Riding the long river of Picardy — the Somme Valley Cycle Route

The Somme is the longest river in the Picardy region. Located in the north-west of France, this region, which remains off the beaten track, has some real treasures waiting to be discovered.

This cycle route takes you through some beautiful natural landscapes, particularly on the last stretch when you enter the Baie de Somme Regional Nature Park. You’ll discover hedgerows, ponds, peat bogs and moors.

In terms of culture and history – even prehistory – this three-day adventure has plenty to show off, especially with the magnificent city of Amiens and its cathedral. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a jewel of Gothic art in northern France. Also in Amiens, the prehistoric collection in the basement of the Musée de Picardie is sensational. I recommend exploring it to understand the importance of this river in ancient times.

It’s also a region connected to First World War history. Péronne will teach you a lot about this tragic part of our past through its museum of the Great War. Many villages such as Bray-sur-Somme also have national necropolises, leaving indelible marks.

This Collection follows the official route of the Somme Cycle Route, with a few short detours to visit monuments. Recently revamped, the cycle route links Tergnier to Saint-Valéry in the Baie de Somme and its 200 kilometres (125 mi) are almost entirely tarmac.

As the elevation gain is modest, this route is ideal for those who are new to cycle touring or bikepacking. It’s also an interesting alternative for cyclists who have already completed the Véloroute de la Loire. You can complete it in three days, preferably in summer and spring, so it makes for a perfect long weekend.

For accommodation, everything has been excellently thought out: you will find gîtes, hotels and campsites to welcome you along the route, as well as renovated former lock houses.

Finally, being very well served by rail, its accessibility makes this mini-adventure even better. The TER trains accept bikes free of charge and without reservation.

If you want to keep adventuring after these three days, you’re in for a treat. The beginning and end of the route are connected to EuroVélos, long-distance cycle trails. These are EuroVelo 3 or Scandibérique at Tergnier, and EuroVelo 4 called the Vélomaritime at Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme.

For more information, see the following Collection: komoot.com/collection/1278878