Velodyssey

From Devon to Brittany

This section of 440km (265 miles) linking Ilfracombe in North Devon to Redon in Southern Brittany, via Okehampton, Tavistock, Morlaix and Josselin. Velodyssey follows the European Cycle route EV1and is part of a longer itinerary along the French Atlantic coast down to the Spanish border.

This route is quite different from the two others in not only being a ‘there and back again’ itinerary, but also by staying mostly inland to traverse a large part of both Brittany and Devon – mainly along old railway lines and beside canals – with the opportunity to take a delightful detour into the heart of Cornwall on the hugely popular Camel Trail.

This route will particularly appeal to families as the route is generally flat and off-road. It also includes travelling over the biggest single new piece of infrastructure being built as part of the project: the construction of Gem Bridge at Grenofen. The 200m long, 24m high bridge will connect Dartmoor National Park with Plymouth and provide spectacular views of Dartmoor and the Walkham Valley.

The Camel Trail is recommended detour: 27km of flat and scenic cycling along a former railway line that connects the seaside town of Padstow, Bodmin – the gateway to Bodmin Moor - and the pretty market town of Wadebridge. It already attracts 400,000 users each year.

Once on the Brittany side approaching Carhaix, another detour to Huelgoat is also strongly recommended – an historic village on a lake, set amongst the vestiges of an ancient forest that once covered much of Brittany before connecting to a section takes cyclists along the canal from Nantes to Brest.
 

From Brittany to the Basque Country along the Atlantic coast.

Just imagine: a bike, the Atlantic and you. In 2012, The Velodyssey, an outstanding new 1200km route running through France from Brittany to the Basque Country, will link Roscoff in Finistère to Hendaye in the Basque Country, passing through 10 French departements and 4 regions on the  EV1 European Cycle Route– at the gentle pace of cycle tourism.

There are plenty of adventures awaiting you on The Velodyssey as you travel through outstanding regions and visit amazing sites. Depending on your chosen route, you can picnic on the unspoiltVendée coast, in the Landes forest, by the Nantes-Brest canal or amid the Poitevin wetlands.

Visit Nantes Château, Bayonne Citadel, or simply stroll through the narrow streets of Saint-Jean de Luz, Rochefort and Hendaye. Gaze at Fort Boyard from the towers of La Rochelle, look down on the ocean from the Dune of Pylaabove Arcachon Bay. There’s more in store further afield, too:the Velodyssey adventure continues in Spainand England along European Cycle Route no. 1.

The route will open in spring 2012.