The Bercé forest, one of the finest oak forests in France, spreads over nearly 5,000 hectares between Le Mans and Château-du-Loir. Historically managed to supply naval timber and later oak staves for Bordeaux’s great wine barrels, it now offers pleasant, technically undemanding mountain biking terrain.
Smooth riding under the oaks
From Jupilles, a small village at the heart of the forest, the network of forest tracks allows for a route of around 25 km and 250 m of cumulative climbing — a profile without real technical difficulty, well suited to a first outing or a family ride. The main point of interest is the “futaie des Clos”, a stand of centuries-old oaks reachable with a short detour, some of them over three centuries old.
Getting the ride right
Trail markings are generally good, making it easy to piece together your own route. The sandy soil in places can get smoother riding after a dry spell or slightly heavier after rain, without ever turning genuinely technical.
When to go
March to November, the forest staying rideable most of the year thanks to its gentle relief and generally well-drained soil.
Good to know
Jupilles itself has little accommodation, but nearby Château-du-Loir and Le Grand-Lucé have enough choice for a stopover, with convenient access to the Loir valley to extend the trip.
