The Ardèche Gorges, famous for the canyon carved by the river and the Pont d’Arc arch, also make for a superb gravel playground on the limestone plateau above: quiet backroads, rocky tracks and stone villages typical of the Ardèche hinterland.
A route between plateau and viewpoints
From Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, the route first follows the gorge road to the Pont d’Arc viewpoint, before turning onto the plateau above the canyon via lightly trafficked tracks and small roads. The scenery alternates between scrubland, sparse oak groves and views down into the canyon, with an optional detour to Aiguèze, a village listed among the “most beautiful villages of France” perched on the neighbouring Gard riverbank.
For a full loop, allow around 65 km and 900 m of climbing between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, the Saint-Remèze plateau and a return via Ruoms — a demanding route mixing flowing sections with rockier stretches typical of the limestone plateau (causse).
How to approach the ride
The limestone plateau offers little shade over long stretches: carrying more water than usual is recommended, especially as refill points become scarce once you leave the main villages. A gravel tyre in the 38-42mm range with a light tread suits the plateau’s rockier tracks well.
In summer, fire risk can lead to temporary closures of some forest tracks — check locally (town hall, tourist office) before heading out during the dry season.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best conditions: milder temperatures, less traffic on the touristy gorge roads, and lower fire risk. Summer, heavily used by tourists there for canoeing and swimming, is best avoided for this route.
Good to know
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, the tourist gateway to the Ardèche Gorges, has a wide choice of accommodation and bike rental shops, with an offering that grows each year to serve the gravel and bikepacking crowd.