The heights of Hermitage

This trail is quite difficult therefore more suitable for the more experienced cyclist. The few uphill sections are steep and the downhill ones, although thrilling, are technical at the same time. Enjoy some magnificent tracks after the strenuous climb uphill towards the start. Take the time for a short detour to visit the chapel and admire the view over the valleys of Hermitage and area around Tournon. Going through vineyards, the terrific downhill section that follows is very technical.

Go round the car park and under the railway bridge then turn right. 1 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m Continue ahead towards the winery (cave à vin). The uphill climb starts on the D241 to your left : Careful traffic ! On the bend come off the road onto the path straight ahead. About 500m further on, before the bend, turn right onto the steep uphill track. Once at the top turn right onto the lane. Follow the signs towards Larnage on the D241 : Careful traffic !2 - Larnage - 207 mIn the centre of the village turn left towards Crozes Hermitage then right uphill on the road towards the housing estate. The road then becomes a track. When you reach the road, turn right and carry on. 3 - Les Méjeans - 348 m Continue ahead. 4 - Les Méjeans Nord - 350 m Take the road on the left and continue for about 200m. Turn left onto the path : a pleasant, fast downhill slope through woodland with no particular difficulty. 5 - Val de Gervans - 190 m Turn left and continue downhill on the wide track. 6 - Gervans Rue du Ruisseau - 140 m Continue ahead.7 - Gervans - 140 m Turn left.8 - Chemin des Voussères - 130 m Take the path on the left going along the railway track for about 1km and leading to the D163. Turn left onto the D163 : Careful traffic ! Head for Crozes Hermitage.9 - Crozes Hermitage - 145 m Just before the bridge, near the townhall, take the road to your right. 10 - Les Pinets Here, the uphill trail starts along the heights of the town of Tain l’Hermitage 11 - L'Hermite - 239 m Continue ahead. Further on, the road becomes track. At the following junction carry on ahead along the path. Enjoy the beautiful panorama here. The downhill section is quite technical going through fields and heading towards Tain l’Hermitage. 12 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m Turn right back onto the same road as the beginning of the trail and head back to the Velodis car park.