Young family cycling holiday destination?

[idiotgap]

Last year we went to the Ile de Re which was fantastic, the island is riddled with good quality cycle tracks and you can get even very young kids out and about. My sons are 7, 5 and 3 so we're only really comfortable off the road and we're looking for somewhere pretty flat preferably with a few things to see and do within a handful of miles.

Last year the eldest cycled himself mostly, but we had a trail-gator on my wife's bike for back-up. I towed the other two on a tandem trail-a-bike. This year I hope the eldest can ride solo, the 5 yr old can do the trail-gator thing when he needs it and I'll tow the youngest on a trail-a-bike.

Is there anywhere else like the Ile de Re?

[Bill]

Ile de Re is perfect isn't it.

We've found various places that have some decent cycle tracks, but now where on the same scale.

The Marais Poitevin near Niort is quite good, but the tracks are unmade and it's not as stunning.

[campionissimo]

Noirmoutier.

[smifffymoto]

Arcachon,Biscarosse or Lacanau.The west of Bordeaux is all inter connected by cycle paths so take your pick.

[idiotgap]

Thanks for all of these. We did wonder if there was anywhere closer to home?

[Barchettaman]

It's possibly a bit early, but Germany has loads of bike routes which are converted railway branch lines. The advantages are that they're reasonably flat and essentially motorized-traffic free.

Germany is very bike friendly, it's cheap and easy to jump on a regional train at the end of the day with the bikes to return if the kids are tired.

Plus it has Biergartens. Mmm.

http://www.radsüden.de/Radwege/Wanderbahn

http://www.vennbahn.eu/en/vennbahn-cycle-route/

http://www.vulkanradweg.de

https://www.hessen-tourismus.de/natur-und-landerle...

I've done the Vulkan and the Wanderbahn. Both were pretty easy. The Wanderbahn runs downhill from north to south so is a doddle in that direction!

The Niddaradweg sort of links up with the the Vulkanradweg, you have to cycle through a couple of villages but it's easy enough.

Edited by Barchettaman on Wednesday 19th April 14:04

[LLCool_K]

We have two boys, 8 and 10 and are booked to go away on this cycling holiday in August.

https://www.skedaddle.co.uk/cycling/holiday/Leisur...

Also booked a Sardinia mountains cycling holiday just me and the OH in June, though I must say of the two I am most looking forward to the barge trip. Though not exactly exotic, it is quirky, safe and easy, I just know the children (I include myself in that) will love it.

Check out Saddle Skedaddle, their service and attention to detail so far has been sensational.

[brrapp]

Channel islands? I think you'd find a good balance between quiet roads/lanes and interesting things to do for young children on Guernsey. 30mph limits on the roads and most of the island accessible by bike in a day or less.

[idiotgap]

Thanks for some great suggestions everyone, I'm checking them out.

David