Aube walks

Hike from the heights of Montgueux on the ridges overlooking Mesnil Vallon, crossing Macey and its national forest, then returning along the vineyards overlooking La Grange au Rez with a bird's eye view of Troyes.

The Colossus with Feet of Clay is a short hiking trail of about 7 km. It invites hikers to discover the remarkable character of this forest area of the Orient Forest, and also addresses more serious issues such as climate change and the impact of humans on the natural environment. The originality of the Colosse aux pieds d'argile trail lies in its seven stations, each featuring impressive works of art. For example, gates symbolise the entrance to a peaceful space and, with their imposing presence, invite visitors to be discreet. A little further on, ceramic sculptures evoke the cultural heritage of the site and spark the imagination with traces of human history.

Alternating between the stone embankment, white paths bordering the countryside and forest trails, this route goes all the way around Lake Amance, revealing its sometimes hidden treasures.

From the heights of Laines-aux-Bois, descend to the plain, visit the Fontaine site, the remains of the Gallo-Roman oppidum and the traces of the castle at the Montaigu nature site, then return via the Sentier des Moutons trail, ending with a walk through the charming hamlet of Les Grandes Vallées. This route avoids the steepest paths.

This easy, mainly forest-based route takes you through the century-old trees of the Grand Orient Forest, crossing forest streams, with just a short detour to the village of La Loge-aux-Chèvres.

Between lake and forest, countryside and orchards, this route includes the Sentier du Lapin Blanc (White Rabbit Trail). Revealing a preserved village and its barns, crossing a wood, open countryside and green meadows, running along the beach and the dyke, this route sums up all the attractions of the Forêt d'Orient Regional Nature Park.

Almost exclusively in the forest, this route offers a wide variety of deciduous trees, forest environments, and path widths. These damp woods are home to the yellow-bellied toad, a protected and increasingly rare species.

Walk in the Forest of Othe on the border of the Yonne department. The village of Bérulle itself is already very pretty. But the forest paths are charming and peaceful, very pleasant!

A short walk overlooking the villages of Bercenay and Vauchassis.

Partly following the Templar interpretation trail, the Salamander Trail and theGR® de Pays, this forest route offers original views such as that from the Fontaine aux Oiseaux dyke.

The Sentier du Loup trail circles Sommeval. This pretty little village stretches out in a valley which, like an amphitheatre, is surrounded on three sides by wooded hills. The trail allows visitors to discover one of the last dry grasslands in the Pays d'Othe. The trail is well maintained and clearly marked, but it is not recommended during the hunting season, from November to February.

Half of this forest route follows the Vélovoie cycle path, revealing a wide variety of lakeside landscapes: the submerged forest of Lac d'Orient, the unobstructed view from the Lac du Temple dyke. This is in stark contrast to the dirt tracks of thesecond part of the route, which takes you through forests and countryside.

Connecting Géraudot Beach on Lac d'Orient and the golf course located in the forest area, this route passes through different environments: meadows bordered by hedges, open farmland, dense deciduous forests, and the charming village of Géraudot.

This variation of the Loup trail goes around Sommeval, a pretty little village nestled in a valley which, like an amphitheatre, is surrounded on three sides by wooded hills. The trail allows you to discover one of the last dry grasslands in the Pays d'Othe and to cross the forests of Javernant and Sommeval. The trail is well maintained and clearly marked, but it is not recommended during the hunting season, from November to February.

Cross the Souligny Communal Forest, descend into the Val de Gloire along the Sentier des Moutons, then visit the Montaigu nature site, the remains of the Gallo-Roman oppidum and the ruins of the castle, with a panoramic view of the Champagne plain on the way back. The route follows sections of several well-signposted Sentiers des Moutons trails (8 km, 12 km, 14 km).

This flat walk, suitable for all ages, starts and ends at the foot of the village’s 16th-century church. A 15 km walk suitable for everyone; pushchairs with large wheels are welcome. Mostly shaded, it will nevertheless give you a glimpse of the village’s streetscape. The first half of this walk follows theGR®2

This trail follows one of the sheep tracks that allowed herds to move from the surrounding villages to the Essarts plateau when it was used as grazing land in the 19th century. Since then, it has become a beautiful forest.

A wine-growing region producing champagne, the Côte des Bars has a hilly landscape. This route crosses countryside, vineyards and forests on either side of the Aube valley, linking the villages of Bossancourt, Dolancourt, Jaucourt and Arsonval.

To go birdwatching in the National Nature Reserve at Lac du Temple, an observatory has been set up by the Park. Access is on foot or by bike via a straight, well-maintained forest track (white path).

A lovely walk through the Champagne vineyards.

A short walk offering a beautiful view of the Crésantignes region and the forests of Jeugny and Aumont.

Winding its way through the open countryside of the chalky Champagne region, this route passes by the Croît viewpoint. Linking the three villages of the Val d’Auzon commune (Auzon-les-Marais, Villehardouin and Montandon) and that of Brantigny, it offers views of four churches, two wash houses, a castle and the pretty River Auzon.

Two villages notable for their heritage are linked by this route, which crosses the River Barse, winding through pastures and orchards – a landscape typical of the humid Champagne region. The path passes by the former abbey of Montiéramey and two manor houses in Montreuil-sur-Barse.

A pleasant walk along the “Discovering the Three Saints” route: Vallant-Saint-Georges, Droupt-Sainte-Marie and Droupt-Saint-Balse. The route allows you to discover the rich cultural, wildlife and plant heritage of this area. A very flat route along the Haute Seine Canal, the River Seine and the ponds, including the Brun.

From the Chemin de la Grande Voie in the hamlet of Lépine (Saint-Germain), head towards Les Hauts des Forges and Mont Martin, then return along the Laines valley via theGR® de Pays ‘Plaines et Collines’ trail around Troyes.

In the Forêt d’Orient Regional Nature Park, this is the route with the richest heritage, taking in the castle, the church and the market hall in Brienne-le-Château, and the Ecomuseum in Brienne-la-Vieille. Nature also has plenty of surprises in store, with a spectacular arboretum, an orchid lawn, the banks of the Aube and the castle’s forest path.

Crossing the Champagne plain, a former battlefield of Napoleon’s armies, this route follows an ancient Roman road, an old railway line, as well as the banks of the Aube and a path overlooking Lake Amance.

Discover the cadoles of Courteron, as well as the magnificent vineyard landscape from the ridge path.

Walk in the forest east of Vauchassis and return via the Crête de la Belle Fayte

A walk through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Champagne, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vineyards, woodland paths and cadoles. Provisional route pending the opening of the official Cadoles de la Côte des Bar trail.

On the banks of the Aube, the meadows of the Pelouse des Brebis are home to remarkable flora. The information boards along the interpretive trail provide details on the fauna, flora and uses of this preserved natural area, which is classified as a Natura 2000 site.

Starting from a family-friendly beach, this route showcases the best features of the lakes of the Forêt d’Orient: it offers a pleasant mix of walking through a diverse state-owned forest and along the shores of Lac d’Orient, with stunning views of the submerged forest at ‘high tide’.

Discover some of the many Champenois cadoles, as well as the vineyards and forests of Les Riceys.

You’ll discover the wonders of the built heritage in the Chaourçois region, such as the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Chaource, home to countless treasures including the magnificent Entombment dating from 1515.

A unmarked route that will take you on a tour of the churches of Rouilly and Sacey. A magnificent 360-degree panorama of the hills of Champagne, the forests of the Lacs d’Orient and the windmill at Dosches. Shaded paths beneath the canopy of trees.

A walk through the Forêt d'Othe to discover iron mining in the Middle Ages. A route marked with information panels.

On the shores of Lake d’Orient, the traditional village of Mesnil-Saint-Père has retained its authentic Champagne charm. The interpretive trail winds its way between the houses and orchards, between the harbour and the church.

This route follows part of the L26 railway line, which has been disused since 1996, passing through the Fays-la-Chapelle tunnel. In 2018, an association called ASL26 was formed. Within three years, it had made the railway line between Jeugny and Auxon accessible to walkers. The walk also takes in meadows and woodland.

The Riceys vineyards cover the largest area of any in the whole of Champagne. They boast three appellations d’origine contrôlée. Located in the Côte des Bars, the vineyards are easily accessible to walkers, with access often made easier by roads maintained for vineyard operations.

In the heart of the Forêt d’Orient Nature Park, this discovery trail explores aquatic habitats home to numerous wild species, including the salamander. It was established by the ONF and the Park. This walk follows part of a route that explores the history of the Domaniale du Temple forest, the largest forest estate the Knights Templar ever owned in the West.

Discover the village of Cussangy, situated near Chaource. The ‘Petits Gués’ trail offers a walk centred around the theme of water.

At the foot of the windmill, the picturesque village of Dosches has preserved a fascinating heritage. The interpretive trail traces life in days gone by and its traditional trades, winding its way past half-timbered houses, the two churches and Rosson Castle.

This circular walk takes us into the vineyard area of Les Riceys and Balnot-sur-Laignes. Leaving the vineyards behind, the return journey follows the course of the Laignes river and takes the route of the old "tacot" railway line which, from 1901, linked Les Riceys-Polisot to Cunfin.

Starting from Spoy, this route takes you to the Fravaux wash house, the Pelouse de la Côte de l’Étang Nature Reserve and the Roman bridge.

The route is fairly simple and allows you to walk along the paths around Prusy. It is mainly paths, but there are also a few sections on the road (essential for getting to the church). When you arrive at Saint-Edme Church, you can enjoy a pleasant view of the fields.

A 19 km circular route starting from the Maison du Parc de la Forêt d'Orient, with a well-signposted route at the start (Colosse aux Pieds d'Argile), followed by a mix of wide and narrow paths that are very pleasant in fine weather.

A lovely walk in the hills above Bar-sur-Aube, starting from the Sainte-Germaine Farm, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to watch paragliders. Make the most of the beautiful views from this vantage point.

Bergères is a charming wine-growing commune in the Côte des Bar. This route offers picturesque landscapes of the Côte des Bar through valleys, hillsides, vineyards, fields, moors and forests. From April to June, magnificent orchids bloom on the calcareous soils of the Côte de l'Église and Côte Garnier. This route largely follows the Circuit de la Croix Bleue. It also follows the GR® de Pays des deux Bar and the GR® Gaston Bachelard.

This circular route allows you to reach Coussegrey via the paths from Prusy. This route is fairly simple with a few climbs and stony paths. It is an easy route, but wear good, comfortable shoes to enjoy these beautiful trails.

Between land and rivers, explore the 2 Vallées in the heart of the chalky Champagne region. This countryside walk will take you to Pouan-les-Vallées and Villette-sur-Aube, villages close to the town of Arcis-sur-Aube.You will appreciate the shades of ochre, brown and yellow of the cultivated land and the greens of the wooded and shady valleys.