Pedal, admire, enjoy, stop and go again… Here are three ideas for bike rides, accessible from Camping Le Ker Helen, to discover the Bay of Arcachon in a different way!
Cycling to the Dune du Pilat
Leaving Arcachon, the route alternates between cycle paths and lightly traveled roads to reach the Dune du Pilat. You’ll discoverArcachon‘s waterfront and port, the great Pereire beach and the chic Moulleau district. Take the opportunity to visit the Notre-Dame-des-Passes church, built in 1863 in the Greek Orthodox style. A few more kilometers and the Dune du Pilat is in sight! Leave your bike in the parking lot (bikes are free) and set off to climb Europe’s highest dune! The more athletic will climb the dune via the sand, while others will take the staircase installed from Easter to All Saints’ Day. At the top, all efforts are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Bay of Arcachon and the Atlantic Ocean, the Banc d’Arguin and the Cap Ferret peninsula. Return via the state-owned forest of La Teste-de-Buch, bordering the Golf d’Arcachon. Experienced cyclists will be delighted to embark on the great Arcachon Basin loop by bike: a 77-kilometer excursion to discover the Basin’s most emblematic sites!
– Departure: Arcachon, La Teste-de-Buch – Distance: 25 km Duration: approx. 2 hours
Discovering Le Teich
A cycling tour for nature and bird lovers! Just a stone’s throw from our Le Ker Helen campsite, the Le Teich circuit offers a delightful change of scenery, starting in the Landes forest. Along the way, curious visitors can discover the Fontaine Saint- Jean and its miraculous spring, hidden in the forest near the Pont de Lamothe. Then get off your bike and walk through the Réserve ornithologique du Teich. Wild moments to capture! Explore the Leyre Delta and its marshy landscapes along the coastal path that borders the reserve. More than 300 species of birds have found refuge in this protected area. Observation huts allow you to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing them.
– Start: Le Teich – Distance: 10 km – Duration: 2 hours approx.
In the wake of Gujan-Mestras
Hop on your bike for a family outing between forest, lake and salt meadows! Departing from Gujan-Mestras, the town of 7 ports, you continue on to the Parc de la Chêneraie and its forest. In the shade of tall trees and century-old cork oaks, the walk follows the Canal des Landes, dug in 1838 to link Lac de Cazaux and Lac de Parentis to the Bay of Arcachon. Continue towards Lac de Magdeleine, where children can play on the playground, take a donkey ride or pilot an electric boat. For refreshments, there’s a friendly little refreshment bar. Then finish your tour at the Gujan oyster port. Here, you can enjoy the terraces and, above all, taste the delicious oysters from the Bassin d’Arcachon. Got a little time on your hands? Take a detour to Plage de La Hume, in the heart of the tourist district of the same name. A pretty, easy-to-reach beach, very picturesque, far from the crowds ofArcachon.
– Start : Gujan-Mestras – Distance : 18 km – Duration : 2 h