore the signpost pointing L to Gerbier de Jonc. Turn L (D578, sp Lamastre) across bridge over River Eyrieux. Bear R into Ave de la Gare, and just before pedestrian crossing turn sharply R (Ch d’Aurives) downhill on narrow lane towards riverbank. Turn R under bridge (Voie des Boutières) and fork R to continue out of village.

      You are now on well-surfaced cycle track along route of old railway line cut into valley side. This track is followed for 7km past Riotord and derelict bridge (both L) to reach beginning of St Martin-de-Valamas. Emerge onto asphalt road and follow this bearing R, and turn immediately L at T-junction. Bear L on tree-lined road to cross river bridge then turn R (D120) uphill into St Martin-de-Valamas (8km, 551m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping, tourist office).

      Where road turns sharply R at hairpin bend, turn L (D237, sp Gerbier de Jonc) and follow D237 for 22.5km, at first climbing gently through Valamas (10km, 564m) and Arcens (14.5km, 626m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping) along the Eysse valley.

      After Arcens, road climbs steadily through forest, passing junction with D337 road R (18.5km, 700m), after which climb becomes steeper. Ascend through La Chazotte hamlet to reach St Martial (21.5km, 885m) (refreshments, camping), which sits on hillside overlooking pretty lake. Turn sharply L in village (sp Gerbier de Jonc) and climb steeply through forest round a series of seven hairpin bends.

      Pass La Chaumette L (accommodation) then emerge above forest to reach T-junction on top of ridge with rugged cone of Gerbier De Jonc rising R and views in all directions (31km, 1417m). At the top of the ridge, the route crosses the ligne de partage des eaux (watershed) between the Mediterranean and Atlantic drainage basins, indicated by a sign on the L. Turn R (D378, sp Les Estables), passing linear car park, to reach cluster of buildings at La Source Géographique de la Loire, L, opposite footpath to summit of Mont Gerbier de Jonc, R (accommodation, refreshments).

      From Langogne

      Turn L outside Langogne station (914m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping) into Ave de la Gare, and L again under railway bridge (N88, sp Le Puy). Follow this over River Allier and continue for 8km, winding through Pradelles (7km, 1159m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping) to reach major road junction. Turn sharply R (N102, sp Aubenas) and after 3km turn L (D110, sp Coucouron) beside Montana bar and restaurant (11km, 1293m) (refreshments).

      Descend gently across plateau to Coucouron (19km, 1165m) (accommodation, refreshments, camping) and turn sharply R at roundabout (D16, sp Le Béage). Follow road through La Chapelle-Graillouse (23.5km, 1112m) and wind downhill through forest to cross Pont de la Borie bridge over Loire (28.5km, 893m). Climb up other side of valley and pass roundabout with turn-off for Lac-d’Issarlès on R (accommodation, refreshments, camping, tourist office). The route from the source returns via Lac-d’Issarlès. If you’re planning to stay the night here you could drop your bags off and cycle up to the source and back unencumbered.

      Continue ahead, ascending to reach Le Béage (38.5km, 1220m) (accommodation, refreshments). Turn R (D122, sp Gerbier de Jonc) and after 250m turn R again. Continue across high plateau to reach road junction (47km, 1240m) (refreshments). Turn L (D116), ascending with small Loire stream on R to reach T-junction on top of ridge with rugged cone of Gerbier De Jonc rising L and views in all directions (51km, 1417m). Turn L (D378, sp Les Estables), passing linear car park to reach cluster of buildings between La Source Géographique de la Loire L and footpath to summit of Mont Gerbier de Jonc R (accommodation, refreshments).