The best road cycling routes around Plombières-Les-Bains

The region offers a diverse range of road cycling routes, from moderate to difficult, traversing mid-mountain terrain, extensive pine forests, and scenic valleys. You'll find options that follow former railway lines, providing mostly paved surfaces and varied scenery, as well as routes with significant elevation gain for more challenging rides.

Yes, for easier and family-friendly rides, the Hautes-Vosges Greenway is an excellent choice. This multi-activity tarmac track, built on former railway lines, offers superb scenery and is perfect for a leisurely ride. It branches into two main sections from Remiremont, one towards Bussang (30 km) and another more picturesque section to Cornimont (20 km).

For those seeking a challenge, the mid-mountain terrain around Plombières-Les-Bains provides routes with substantial elevation. A notable difficult route is the Col de Sapois – Climb Col de Grosse Pierre loop from Plombières-les-Bains, which covers 97.3 km with over 1600 meters of ascent.

Many routes in the region offer splendid views of the Vosges landscape. The Path near Les Mousses – View of Blanzey loop from Plombières-les-Bains is a popular choice among local cyclists for its expansive vistas across the region. The Hautes-Vosges Greenway also provides superb scenery of the valleys.

Beyond the local loops, the region features longer cycling experiences. 'La Route des Chalots' offers a more extensive 120 km cycling route winding through the Southern Vosges, connecting numerous natural and heritage sites. Additionally, the Vosges canal loop from Plombières-les-Bains is a challenging 105 km route.

The natural environment is rich with features like extensive pine forests, serene ponds, and unique peat bogs. You might encounter rivers, such as along the Gué du Saut Waterfall – Remiremont town center loop from Plombières-les-Bains, which passes a waterfall. The region is also part of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, known for its authentic natural spaces and biodiversity.

Plombières-Les-Bains itself is a historic spa town with rich thermal heritage and architectural charm, known as the 'city of a thousand balconies.' Nearby, you can explore sites like the Fort du Parmont, the Saint-Pierre Abbey of Remiremont, or the Hérival Priory. The Intersection of the Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges is also a notable point of interest for cyclists.

The road cycling routes around Plombières-Les-Bains are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars. Cyclists often praise the varied terrain, the well-maintained roads, and the beautiful, calm forests and splendid views that define the 'Secret Vosges' area.

There are over 40 road cycling routes available around Plombières-Les-Bains, offering a wide range of distances and difficulty levels to suit different preferences.

The region is generally excellent for road cycling from spring through autumn. During these seasons, the weather is typically mild, and the natural landscapes, including the extensive pine forests and valleys, are at their most vibrant and accessible.

Yes, many of the routes around Plombières-Les-Bains are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. Examples include the Col de Sapois – Climb Col de Grosse Pierre loop and the Gué du Saut Waterfall – Remiremont town center loop, both starting from Plombières-les-Bains.

While specific public transport links directly to all trailheads might vary, towns like Remiremont, which is a hub for the Hautes-Vosges Greenway, are generally accessible by public transport. From there, you can often connect to various cycling routes.