Lyon
Riverside bike rides from Lyon: the Saône and the Rhône
Rides from Place Bellecour along the Saône and the Rhône: a loop of both rivers through the city, and longer rides up the Saône valley to Neuville and Trévoux. The table shows how far each one runs beside the water.
The 4 rides side by side
| Ride | Distance | Climbing | Bike paths & quiet streets | Busier roads | Steepest 500 m | Riding time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rhône and the Saône, Tête d'Or to Confluence | 29.7 km | 212 m | 65% | 5% | 10.4% | 1 h 20–1 h 45 |
| Neuville-sur-Saône | 36.5 km | 144 m | 71% | 2% | 3.4% | 1 h 25–1 h 55 |
| Up the Saône to Neuville, back by the other bank | 36.5 km | 197 m | 65% | 5% | 5.7% | 1 h 30–2 h 00 |
| Trévoux | 63.2 km | 399 m | 43% | 5% | 7.4% | 2 h 40–3 h 35 |
Distances are the whole ride, there and back (km). Riding time is our estimate at a sporty pace and counts the climbing; allow more for stops.
Each ride
1 Lyon · the Rhône and the Saône, Tête d'Or to Confluence
- Along the water for 16 km
- 65% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- Main climb 84 m over 2.35 km, 3.6% average
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 21 toilets, 21 water points, 40 cafés mapped.
2 Lyon to Neuville-sur-Saône
- Along the water most of the way
- 71% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 5 toilets, 9 water points, 15 cafés mapped.
3 Lyon · up the Saône to Neuville, back by the other bank
- Along the water for 26 km
- 65% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 5 toilets, 8 water points, 14 cafés mapped.
4 Lyon to Trévoux
- Along the water for 28 km
- Main climb 87 m over 3.85 km, 2.3% average
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
- 5% on busier roads
On the way: 9 toilets, 10 water points, 13 cafés mapped.
How we chose them
From every ride we publish around Lyon, these are the ones that meet all of:
- at least 20 km in all
- at least 15 km beside water
- at least 40% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- at most 8% on busier roads
The numbers come from OpenStreetMap and terrain data, measured along each route by our engine (how rides are made). They are modelled, not checked on the ground, and say nothing about who should ride them: you know your riders best.
Before you go
- The rivers loop climbs out of the city in one place; it is not flat all the way (see the steepest 500 m).
Questions
Can you cycle along the Saône from Lyon?
Yes: these rides spend 16.2 km–28.4 km beside the water. The longest goes to Trévoux.
More rides around Lyon
Route data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: Mapzen Terrarium. Catalogue lyon-58eeab38ca3bfa2bfa12.