By bike Amiens > Long Somme Valley
Amiens > Long on the Somme Valley cycle route
- 33km
- 100%towpath
- 1shore change
Amiens > Ailly-sur-Somme
first step
There are several options for departure! We’ve selected a departure from the station, either directly to the towpath, or through the city center, stopping off in front of the majestic Amiens Cathedral.
Once on the towpath, you pass the saucer of the Esiee engineering school, then share the road with local residents. Finally, at the end of the Quai de la Somme, the towpath is reserved for pedestrians and bicycles, and you wind your way quietly along the river. Don’t hesitate to take a look back – the view of the cathedral is superb!
The route then continues towards Dreuil-les-Amiens, before quickly reaching the Ailly-sur-Somme lockstation.
Ailly-sur-Somme > Hangest
Second stage
The 12.5km towpath is yours for the taking! You’ll love the meandering Somme, and keep your eyes peeled for herons, coots and moorhens as you round a bend.
Don’t miss a stop in Samaraa park dedicated to discovering the skills and techniques of our prehistoric ancestors. There are workshops on site, where you can learn while having fun, or take a stroll through the gardens and wide open spaces.
Once in Picquigny, discover the lock keeper’s house, which houses a tourist information office. Here, you can find out more about the town’s heritage, and a detour to the château is unavoidable if you’re not afraid of the climb (the views are well worth the effort!). Electric boats, bicycles and scooters are also available for hire from the office. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy a break with drinks and local produce on offer inside.
Focus on Picquigny
This village is well worth a visit. As well as offering food and drink (supermarket, restaurants, shops), it’s also THE spot for rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding!
Directional signage and interpretation panels punctuate the route, giving you an insight into the history and landscape of the river!
Hangest > Long / Longpré
Third stage
The next 10km are just as rolling. We alternate between coated surfaces and stabilized sand. Note: a change of bank takes place at L’Etoile.
You can discover the Cavins marsh at Hangest-sur-Somme. Accessible from the left bank of the river, a 3km nature trail allows you to discover the riches of the Somme as a land of water. Complemented by a literary trail, it also highlights the legacy of Hector Malot’s “En famille”.
In Longpré-les-Corps-Saints, the train station offers a return trip to Amiens or Abbeville. Visit the Maison des Marais, where you’ll find a tourist office offering walking itineraries around the marshes and guided nature tours.
Long, well known for its cultural and natural heritage, is a stopover not to be missed on the cycle route. Discover the hydroelectric power station, the château and its grounds, thechurch of Saint Jean-Baptiste and the lock keeper’s house, which houses a tourist information office.
See the Amiens – Long itinerary in detail
Find out more about the other stages of the Vallée de Somme cycle route
Where to eat?
On the course
The restaurants
Au fil de l’Eau in Amiens
Le Pré Porus in Amiens
Ô Jardin in Amiens
L’hôtel-restaurant Le Canard in Hangest-sur-Somme
Au fil de l’Eau in Long
The bakeries
Maison Guillot, Canal Pain and La Bonne Baguette – La Pétrie in Amiens
Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Demarcy in Dreuil-les-Amiens
Boulangerie Pâtisserie Marcourt in Ailly-sur-Somme
La Picquignoise and Boulangerie Hébert Jean-Jacques in Picquigny
Picnic areas
– Le parc du Grand Marais in Amiens
– Dreuil-les-Amiens (after the bridge)
– Ailly-sur-Somme (maison éclusière)
– Samara (towpath access)
– Picquigny (lock or nautical base)
– Hangest-sur-Somme (both sides of bridge)
– Belvédère de Longpré (cycle route junction and access road to Longpré)
– Long (hydroelectric power station and lockhouse)
Where to sleep?
With his bike
In Amiens
Hotel La Chambre d’Amiens
Hotel Moxy
Hotel ibis Budget Amiens Centre Gare
Camping Le parc des Cygnes
HI Amiens Youth Hostel
In Ailly-sur-Somme:
Les Hauts d’Ailly
La Péniche Libellule
In Hangest-sur-Somme:
L’Hôtel-Restaurant Le Canard
What to see, what to do?
Points of interest
The hortillonnages (boat tour, museum and Art&Jardin festival), Notre-Dame d’Amiens cathedral, Maison Jules Verne, Musée de Picardie, Madeleine cemetery and Amiens zoo.
Water sports activities with an introduction to the waterski lift at Ailly-sur-Somme, rafting, kayaking and paddling at the Picquigny base or kayaking, paddling and pedal-boating at the Saint Sauveur base.
Samara prehistory park in La Chaussée-Tirancourt
Picquigny tourist centre and château
The Cavins marsh at Hangest-sur-Somme
The marsh house at Longpré-les-Corps-Saints
The château and its park, the hydroelectric power station, the church and the Long lock-keeper’s house
