Especially for families on greenways

Here is a selection of the easiest routes on the Tour de Manche that you can enjoy as a family. From 8 to 25km, these gentle itineraries mostly follow greenways. Also in this section you will find helpful tips for making sure your family rides run smoothly and keep everyone smiling.

Some advice to make sure your cycling get-away is a real pleasure

Don’t over-estimate your own, or your children’s abilities: start with short stages and build gradually: 15 to 25kms a day is ideal for beginners	Consider taking a third wheel or bicycle trailer: this is much greater fun - and more comfortable - than a child seat, although consider how long your child will be able to spend in one
Tell your children about essential safety rules: respect the rules of the road: keep in to the right in France (left for UK) and always look ahead; stop before crossing a road	Check the size of the bicycle is adjusted to the child: use the controls and adjustments on the bike to meet your child’s needs.
Make frequent stops: make the most of these to discover tourist spots and other attractions	Think ahead about energy-packed provisions: don’t forget to take enough liquids with you

Ideas for family cycle rides

Here is a selection of the easiest routes on the Tour de Manche that you can enjoy as a family.

Family cycle trips in Normandy:

Exploring the Vire Valley: 31.6 km

> Saint-Lô - Pont-Farcy

Leaving Saint-Lô, you cycle beside the River Vire, as far as Pont-Farcy, and go along the undulating green cycleway (a former towpath) which gives you a spectacular panoramic view over the valley from the Roches de Ham. You can also admire the river heritage of the Vire (locks, dams, etc.) that are reminders of its past.
On the way: Saint-Lô, the ‘Capital of the Horse’; the Condé-sur-Vire leisure centre; the Roches de Ham cliffs.

The stretch from Saint-Lô to Condé-sur-Vire: 12.1 km
The stretch to Condé-sur-Vire: 19.5 km

Exploring the Normandy Bocage: 42.4 km

> Vire -Mortain

Start from Vire and follow this former railway track, now converted into a green cycleway
On the way: The Vire Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires (Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions), the Lac de La Dathée, a stop-off for walkers and cyclists at Saint-Germain-de-Tallevende

The stretch from Vire to Sourdeval: 18.2 km
The stretch from Sourdeval to Mortain: 24.2 km

Family cycle trips in Brittany:

Between polders and grazing land in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay: 20 km

> Chapelle Sainte-Anne (Saint-Broladre) - Mont-Saint-Michel

From the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, you follow the very pleasant Duchess Anne dyke to get to Le Couesnon River and then cover the last few kilometres to Mont-Saint-Michel along the river bank.
On the way: the Polder Centre at Roz-Sur-Couesnon
Coming soon: 17 km of signposted green cycleways between Chapelle Sainte-Anne and Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes

The stretch from Saint-Broladre to Mont-Saint-Michel

Family cycle trips on Jersey:

The south coast of Jersey: 12 km

> Saint-Helier - La Corbière

One of the most popular cycle paths on the island of Jersey, along a disused railway line that was once used by steam trains. A great idea for a long weekend on Jersey.

The stretch from Saint Helier to La Corbière