Nature bike ride north of Bordeaux

When visiting Bordeaux, a stroll through the magnificent city center is inevitable. But we often forget to explore the hidden gems in the surrounding areas. What a shame, there are so many beautiful walks to be had… To discover the richness of these places off the beaten track, the Bordeaux Gironde Guide invites you to hop on a bike and explore the north of this beautiful city. Parks, pine forests, lakes, and other peaceful spots await you.

Great bike rides in Bordeaux

As in Amsterdam, cycling reigns supreme in Bordeaux. There's no shortage of bike paths, both in the city and in the surrounding areas. Without going too far, you can escape the everyday and enjoy a ride in a bucolic setting just a few kilometers from the city center.
To that end, let's discover together the great bike rides in the Bordeaux metropolitan area.

For today's bike ride, we were inspired by the great ride called Tour and detours in Bordeaux Lac.

Heading north of Bordeaux by bike

This 20-kilometer round trip takes us past numerous points of interest: the beautiful quays, the Bordeaux woods, the velodrome… This route guides us through a wide variety of places, but always along greenways. It's truly an ideal outing for athletes or families.

After leaving the city center, we drove towards Bordeaux Lac. This place is peaceful: you can stroll through the pine forest along the water's edge. In the summer, you can swim at the lake's beach, under the watchful eye of the lifeguards on their high chairs! With 160 hectares in area, walkers will enjoy strolling around the lake to admire superb views and discreetly observe the wildlife. Rabbits and ducks clearly love this place too… On Sundays, Bordeaux locals gather with friends or family to share a picnic or a good game of pétanque. A change of scenery is guaranteed!

Nature at your fingertips at the Barails ecological reserve

We continue our walk a little further north, following a cycle path in excellent condition towards the Barails ecological reserve. This 156-hectare green paradise encompasses the Bois de Bordeaux and the superb Parc Floral. What a marvel! Enter the woods and completely forget that you are 10km from the center of Bordeaux. The forest is vast and magnificent, and the paths invite you to stroll, cycle, or scooter...

Heading towards the Parc Floral, the landscape changes, revealing stunning meadows, lakes, and numerous points of interest! First, there's the rose garden with its beautiful, colorful blooms, a Japanese garden, and even a Pyrenean stream. Thanks to an ingenious system and a small hill, you could easily imagine yourself in the mountains. In fact, the stones were imported from the Pyrenees. Many people come here on Sundays to recharge, but the park is so vast that you feel truly alone in nature. No wonder, considering this green space is the largest in Bordeaux!

Back in town

A quick glance at the map and we're off again. This walk is also interesting for discovering another side of Bordeaux's architecture, more modern and original: the Stade Atlantique, the Ginko district, and the Villabois housing development inspired by oyster huts. The end of the walk takes us to another of my favorite places in Bordeaux: the quays. So peaceful in the morning and so lively as soon as the sun comes out.

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