Cycling is one of the best ways to discover the natural and historical heritage of the Sarthe, while enjoying the pleasures of slow tourism. The department boasts a number of cycling trails that allow you to explore its picturesque villages, vineyards, waterways and forests. Here we have selected the 11 best cycling routes in the Sarthe.
1. Abbaye de l'Épau and Queen Berengaria
- Distance: 22 km
- Duration : 2 h
- Itinerary
Departing from the center of Le Mans, you will form a loop towards the east. You will gradually move away from the city to discover more rural landscapes before returning to the capital of the Sarthe region. You'll pass through the Arche de la Nature, a 500-hectare natural site. On the way back, you'll pass the Royal Abbey of L'Épau, a historic monument that you can visit and which is one of the most interesting things to do in Pays de la Loire.
2. Bocage and hills of Perche sarthois
- Distance: 37 km
- Duration : 3 h
- Itinerary
To set off along one of the best bike trails in the Sarthe, mount your bike in Montmirail, a village with the Petite Cité de Caractère label. Then head west for a medium-level loop back to your starting point. Medium level, indeed, as the itinerary includes a few short climbs, but these are still quite accessible even to beginners, at the price of a little effort. Along the way, you'll discover some of the most beautiful bocage and hilly landscapes in the Perche sarthois region, and you'll be encouraged to take steps to protect the environment.
3. The bike tour around Vibraye
- Distance: 41 km
- Duration : 3 h
- Itinerary
To set off on what is one of the most beautiful cycling circuits in the Sarthe, begin your journey in Vibraye, a village of 2,500 inhabitants in the east of the département. You'll then loop around the Perche sarthois countryside, its forests, rivers and bucolic villages. This is an easy itinerary, with a few fine climbs at the end. Along the way, you'll discover one of the Loire castles : the 18th-century Château de Semur-en-Vallon.
4. The Loir and orchards loop
- Distance: 20 km
- Duration : 2 h
- Itinerary
This cycling itinerary is perfect for beginners or families, as it's almost exclusively flat, as well as being relatively short. What's more, with children, you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit La Flèche zoo, as the route starts in the town. You'll then leave the town and head into the Sarthe countryside, past orchards, churches and small villages along the Loir. This easy route is also the perfect opportunity for a picnic along the banks of the river.
5. The Dême valley
- Distance : 18 km
- Duration : 2 h
- Itinerary
Starting out from La-Chartre-sur-le-Loir, pedal along one of the Sarthe's most pleasant cycling routes. You'll ride mainly through fields and vineyards, in a peaceful atmosphere, before reaching the banks of the Dême to the south. You'll then follow the course of the river for 5 km between Marçon and Beaumont-sur-Dême, where you can stop for a rest. Once again, this is a rather quiet and easy circuit, making it a good cycling itinerary for the whole family.
6. The 24 Hours cyclo-circuit
- Distance: 37 km
- Duration : 3 h
- Itinerary
The 24-hour circuit is a must-see in Le Mans and the Sarthe, and also offers one of the best bike circuits in the Sarthe. You'll start in the Plantagenet city, the historic heart of Le Mans, to follow in the footsteps of the legendary race. As well as discovering the city's rich heritage, you can stop off at one of its restaurants to sample its specialties, including the famous rillettes.
7. The round of valleys and forests
- Distance: 185 km
- Duration: 3 days
- Itinerary
This is one of the Sarthe cycling circuits to be completed over several days. It's considered difficult because of its length, which will take around three days depending on your pace, but in reality there's almost no change in altitude, so it's still accessible to beginners, even for a first cycle touring trip. In that case, take a look at our article on how to prepare your first cycling trip. You'll start in Le Mans and loop south towards the Sarthe and Loir valleys. This is a particularly wild and natural route, during which you'll pass through several forests. The whole route is very well signposted.
8. The Vélobuissonnière
- Distance: 240 km
- Duration: 4 to 8 days
- Itinerary
La Vélobuissonnière is another long-distance itinerary, stretching from Normandy to the Loire, more precisely from Alençon to Saumur. Along the way, it passes through the Sarthe region, including Le Mans, where you must visit the Plantagenet city, and La Flèche, famous for housing one of France's best zoos. On this section, you'll mainly follow the course of the Sarthe basin, passing through pretty villages and rural landscapes. You can choose to limit yourself to this section, or complete the entire Vélobuissonière itinerary over a week or so.
9. The Le Mans loop
- Distance: 54 km
- Duration : 4 h
- Itinerary
The Loop du Mans is a fairly substantial ride starting from the prefecture of Sarthe, heading east. You'll be riding mainly on roads, so a road bike is the best choice. It's a medium-level itinerary, with a few climbs, but it's still accessible to all and provides a good opportunity to discover Le Mans.
10. The Loir Valley by bike
- Distance: 320 km
- Duration: 4 to 8 days
- Itinerary
The Vallée du Loir à Vélo is not only one of the most beautiful cycle routes in the Sarthe, it's also one of the most beautiful cycle routes in France. As you cycle along the Loir, you'll discover superb vineyards, historic villages, fields, forests and heritage treasures. The route stretches from Angers, in the Maine-et-Loire region, to Illiers-Combray, in the Eure-et-Loire region, again passing through the Sarthe, and in particular La Flèche. You can complete the entire route over several days, or select just one section for a shorter stroll lasting a day or less. Difficulty varies from section to section, but overall it's a medium-level route. If you take it from east to west, you'll be heading downhill.
11. The Ferté-Bernard loop
- Distance: 30 km
- Duration : 3 h
- Itinerary
This is one of France's most beautiful cycling itineraries, as you discover La Ferté-Bernard, capital of the Perche Sarthois region and above all a magnificent historic town criss-crossed by numerous canals. Discover its heritage, including the sumptuous Notre-dame des Marais church and the Porte Saint-Julien, the last trace of the fortifications that surrounded the medieval town in the 15th century. Take the time to visit the commune, which marks the starting point of this easy-going itinerary, then hop on your bike and follow the route as it loops westwards, exploring the heritage of the Perche sarthois. The route includes a few climbs, but the positive difference in altitude is relative.
