In Montpouillan, the Garonne Canal is linked to Marmande by the So Vélo.
The So Vélo is a beautiful greenway recently created on the former Marmande–Mont-de-Marsan railway line. Stretching 27 km, it links Marmande to Casteljaloux (Lake Clarens, Center Parcs). In the Val de Garonne, the bridges have been repainted in bright colours and the views are superb.
< Marmande station
>
From the hamlet of Cachaou to that of Pascau, the Adour Maritime Greenway offers beautiful views of the river, and in winter you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the majestic flight of the cranes.
Bayonne, known as the “City of Chocolate” in the 19th century and designated a “City of Art and History”, is renowned for its summer festivals, its historic centre where it is a pleasure to linger along the River Nive, admiring the half-timbered houses and strolling through the narrow streets lined with bars and bogedas.
At the mouth of the Adour, in Anglet, the Pignada Forest offers picnic areas in the shade of tall pine trees.
From Bayonne, EuroVelo 3 and the Vélodyssée follow the same route as far as Irun.
none
medium
< Urt
Bayonne >
Itinerary recommended by CTE. Do not follow Eurovelo3
Biarritz, a former whaling town that became an upmarket seaside resort in the late 19th century, is renowned for its surf spots.
You head to the village of Bidart with its neo-Basque-style houses and a beautiful view of the ocean from the Sainte-Marie chapel, then on to Guéthary with its quaint little harbour.
good
medium
< Anglet
Biarritz >
Itinerary recommended by CTE. Do not follow Eurovelo3
Itinerary Tab :
From Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq, the route winds along the banks of the Adour, lined with flood-prone wet meadows known as ‘barthes’ and designated as a Natura 2000 site. These are home to remarkable species such as the otter and the European pond turtle, a small freshwater turtle.
Urt, a former fishing village with a distinctly Basque atmosphere, featuring a pelota court and a white church, was Roland Barthes’ adopted home.
good
medium
< Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq
Urt >
Itinerary recommended by CTE. Partially follows Eurovelo3
The well-maintained route continues through the wet meadows of the Adour and then follows the meandering course of the Bidouze. It passes through the quaint little ports of Guiche, Bidache and Came, which bear witness to the river trade of days gone by.
Two kilometers from the greenway, take a refreshing break at Lac des Arroques.
The association offers a route with gentle terrain along the Adour River, leading to the coast and then on to Spain.
good
easy
< Urt
Came >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
A challenging stretch, particularly between Came and Escos, where the climbs are short and steep.
From Escos, you can head towards Salies-de-Béarn via the V81 greenway, which crosses the Gave d’Oloron via the bridge of the old railway line.
It’s well worth spending some time in Saint-Palais : have a drink in the Place du Foirail or enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Bidouze.
good
difficult
< Came
Saint-Palais >
Itinerary Tab :
Between Saint-Palais and Uhart Mixe stands the Gibraltar stele. A symbolic site, it lies at the crossroads of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela from Tours, Vézelay and Le Puy.
From Uhart-Mixe, the route becomes very challenging on a touring bike. It follows part of the pilgrims’ route, with some very steep gradients. It’s a good idea to stop for a break to take in the view of the lush green valleys, admire the traditional houses or sample the famous Ossau-Iraty cheese.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, with its medieval streets, pink city walls and citadel, is a stopover town steeped in history.
good
difficult
< Saint-Palais
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port >
Itinerary Tab :
In the centre of Dax, follow the Adour river along the edge of Théodore Denis Park, then cross over to the right bank towards Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, which you reach via Avenue St-Vincent-de-Paul. In the centre of the town, take the D524 (Avenue de la Résistance then Avenue des Lacs) and follow it until you reach the outskirts of the town. Just after the town’s ring road, take Allée d’Ardy, which leads to the village of Mées via the D170. Avoid most of this departmental road to reach Angoumé before returning to the banks of the Adour at the valley of the Esté stream.
Follow the right bank of the river downstream towards Saubusse. The route continues smoothly along the Adour towards Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq.
< Dax
Tercis-les-Bains >
Alternative route recommended by CTE
Itinerary Tab :
In Tercis-les-Bains, from the D6 roundabout, follow Rue du Lavoir and Rue de Palisse. Take the Route des Tucs on the left to join the D13 (heavy traffic). At the Adour bridge, follow the right bank of the river downstream towards Saubusse. The route continues along the Adour towards Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq.
Saint-Sever, a medieval stronghold, is situated on the “Cap de Gascogne”, overlooking the forested plains of the Landes. The small town is best known for its abbey church, one of the architectural gems listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dot the famous Way of St James.
It’s easy to get into the Chalosse region, thanks to a rustic, shaded cycle path that runs all the way to Montfort-en-Chalosse.
Do take the opportunity to stop for a tasty break and sample the local specialities: poultry from Saint-Sever, Chalosse beef, Coteau de Chalosse IGP wines, the famous tourtières, and Landais pastis – which, incidentally, isn’t an aniseed-flavoured spirit but a puff pastry cake!
none
easy
< Saint-Sever
Montfort-en-Chalosse >
Alternative itinerary, recommended by CTE
Itinerary Tab :
Shortly after crossing the railway line, turn left to join the greenway (there is a picnic area with a water tap on site). The greenway is unpaved but shaded and offers numerous views of the surrounding farmland. Please note a local peculiarity: the annual closure of the Montaut-Toulouzette section during the hunting season, from September to March. You should take the small local tracks via Toulouzette before reaching Montfort-en-Chalosse.
Following this loop between Mont-de-Marsan and Dax, which forms an unofficial alternative route to the Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3), you’ll pass through the Chalosse hills.
A charming bastide overlooking this rural landscape, Monfort-en-Chalosse lies at the heart of a maize-growing region where the crop has been cultivated since the 17th century, long before its modern expansion.
You continue your walk towards Dax, whose renowned spa attracts many visitors seeking treatment, following the greenway to Hinx and then along the banks of the Adour. You can take a detour via Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, home to the house of the famous chaplain to King Louis XIII.
none
medium
< Montfort-en-Chalosse
Dax >
Alternative itinerary, recommended by CTE
Itinerary Tab :
The Chalosse loop comes to an end and joins the main route at Dax, which is the official, direct route of EuroVelo 3 / La Scandibérique to and from Mont-de-Marsan.
