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Dedicated Bike Path Recommendations for kids/family (Southern France & Italy)

Posted by (Phoenix, Arizona) on

We are looking forward to our first trip with our kids to Italy and Southern France (May/June timeframe).

I’d love any recommendations on dedicated bike paths or bike only locations anywhere in Italy or Southern France. Countryside and/or within towns are both great.

For example, we are planning on going to Annecy and enjoying the dedicated path around the lake. I also believe Ferrara, Parma are very bike friendly locations. There may be a few good options in Provence as well, and even down in Puglia.

It doesn’t need to be a perfectly paved trail, but something kids (6-8) will be able to handle who are good on bikes.

Thank you very much in advance

Posted by
512 posts

EuroVelo has bike trails and paths all over Europe. Some are fully developed, others still in the planning stages and some are in between. Paper and dowloladable maps are available.

https://en.eurovelo.com/

Posted by
299 posts

Look at some of the offerings from Backroads to see what whets your appetite. They have descriptions of the best kid friendly routes. I am interested in the Loire Valley with our kids.

Posted by
2309 posts

Think about Lucca - riding on top of the old city walls. No cars, just bikes and pedestrians. It's a great town, too.

Posted by
7312 posts

About Annecy, watch out: the bike path does not go the whole way around the lake. You can go all along the western side, and on the eastern side roughly to the Roc de Chère (as well as through Talloires), but there's a missing bit or two in the south-east and I wouldn't say that traffic is light.
Therefore, while adults/teens would be fine, I am not sure I would be comfortable doing the whole loop with young children.

Posted by
31 posts

Thank you very much

Will certainly look at Backroads for some inspiration/suggestions. May end up contacting them, as they could arrange a few day excursions with their expertise.

Lucca is also an excellent recommendation. My wife and I enjoyed doing that in Lucca about 20 years when traveling post college.

Yes, for Annecy Lake, we will be keep to the Western side.
https://www.lac-annecy.com/content/uploads/2021/03/tour_lac_annecy_velo.pdf

In Provence, I found Calavon Greenway, which could be a good option.

Thank you again, and certainly open to any more suggestions!

Posted by
1321 posts

How about the Midi Canal out of Toulouse? Or the bike path the follows to Po river (canal) which starts south of Venice

Posted by
1825 posts

In Amsterdam, Vondelpark or even better North of the city on the other side of the water. The gardens at Versaille have bike rentals and lots of room to ride. Villa Borghese in Rome has bike rentals and lots of paths. Also, anywhere with a canal.

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