Burgundy Biking
From the Morvan to The Cote D'Or
There is a special flavor to Burgundy. Yes, it's in the wine, but it transcends everything. It's in the gracious demeanor of the people. It's in the friendly rolling hills and small villages that sit quietly among the vineyards. You feel the rich flavors of Burgundy as you pedal toward the multi-colored Flemish tiled roofs in Beaune. When you combine all these unique flavors, you quickly understand that the wine is only where Burgundy's story begins.
- The Morvan, a beautiful, wild, lesser-known part of Burgundy
- Bike along the Route des Grands Crus to the famous towns of Aloxe-Corton and Chassagne-Montrachet
- Savor phenomenal cuisine paired with wonderful wines
- Private cellar tour and tasting at acclaimed Maison Alex Gambal
- Beaune, the vibrant capital of the Côte d'Or
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 The Morvan, a beautiful, wild, lesser-known part of Burgundy with lush forests and farmland, lovely lakes and quaint villages 
Spin through château-dotted countryside to the hilltop village of Vézelay and discover its cathedral, a World Heritage site.
Day 3 Savor phenomenal cuisine paired with wonderful wines at Michelin-starred Le Relais Bernard Loiseau Looking for the landscape photo? One stunning vista follows another as you ride across rolling pastures past ancient manors and abbeys.
Day 4 Private cellar tour and tasting at acclaimed Maison Alex Gambal, where artisanal wines are made by hand Plunge into the centuries-old winemaking tradition at celebrated Clos de Vougeot, a restored medieval château and vineyard Radiant chardonnay and pinot noir vines escort you and your bike from the Côte de Nuits into the Côte de Beaune.
Day 5 Bike along the Route des Grands Crus to the famous towns of Aloxe-Corton and Chassagne-Montrachet Caves perfect for sampling and buying wine are as plentiful as the vintages are delightful.
Day 6 Beaune, the vibrant capital of the Côte d'Or Check out the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, a tile-studded showcase of Flemish-Burgundian architecture and impressive history, on a private guided tour.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The trip was fantastic. Biking is the way to see Burgundy. I felt as if I entered the Middle Ages and stayed for 5 days, as you see so little evidence of the present on this trip, and instead are immersed in a world of chateaus, abbeys, churches and little medieval villages. The food, accomodations and countryside are outstanding, and are combined with some challenging cycling days.- Mercer Island, WA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Burgundy Biking
Premiere Inns
Château de Vault-de-Lugny
Avallon (2 nights) A moated 16th-century castle with a 13th-century dungeon, this hotel is brimming with charm, from its fine antiques and tapestries to the ducks and peacocks roaming its grounds. (pool, spa)
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau
Saulieu (1 night) Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it's known for the three-star Michelin cuisine and warm intimate atmosphere. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Hotel le Cep
Beaune (2 nights) Described by the Hideaway Report as "an opulent hotel created from several 14th- to 18th-century mansions in the heart of the charming wine capital of Beaune." A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.
Burgundy Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- 17, 22 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 40, 57 miles
- 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 18, 34, 43 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 32, 40 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 28, 37 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Conclusion of Trip