Loire Valley Walking & Cycling

Showing 12 out of 337 trips

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.

Need some help booking your relaxed holiday in the Loire?

With historical and cultural highlights, world-famous wines, and majestic chateaux to experience, you won't regret booking one of our walking or cycling holidays in the Loire.

It's time to see the Loire Valley for yourself with Headwater. If you're about to plan your next holiday and have questions about our adventure breaks to the Loire, one of our experienced team will be able to help.

Highlights of the Loire Valley?

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.

AMBOISE

Experience a chateau lifestyle in the heart of the charming royal city of Amboise. The perfect romantic getaway, you can take in the antique beauty of the stunning Chateau du Clos Luce, built on the Loire River, where Leonardo da Vinci lived at end of his life. On our cycling holiday in the Royal Loire Valley, you'll ride from chateau to chateau, stroll through peaceful gardens, and stop in local cellars to taste the Loire Valley's delicious wines.

TOURS

Tours is the largest city in the Centre-Val de Loire region and home to some of France's most impressive architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the 'Garden of France' for its lush green spaces and picturesque 19th-century botanical garden. On a self-guided cycling tour through the UNESCO Loire River, you'll enjoy the beauty of this historical city before travelling on to the enchanting gardens of Villandry.

ANGERS

For those looking to indulge in fine food and local culture, Angers is a must-visit spot on your cycling holiday in the Loire. The unique atmosphere and rich history of this city make it the perfect destination to experience real French living. You'll follow the Loire River and enjoy the exquisite vineyards of Anjou. Once in the city, you can visit Angers' famous chateau and the renowned Apocalypse Tapestry it houses. All this, while staying at a stunning four-star hotel, selected by our team.

France : The Loire

Chateaux Of The Loire Walk

£1259


4.4 (7 reviews)

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Self-guided walking

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1
Leisurely

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France : The Loire

Chateaux Of The Loire Walk - Short Break

£819

 
 

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Self-guided walking

4 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1
Leisurely

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France : The Loire

Cycling In The Royal Loire Valley

£959

 
 

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Self-guided cycling

3 nights,
single centre

Level: 1
Leisurely

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France : The Loire

Multi Activity in the Loire

£959

 
 

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Multi-activity holiday

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire - Short Break

£969


4.8 (6 reviews)

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Self-guided cycling

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Cycling The UNESCO Loire Valley

£969


5.0 (3 reviews)

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Self-guided cycling

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Canoeing on the Loire

£1179

 
 

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5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

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France : The Loire

Tour de France - Loire

£1179

NEW FOR 2025

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Self-guided cycling

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 3
Stretching

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France : The Loire

Cycling The UNESCO Loire Valley - Deluxe

£1199


4.3 (3 reviews)

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Self-guided cycling

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire - Upgraded Short

£1239


4.7 (3 reviews)

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Self-guided cycling

5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire

£1269


4.5 (10 reviews)

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Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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France : The Loire

Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire - Upgraded

£1619


4.8 (4 reviews)

VIEW TRIP

Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

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Where appropriate, we grade our holidays based on distance, terrain, elevation gain, remoteness, etc and categorise them into 4 relative groups. This is ultimately subjective and may vary slightly day to day; for more advice, please see the specific trip page or call one of our friendly team.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Loire Valley cycling flat?

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.

What time of year is best for cycling in the Loire?

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.

Which cycle route is best in Loire?

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.

How long should I plan to explore the Loire?

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.

How do I book a Loire holiday?

If you're ready to book one of our self guided tours in Loire, you just need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Click the 'Book now' tab of the holiday page to check the availability of your travel dates and confirm the details.
  2. Your booking will be held for five days so you can arrange your travel details. To confirm it, we just need a deposit. with your debit/credit card details or use our secure online card payment page.
  3. You'll receive your invoice in the post within seven days of confirming your booking. Approximately 10 weeks before your departure date, you'll need to provide your final payment to receive your holiday documentation.

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.

What to expect on a cycling holiday in Loire?

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.

What to pack for a cycling holiday in Loire?

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:

  • Bicycle helmet
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Water bottle
  • Comfortable shoes
  • First-aid kit
  • Waterproof jacket/windbreaker (if required)
  • SPF and other sun protection

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.

Why choose a Loire holiday with Headwater?

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.

  • Highly rated holidays - We've got a 4.6 rating on Feefo from satisfied customers who've been on our activity holidays.

  • Exciting destinations - Our five-step approval process means we only offer outstanding locations and impressive hotels that will give you the activity holiday you want.

  • Hassle-free travel - We'll arrange all the travel for your Loire Valley cycling holiday, including booking your flights.

  • Sustainable adventures - The People, Places & Planet plan is moving us towards becoming Nature Net Positive and helping our tours run sustainably.

  • ABTA- and ATOL-protected - Book your Loire cycling tour with peace of mind thanks to it being ABTA- and ATOL-protected. You can learn more about your key rights when booking a holiday with us.

  • Supporting communities - We give back to communities via The Exodus Travels Foundation. We aim to make a difference in social, conservation, and disaster relief causes.

  • Award-winning holidays - Our adventure holidays have won British Travel Awards for the exciting and unique experiences we offer you.

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