Voyage en vélo aux Sources de la Bio Vallée

Explore the Diois, a land of ecological transition where the Drôme rises, and immerse yourself in a mosaic of landscapes: verdant forests, sun-drenched vineyards, fragrant lavender fields, immense Vercors cliffs, perched medieval villages...

Highlights of the trip
- An unspoilt natural and cultural environment
- Small roads, cycle paths and carriageways with very little traffic
- Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Drôme and its tributaries
- Authentic, eco-friendly accommodation
- Exciting encounters with local people committed to the Living World

Itinerary
A leisurely itinerary, with 2-3 hours of cycling each day, and the crossing of a few passes, sometimes overhead, on small, rolling roads and tracks. Plenty of breaks to visit villages, swim in the Drôme and its tributaries, and meet committed local people.
Day 1: Die - Archiane | 30 km
We welcome you at the Die base camp and hand you over your travel companions: the fully-equipped electric bikes and your Appli. You'll cycle along small roads and tracks alongside the River Drôme (several bathing spots signposted on the Appli de Chemins), then the landscape is shaped by endless vineyards. Discover the charming medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois and then climb towards the Archiane cirque.
‍Day 2: Archiane - Boulc | 35 km
Head for the Boulc valley, first by road towards Glandage (several beautiful basins await you for a refreshing swim), then by carriageable tracks. You climb up to the Col de Boulc (1300 m), the highest point of your route. Descend to the village, then a short, steep climb to the hamlet of Pré Martal.
Day 3: Boulc - Bellegarde-en-Diois | 40 km
You climb up the Boulc valley towards the Col Miscon through wild landscapes, before embarking on a long descent to Le Claps, a spectacular rockfall in the Drôme river, which is also a water reservoir where you can cool off in the shade of the pines and watch the Drôme jump. Climb to the Col de Prémol before descending to the village of Bellegarde.
Day 4: Bellegarde-en-Diois - La-Motte-Chalancon | 25 km | 35 km
This is the southernmost part of the Diois, in the Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies provençales. A short option is to reach La Motte Chalancon by road. If you prefer an aerial trail, then opt for the longer route that takes you past Cornillac and the Pas des Ondes lake.
Day 5: La-Motte-Chalancon - Pradelle | 30 km
Another aerial stage, with several passes! First the Col des Roustans (1000 m) after the village of Chalancon, then the Col du Portail (800 m) and the Col des Guillens (800 m) after Volvent. Descend to Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert before returning to the Roanne valley, with its gorges and pools awaiting you for refreshing swims.
‍Day 6: Pradelle - Sainte-Croix | 25 km or 45 km
Today, you can choose between two options. A quiet route to enjoy bathing in the basins, or an aerial route with long climbs to discover the perched villages of Aucelon and Pennes-le-Sec. Soon you're back in the Drôme valley, ending the stage in the perched village of Sainte-Croix.
Day 7: Sainte-Croix - Die | 35 km
This final stage takes you up the Quint valley, with its fantastic scenery at the foot of the Vercors cliffs, to the village of Saint-Julien-en-Quint. Climb to the Col de Marignac (740 m) and reach the village of the same name, before leaving the asphalt and reaching the village of Chamaloc on a pretty track, which continues to Romeyer, before reaching Die.