Cycling near Uzès & the Gard — Routes & Guide

Why this area

Cycling terrain worth knowing about

The Gard has no famous climbs, but something better: roads that go for thirty kilometres without a junction, garrigue scrubland that smells of wild thyme in the heat, gorges that most touring cyclists have never found, and terrain that suits every level from a relaxed family loop to a serious hundred-kilometre road ride.

From La Valette in the Gard you can roll out of the courtyard and be on empty roads within two minutes. The plateau above the Gardon gorge connects Uzès, the Pont du Gard and the Gorges du Gardon without touching a main road.

Dedicated cycle paths

The Voies Vertes

Two converted railway lines run through the area as fully separated cycle paths, away from traffic. Asphalt, gentle gradients, plane trees overhead. Suitable for families and anyone who wants to ride without watching mirrors.

Voie Verte Uzès to Beaucaire

36 km one way Easy

A former railway line converted into a dedicated cycle path. From Uzès you ride through countryside, past Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie and Montaren-et-Saint-Médiers, descending gently toward the Rhône. Most riders turn back at some point. Half-day if you go to the end, or a leisurely loop if you stop for lunch and return.

Voie Verte Pont du Gard

7 km section Family

A shorter, scenic stretch that approaches the Pont du Gard through the Gardon valley. You arrive at the monument by bike rather than by car, which changes the experience entirely. Park at the start, ride in, swim if it is summer, ride out.

Komoot routes

Official GPX tracks

The Pays d'Uzès Pont du Gard tourist office publishes detailed cycling routes on Komoot, including the Voies Vertes and connecting roads. Useful if you prefer turn-by-turn navigation, or if you want longer day-rides linking the dedicated paths with quiet country roads.

Routes from the doorstep

Five routes from La Valette

All routes start from or near La Valette in the countryside near Uzès. Distance and elevation are approximate. Road bike or hybrid unless marked gravel.

The Garrigue Loop

Easy 28 km · 180 m Road / hybrid

the Gard east to Collias, north along the plateau above the Gardon, return via the Uzès outskirts and back through the garrigue. Almost no traffic on the plateau roads. The descent to Collias is short and fast; the climb back is ten minutes at modest gradient. A 90-minute morning ride before a day doing something else. In spring the garrigue is in flower and the scent of wild thyme is extraordinary.

Pont du Gard by Road

Moderate 42 km return · 280 m Road bike

South from the Gard on the D18, through the garrigue plateau, dropping to the Gardon valley and arriving at the Pont du Gard from the north. The approach gives you the aqueduct from the road above before you descend — a reveal that parking arrivals miss. Lock the bike, swim, return the same way or via Remoulins for a different profile. Allow three and a half hours including a stop at the water.

Gorges du Gardon Circuit

Challenging 65 km · 620 m Road bike

North from the Gard to Uzès, east on the plateau road, north along the rim of the Gorges du Gardon to Saint-Hilaire-d'Ozilhan, descent to the gorge floor, south to the Pont du Gard, then back to La Valette. The gorge section is the centrepiece: the road runs along the canyon rim with the Gardon visible below through the garrigue. The climb out of the gorge is the hardest moment — 4 km at 6 percent. Allow four to five hours.

Uzès Market Morning

Easy 10 km return · 60 m Any bike

Five kilometres from La Valette to the Place aux Herbes. Saturday morning: leave at 9h, arrive for the market, buy provisions, return before noon. The road from the Gard is largely flat. Suitable for any bike, any rider, any age. Coffee on the Place aux Herbes terrace, fresh bread and cheese for the rest of the day.

Gravel: Garrigue and Mas Track

Moderate 35 km · 320 m Gravel / MTB

Unpaved limestone tracks through the garrigue plateau east of the Gard. Pale gravel through scrubland past isolated mas farmhouses. The route passes the edge of the Gorges du Gardon at two points where the view opens without warning over the canyon. Komoot has the best track data for this area. Confirm with us before going — some sections close during dry periods due to fire risk.

Practical information

What you need to know

01

Bike hire in Uzès

Several hire options in the town centre, including e-bikes and road bikes. For serious road riding, bringing your own bike remains the better option. Ask us for the current recommendation when you book.

02

The heat

From mid-June to mid-September, temperatures above 35°C are normal. Start before 8h and plan to be off the bike by noon. Two litres of water minimum for any ride over 25 km in summer.

03

Road surfaces

Main roads are well-surfaced. Minor D-roads through the garrigue range from excellent to unpredictably rough. Gravel tracks are firm limestone with good drainage, but check after heavy rain.

04

Traffic

Plateau roads between the Gard, Collias and the gorge carry almost no traffic outside summer weekends. The road to Uzès is light. Avoid the N86 and N106 entirely.

05

Navigation

Komoot has the most complete track data for this area. The IGN 1:25000 map covers all routes described here. Google Maps misses many of the best tracks.

06

Storage at La Valette

We have secure covered storage for bikes at the house. Arriving by train in Nîmes or Avignon with a bike? Let us know and we will help coordinate the transfer.

Continue exploring

More from the region

Monument Visiting the Pont du Gard Best time, tickets, swimming. 15 minutes from La Valette. Area guide Things to do near Uzès Beyond cycling: markets, wine routes, festivals, swimming. Dining Best restaurants in Uzès Where to eat after a long day on the bike.