Cycling tours between Arles, the Alpilles and the Camargue

The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in Arles: Hiking, Gravel, Cycle Touring and Mountain Biking

Arles is not just a cultural capital with legendary Roman amphitheaters or the sanctuary that inspired Van Gogh. It is also, and this is less well known, the perfect base for any cyclist seeking escape. Located at the crossroads of worlds, the city of Arles opens its doors to two regional natural parks with fierce and contrasting identities: the Alpilles and the Camargue .

Whether you are a Gravel enthusiast looking for dusty white trails, a long-distance cycle tourist, a technical mountain biking fanatic or a fan of family outings, the Arles region offers an endless playground.

To fully enjoy this adventure, leave your saddlebags at Maisons de Thaïs . These havens of peace in the heart of Arles or its surrounding countryside offer ideal comfort, secure spaces for your horses, and authentic Provençal charm to relax after a long day in the saddle.

1. Gravel riding in the Alpilles: White trails and golden limestone

Gravel riding has found its promised land in the Alpilles. Between olive groves, vineyards, and white limestone cliffs, the mountain range offers rugged yet accessible terrain, perfect for 40mm tires. For purists of the discipline, reading Bike Café 's articles confirms that Provence has become the new Eldorado of lightweight off-road adventure.

Route 1: The Ridge and Olive Tree Loop (Intermediate Level)

• Distance: 45 km | Elevation gain: 650 m+

• Route: Starting from Arles, take the shared country roads to Fontvieille. Climb towards Montmajour Abbey, then head into the Alpilles mountains via the DFCI (Forest Fire Prevention) tracks. You'll cross fragrant garrigue landscapes before reaching the perched village of Les Baux-de-Provence. The return journey takes you through the Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell) and along the rolling tracks that wind through the olive groves of Maussane.

Route 2: The "Arles to Saint-Rémy Gravel" via the ridges (Sporty level)

• Distance: 68 km | Elevation gain: 950 m+

• Route: A more demanding route that leaves Arles heading towards Eygalières before returning via Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This route follows forest tracks that are sometimes rough and require good riding skills. The 360° panoramic views over the Durance valley on one side and the Crau plain on the other are a well-deserved reward for the effort.

• Inspiration: To understand the spirit of these southern crossings, feel free to read the stories of wild travel in Journal 200 , which often highlight these micro-adventures without borders.

  

2. Cycling in the Camargue: The endless wilderness along the water

A radical change of scenery. Heading south, the landscape flattens out, giving way to absolute horizontality where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean. Cycling tourism takes on its full meaning here, accompanied by the cries of flamingos and the hooves of wild horses. The Camargue invites contemplative travel.

Route 3: The Sea Dike and the Vaccarès Lagoon (Easy/Family Level)

• Distance: 65 km | Elevation gain: Completely flat

• Route: Leave Arles via the Via Rhôna towards Le Sambuc. Then head towards the shores of the Étang de Vaccarès. The highlight is undoubtedly the section along the Digue à la Mer (Sea Dyke) , a compacted dirt track closed to motorized vehicles that separates the lagoons from the open sea. You will reach Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer before climbing back up along the tracks that run alongside the bull ranches.

Route 4: Between Rice Fields and Salt Flats, the Grand Tour of the Vaccarès (Medium Level - Endurance)

• Distance: 90 km | Elevation gain: Completely flat (but watch out for the wind!)

• Route: This large loop circumnavigates the legendary pond. It takes you through the agricultural landscapes of the Camargue rice paddies, passes through the village of Paty, and then descends to the Gacholle lighthouse. A total immersion where managing the Mistral wind becomes the main factor in your progress.

• Technical note: As often indicated by the technical department of Bike Café , the choice of tires on this type of terrain alternating between bumpy asphalt and fine gravel is crucial: a 38mm "semi-slick" type tire offers the perfect performance here.

3. Mountain biking and Cross-Country (XC) on the technical singletracks of Val d'Enfer

For those who like a bumpy ride, precise handling and sharp acceleration, the foothills of the Alpilles hold treasures of singletrack trails perfect for mountain biking.

Route 5: The Paradou and Baux-de-Provence Tour (Technical Level)

• Distance: 35 km | Elevation gain: 800 m+

• Route: This trail alternates between impossible climbs on slippery rock slabs and technical descents in the shaded valleys of Paradou. The sections near the light quarries offer breathtaking views.

• Important safety information: Be aware of restricted areas in summer due to fire risks: always check access to the mountain ranges on the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture website before planning your mountain bike outing.

4. Preparing your tour of Arles: Guidebooks and resources

The region has developed significantly to accommodate cyclists (certified hotels, safe greenways). To precisely plan your routes, several official platforms are available:

• The official routes of the department: The Provence Vélo website brings together dozens of marked and signposted loops, downloadable for free in GPX format for your bike GPS or your smartphone.

• Major European routes: Arles is positioned at the crossroads of major routes such as the Via Rhôna (EuroVelo 17) or the EuroVelo 8 (The Mediterranean by bike), perfect for a gentle approach to long-distance travel or light bikepacking.

Why choose to stay at Maisons de Thaïs ?

The secret to a successful cycling holiday lies as much in the beauty of the routes as in the quality of the rest and relaxation. The Maisons de Thaïs embody this unique lifestyle where time seems to stand still.

After an exhilarating day exploring the Camargue's ponds or climbing the limestone trails of the Alpilles, what a joy it is to plunge into the coolness of a secluded pool, relax in a private garden, and store your equipment in a secure room designed for high-end bicycles. Whether you choose a characterful residence in the heart of Arles' historic center or a farmhouse nestled in the surrounding countryside, you'll be ideally located at the center of all the routes described in this guide.

The cycling adventure is waiting for you: sharpen your gears, download your GPS tracks, and come discover a wild, authentic and incredibly rideable Provence.