Description
The route forms part of the "71" cycle network maintained by the departmental of the Saône et Loire. This course is very smooth (due to the almost zero drop and the good quality of the surface - watch out for one or two tree roots) and is accessible to beginners (no steep descents, good visibility). There are just a few small drops as you pass the four locks. It is secure as it is only accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and rollerbladers.
The route is visually pleasant running along a canal that goes through the Charollais bocage. It is fairly wide being an old canal towpath and follows the canal on the left side and the Bourbince river (on the right).
Be careful of passages under narrower bridges and with less visibility, do not hesitate to make noise to warn other users coming in front.
Some waypoints:
- Km 3.5: Paray le Monial (Tabarly quay / Liron mill park) Parking-toilets. Access to the historic center / basilica
- Km 4: Paray le monial (St Roch bridge) access to SNCF station, shops, pharmacy
- Km 5.3: Paray le Monial (bridge of the "squares") you can join the Paray Le Monial route to Roanne the start is about 300m (to reach it, climb on the bridge and cross the railway line).
- Km 8: Vitry en Charolais (locality "Colaillot / ex-Eternit factory). Parking at the halfway point
- Km 12: Vitry en Charolais (place called "paradise"). Car park
- Km 13.5: Digoin, small "drawbridge" over the canel. Warning !! tricky passage (paving stones and wooden sleepers over 10m)
- Km 16.2: Digoin (place de la République) parking, access to shops, pharmacy.
- Km 17: Digoin (canal bridge over the Loire / Observatory), parking and access to shops. After having crossed the canal bridge and walked to the the lock, you can continue on the path along the side canal to the Loire to Diou (03) from where you can take a junction for a new route leading to Bourbon-Lancy (71).
