The 10 most beautiful bike rides to make in Lyon

A city that lives with its time, Lyon has been implementing everything for several years to encourage the practice of the two wheels. With its exceptional site, its two rivers and its attractive surroundings, there is a good way to compose a beautiful programme of bike rides in Lyon!

Lyonnais is a year-round, or a visitor to the city, cycling in Lyon is a great way to discover not only the city, but also the pretty hilly countryside of the Rhone.

This is why we chose to divide our selection of bike routes into two categories: the most beautiful bike rides from Lyon, and the most beautiful outings of the area.

The most beautiful bike rides in Lyon

1. Bike tour along the banks of the Rhone

Let's start with a classic bike ride in Lyon: the banks of the Rhone. In one direction or in the other, this exit works the same way, and allows you to connect the Parc de la Tête d’Or with the mythical Stade de Gerland, without ever leaving the river of eyes.

Attention to pedestrians and walkers, many especially on the weekend, but apart from that, this walk does not present any difficulties, and easily travels with children. Water points, spots in the sun and some beautiful terraces invite to mark breaks on the way.

2. Bike tour along the banks of the Saône

After the Rhone, the Saône, because one never goes without the other in Lyon. The starting point is on the docks, not far from Place Bellecour in the heart of the peninsula. Very quickly, you will find yourself with the reliefs of the Fourvière hill and the Old Lyon on one side, and the urbanized slopes of the Croix-Rousse on the other: the historic Lyon scenery par excellence.

This pleasant bike ride in Lyon continues its way along the Saône, before leaving on the bank opposite the level of Barbe Island. A cyclist itinerary in a nice loop and without major difficulty, easy to prolong for those who would still be under the pedal.

3. The Green Way to the Jonage Canal

This bike ride in Lyon is a bit the continuation of the first exit along the banks of the Rhone. At the start of the Parc de la Tête d’Or, it is an easy level route to get out of the urban heart of Lyon, while staying close to the river.

Once past the International City of Lyon, you enter the territory of Villeurbanne via the Natural Park of Feyssine, wooded and green: ideal for a break in the grass or the waterfront for a picnic. Later, the return will be by the same route, no risk of being mistaken!

4. The Tower of the Parc de la Tête d’Or

The Parc de la Tête d’Or is a bike ride in Lyon all found if you pedal with children for example. There is a lot of space to get rid of a good time, without any risk of driving or other motor vehicles whose cyclists are easily passing, especially with the youngest.

The Tower of the Parc de la Tête d’Or is thus classed as an easy and accessible ride for all: attention to the walkers who walk through the paths! Everything goes there during this lovely walk full of curiosities: the Lake of the Golden Head, the Grande Île, the zoo of Lyon, the botanical garden, etc...

5. The climb of Fourvière by bike

All bike rides in Lyon are not easy, far from there... With the ascent of the Fourvière hill, make sure that your plateaus work well, because it climbs seriously!

This rather corsé circuit due to the positive disappointment offers you the possibility to pass through several must-sees in Lyon: Place Bellecour to take its momentum, the steep ascent of Fourvière, the view from the Basilica of Notre-Dame, the ancient Roman theatres, then the redescent to the Rhone, suddenly much faster.

The most beautiful bike rides around Lyon

6. The buckle of Saint-Cyr at Mont D’Or

There is no need to go far away to be overwhelmed and out of town. Among the most beautiful bike rides in Lyon, the Saint-Cyr loop at Mont D’Or (22 minutes by car) will be the opportunity to explore the small Monts d’Or mountain range from its most outstanding village.

From an already higher level than the city's OL rides, expect a lot of disappointment in these soft landscapes of low mountains. Or will you be tempted by the high hills where Mont Verdun, the highest point of the corner at 626m altitude? A splendid day outing, with multiple stopovers on the way.

7. The Tour du Lac aux Eaux Bleues

In the near outskirts of Lyon, this bike and family route takes place all around Lake Blue Water, in the Grand Park of Miribel-Jonage (a 20-minute drive). This great artificial lake has become a real place to preserve nature, while offering a large area of leisure to the inhabitants of the Lyon metropolis.

A pleasant bike ride in Lyon especially recommended in beautiful days. When it’s hot, the Lac des Eaux Bleues offers several opportunities to swim, perfect to cool between two pedal strokes... think about your swimsuits!

8. The Grand Park of Miribel Jonage

Also in the popular area of the Grand Park of Miribel Jonage, north-east of Lyon, we change the scale with a longer and more demanding output than the previous one, but in an almost identical setting: a large tower through the island of Miribel-Jonage (a 20-minute drive).

A good bowl of air and greenery is on the programme of this bike ride in Lyon, which winds between the lakes, crosses fields and wooded areas, and runs along the road to halage on the Jonage canal. A beautiful two-wheel drive, for bike or mountain bike.

9. La Saône de Fontaines in Neuville

This pretty bike ride in Lyon leads us upstream on the Saône course, with a starting point in Fontaines-sur-Saône more precisely (25 minutes in TER or by car). More widely wooded, the banks of the river really give the feeling of gradually leaving the Lyon metropolis, and yet the city is never far away.

Prudence, however, by location, the track is not always very wide. At the level of Neuville-sur-Saône, take the bridge to ejaculate the river, and close the loop.

10. The buckle around Orliénas

En route to the southwest this time (26 minutes drive), for a bike ride in Lyon to discover several villages and the countryside of the department of the Rhone. Vourles, Orliénas, Brignais, an alternation of roads and trails, this cyclist tour is more suitable for lovers of long and sometimes technical excursions.

A mountain bike will probably not be too much in places, go equipped accordingly!