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Cycling around Gannat: the Val de Sioule greenway and mountain bike loops

Published 25 August 2021

Gannat is the starting point of a greenway opened in October 2024, which runs car-free to Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule along a former railway line. For those who prefer trails, several waymarked mountain bike routes also start from the town. Here are the routes worth knowing, from the easiest to the most challenging.

The greenway from Gannat to Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule

Led by the Saint-Pourçain Sioule Limagne community of communes, this greenway largely reuses the track bed of the former railway line. It passes through Saulzet, Le Mayet-d'École, Saint-Germain-de-Salles and Bayet before reaching Saint-Pourçain. The whole project covers about 27 km.

• Surface: smooth tarmac or compacted gravel, suitable for city bikes, rollerblades and pushchairs.
• Difficulty: very easy, with little climbing, since it follows a former railway line.
• Facilities: picnic areas and car parks along the route.

For a first outing, a round trip to Le Mayet-d'École or Bayet is enough to fill half a day. More experienced cyclists can ride all the way to Saint-Pourçain, for lunch in town or a visit to a winery before heading back.

Combine with the rail bikes and the Via Allier

At Le Mayet-d'École, on the greenway route, you will find the Vélorail de la Sioule, which runs from April to the end of October by booking. With children, you can combine a bike ride and a rail bike trip on the same day. Our article Vélorail de la Sioule presents the routes.

In Saint-Pourçain, you join the Via Allier, the cycle route that follows the Allier river. It lets you continue north to Moulins, for a touring trip of several days.

Mountain bike trails from Gannat

The Val de Sioule has waymarked several mountain bike loops. The most convenient from town is the Mont Libre trail:

• starts from the Maison du Tourisme, place du Champ de Foire;
• 8 km loop, about 170 m of climbing;
• blue level (moderate), yellow waymarks, rideable all year round;
• passes through Saint-Genès-du-Retz and Saint-Priest-d'Andelot, near the Mont Libre protected natural area.

Other trails exist around Gannat, for example towards the Château de Veauce or in the Sussat valley. Route sheets and maps are available from the Val de Sioule tourist office, at the Maison du Tourisme in Gannat.

On the road: the Sioule gorges and Charroux

For road cyclists, two classic destinations start from Gannat. Charroux, to the north, is a short but steady climb up to one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France). To the west, Ébreuil opens the way to the Sioule gorges road towards Chouvigny, with more climbing and heavier traffic in summer. In both cases, ride early in the morning during hot spells.

Where to park your bike

The Le Mont Libre campsite in Gannat is well suited to cyclists: cottages or pitches, with arrival possible until 10 pm. In town, our apartments and houses in Gannat are close to the greenway. At the other end of the route, the Résidence Penaud in Saulcet sits among the Saint-Pourçain vineyards. All our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.