The best traffic-free bike rides around Penguily

There are 5 dedicated no-traffic gravel bike trails around Penguily featured in this guide. These routes offer a mix of moderate and difficult options, allowing you to explore the quiet countryside of Côtes-d'Armor.

The terrain around Penguily and the wider Côtes-d'Armor region is characterized by rolling countryside, granite outcroppings, and proximity to smaller rivers. You'll find a blend of unpaved paths, quiet country roads, and sections through bocages (woodlands and hedgerows), providing a varied and engaging gravel biking experience away from traffic.

Yes, many of the routes are designed as circular loops. For example, the Floating bridge – Lake Jugon loop from Plénée-Jugon offers a challenging circular ride around Lake Jugon, providing beautiful views and a traffic-free experience.

While riding the gravel trails, you can encounter several points of interest. The Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Mount Bel-Air loop from Bréhand, for instance, takes you past the notable Chapelle Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel and offers views of Mount Bel-Air. The region is also dotted with charming villages and natural features like the Gouessant River.

While the routes in this guide are rated moderate to difficult, the region offers many quiet country roads and paths that can be adapted for family rides. For a taste of the local landscape, the Gouessant River Trail – Sorie Lamballe loop from Lamballe is a moderate option that follows the river, providing a relatively gentle introduction to gravel biking in the area.

Brittany's temperate oceanic climate allows for year-round outdoor pursuits. However, the best time for gravel biking is typically during the moderately warm summers or mild spring and autumn months. While rain is frequent, these seasons offer pleasant temperatures for exploring the diverse landscapes.

Many natural trails and quiet country paths in the Côtes-d'Armor region are dog-friendly, especially if your dog is accustomed to cycling alongside you. It's always advisable to keep dogs on a leash, particularly in areas with livestock or near roads, and to check local regulations for specific trails or nature reserves.

Parking is generally available in the starting towns of the routes, such as Lamballe, Bréhand, or Plénée-Jugon. Look for public parking areas within these communes, which often serve as convenient access points for exploring the surrounding trails.

While Penguily is inland, the wider Côtes-d'Armor department is known for its diverse landscapes, including rugged coastlines. The Dahouët Harbour – Dahouët Marina loop from Lamballe offers a moderate ride that takes you towards the coast, providing views of the harbor and marina, blending inland gravel with coastal scenery.

The komoot community highly rates the routes in this area, with an average score of 4.7 stars. Reviewers often praise the quiet, traffic-free nature of the trails, the varied Breton countryside, and the opportunity to discover charming villages and natural landmarks away from busy roads.

Yes, for experienced riders seeking a challenge, routes like the Ponts-Neufs Viaduct – Ponts-Neufs Viaduct loop from Lamballe are rated as difficult. These longer routes feature significant elevation gains and diverse surfaces, providing a demanding yet rewarding gravel biking experience.