The best traffic-free bike rides around Lac de Paladru

This guide features 5 carefully selected routes that offer a traffic-free gravel biking experience around Lac de Paladru. These routes range in difficulty from moderate to difficult, providing diverse options for your ride.

While many routes in the area offer varied terrain, this guide includes one moderate route that might be more suitable for those looking for a less challenging ride: the Étang de Malseroud – Moulin Lapérouse loop from Saint-André-le-Gaz. It covers just over 20 km with a manageable elevation gain.

The traffic-free gravel trails around Lac de Paladru offer a mix of surfaces. You'll encounter segments of hard coating, gravel, and paths through undergrowth, such as in the Bois d'Amour. Some routes may include unpaved sections that can be challenging, occasionally requiring you to push your bike.

Yes, all the routes featured in this guide are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, you can explore the Les 3 Croix Panorama du Lac – Chemin des marais loop from Villages du Lac de Paladru, which offers stunning views and a diverse ride.

Many of the routes start from villages around the lake, such as Villages du Lac de Paladru, Charavines, or Montferrat, where public parking is generally available. These villages are well-equipped to welcome visitors.

The region is beautiful throughout the warmer months, from spring to autumn, when the weather is generally mild and the trails are dry. The 'blue lake' is particularly inviting during these seasons, and the surrounding woodlands are vibrant. Winter riding is possible but can be more challenging due to colder temperatures and potentially wet or icy conditions.

While the routes in this guide are generally rated moderate to difficult, the region offers a 7 km greenway on the eastern part of the lake, which is ideal for families or those seeking a very relaxed, traffic-free ride. For a slightly longer, moderate option, consider the Étang de Malseroud – Moulin Lapérouse loop.

You'll be treated to expansive panoramas of Lac de Paladru's crystalline waters, often referred to as the 'blue lake.' From higher points, such as near St-Pierre de Paladru, you can even catch glimpses of Mont Blanc and the surrounding Bauges, Chartreuse, and Belledonne mountain ranges. Routes also wind through picturesque woodlands like the Bois d'Amour and along tranquil greenways.

Yes, Charavines, a commune on the south side of the lake, is particularly bike-friendly. It offers services such as a free tire inflation station and bike rentals. The local Tourist Office is also certified as 'Bike Friendly,' indicating a good level of support for cyclists in the area.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the stunning 'blue lake' views, the peacefulness of the traffic-free routes, and the diverse terrain that makes for an engaging gravel biking experience. The opportunity to combine a ride with a dip in the lake or exploring charming villages is also frequently highlighted.

Lac de Paladru is an important ecological site. While riding through woodlands and along the lake's edge, you might encounter various aquatic birds and other local fauna. A 1-kilometer trail between Paladru and Montferrat is specifically designed for discovering the area's remarkable flora and fauna in a sensitive natural area.

For those seeking a longer and more challenging adventure, the Côte du Rousset – Longechenal Church loop from Le Grand-Lemps is a difficult route spanning over 48 km with significant elevation gain, offering a substantial ride away from traffic.