Maine-et-Loire walks

This hike combines nature and heritage and offers a pleasant walk through the forest and countryside. It is best done before or after a visit to the abbey, which is a major Romanesque site.

A pleasant walk around the magnificent Château de la Turmelière, where Joachim du Bellay was born.

A very beautiful hike that crosses or runs alongside the Èvre river. This meandering river has sculpted the landscape of the Mauges region.It witnessed numerous massacres that took place during the Vendée wars between Cholet and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

A raised walkway showcasing the various attractions of the Saumur region: the Loire, troglodyte dwellings, vineyards alternating with wooded and marshy areas. Please note that the trail is impassable in the event of flooding of the Loire and/or heavy rainfall.

A lovely walk alternating between streams, vineyards, hillsides and historical discoveries. It's also a great way to learn interesting facts about the vineyard thanks to the information boards dotted along part of the route. The route is marked in yellow by the Communauté de Communes des Coteaux du Layon, which offers this circuit.

Megaliths, priory, chapel, church, sailors' houses; the history of Thoureil can be discovered through its buildings and landscapes, linked in their history by the Loire. Hilly route.

Montsoreau and Candes-Saint-Martin are two villages that form a single urban area. They transcend regional boundaries because the Loire and the hillside unite them. This route allows you to discover the white houses scattered along the river and the confluence with the Vienne. This is a walk to be done at sunrise to fully enjoy the light shining on the façades.

Discover a magnificent, rugged landscape with exceptional panoramic views and a wealth of flora and fauna all along the Layon. You are in the Coteaux du Pont-Barré Nature Reserve and among the vineyards of the Layon hillsides of Saint-Lambert du Lattay. Discover Pont-Barré, famous for the victory of the Vendéens against the Republicans on 18 and 19 September 1793.

From hillsides to valleys to the banks of the Loire. A beautiful walk punctuated by a rich landscape, natural and architectural heritage.

On the outskirts of Angers, discover the banks of the Loire, the vine-covered hillsides, the remains of the slate quarries and stroll through the hamlet of Martigneau with its traditional schist houses.

This route allows you to discover the remains of human activity scattered throughout the Anjou countryside (dolmens, menhirs, wash houses, mills, priories), as well as numerous troglodytic constructions of varying sizes.

Discover the surroundings of Les Ponts-de-Cé between the Authion and the Loire. Part of the route no longer seems accessible; see the reviews for alternatives

Enjoy wild, surprising and charming landscapes on a historical walk starting at the foot of the medieval fortress, overlooking the Loire and passing through a forest steeped in legend.

Starting from Tiffauges and its feudal castle ruins, we set off along the beautiful Sèvre stream to the south of Le Longeron. The return journey is initially along small roads and then along paths again.

A pleasant route that takes you along paths to discover the pretty countryside of Pouancé, its ponds, its castle and the charming village with its narrow streets and beautiful bourgeois houses. A superb family walk with lovely views.

Starting from Port Albert, set off to discover beautiful residences and castles of undeniable architectural interest.

This hike is not particularly difficult, except for some very wet sections (at the bottom of the fields) in winter. The route is easy to follow, mostly along the edge of the lake.

A lovely walk around the village of Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire with beautiful views of the river.

Hike through the Rémygeoise countryside, along magnificent paths, through vineyards and mixed farming land.

In the heart of the Saumur Champigny AOC, between vineyards, wines and troglodyte dwellings. Discover the village of Souzay, its heritage and the diversity of our Loire landscapes.

A beautiful walk through the vineyards around the Château de Brissac, which appears at numerous points along the route.

Hike through the Baumette floodplains, leading to the confluence of the Loire and Maine rivers. N.B. This hike is only possible during low water periods, from May to October-November. In any case, check in advance.

A beautiful walk through the vineyards where you can see two splendid dolmens and numerous troglodyte dwellings.

A hilly route along the hillside through the vineyards. Home to a magnificent 14th-century Romanesque church and the Manoir de Morains, where Marguerite d'Anjou is said to have died. Dampierre-sur-Loire is also renowned as a commune in the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Please note: section along the Loire River impassable in case of flooding.

This charming village is the starting point for a nature walk through unspoilt countryside with wooded hills and dotted with heritage sites.

A family walk along the banks of the Sèvre Stream, one of the most beautiful rivers in this region.

Hike through the Boulaie woods, along the ponds and in the grounds of the Château de la Houssaye. Starting from the church, explore the countryside of Saint Laurent-du-Mottay and discover the architecture of the Mauges region and the orchards for which Anjou is famous. A route with little elevation gain, perfect for enjoying with friends or family!

The name comes from the Latin word ulmus, meaning elm tree, and was given to the village because of the presence of this tree. The surrounding woods and estates were entrusted to the monks of Saint-Maur Abbey, and the village developed around a priory and its church. The priory, which was remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries, is still attached to the Church of Saint Vincent of Spain, which features beautiful remains from the 11th and 12th centuries.

A hike through varied landscapes: overlooking the Loire, vineyards, orchards, fields and forests, all between two villages steeped in history.

An easy hike starting from Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine, which begins on the banks of the Moine and goes to Monfaucon, returning north via as many paths as possible.

Verchers-sur-Layon has an unusual history, comprising 15 hamlets, some of which are actual villages. It was formed in 1818 by the merger of three parishes: Saint-Just, Saint-Pierre and La Lande. This union was marked by architectural richness, with a rather exceptional heritage (the church of Saint-Just, the châteaux of Échuilly and Bussy-Fontaine, etc.) and renowned wine-growing. A journey through the heart of the vineyards.

Explore the surroundings of Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets, a small town with a population of 1,500. A pleasant little country stroll.

This circular route crosses the Torfou countryside and runs alongside the Sèvre Nantaise stream. It offers diverse landscapes with rivers and ponds, then a path passing by the Pierre Tournisse and offering a view of the Château de Barbe Bleue, so nicknamed because of its most infamous resident, Gilles de Rais.

A beautiful walk in the Anjou region on the slopes of the Loire. This hike takes you through woods and vineyards and offers superb views of the Loire.

From the unmissable panorama of the Loire at Le Champalud to the ruins of the Citadel of Champtoceaux, via the Coulée de la Luce, a path steeped in legend, you will pass through unspoilt countryside.

Enjoy the Loire and the historical past of Montjean-sur-Loire by hiking past the various lime kilns that made this village the largest port on the Loire in the 18th and 19th centuries. You will also discover some of the thousand mills that once operated in the region. Enjoy a moment in the heart of nature as you walk through vineyards and along small paths. Hiking trail in the municipalities of Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye.

A hilly route combining the Loire, vineyards, forest and troglodyte dwellings. Please note: part of the route along the Loire is impassable in the event of flooding. Take care during the hunting season.

This beautiful Loire city certainly deserves a more in-depth visit, here it is offered a short discovery loop, a good option for a stopover on a journey between Anjou and Touraine regions.

Marked trail starting from Rue du Gaudu, which runs along the Moine river via the Pierre de l'Écuelle. This legendary rock is said to bear the engraved image of the devil's plate and knife...

The paths of La Poitevinière welcome you around its streams.

Stroll along the meandering Hyrôme river in a picturesque, steep-sided valley and discover the remains of the many mills that line this trail. An ideal hike for combining heritage and nature!

Hiking route in the forest with slight elevation gain.

This route will allow you to discover the natural riches of La Chaussaire, with a short stop on the way back at the Grotto of Lourdes de la Chaussaire, next to the parish church of Saint-Joseph-en-Mauges.

Tour through vineyards and picturesque villages along the Loire River. Between breathtaking panoramas, heritage and the scent of vines, all your senses will be awakened!

On small rural roads and numerous farm tracks, you will discover landscapes alternating between panoramic views and wooded valleys. This two-sided route allows you to start by travelling along small roads offering wide panoramic views of the Maugeoise countryside.The hike then takes you to the Èvre river. You can admire the winding course of the water through the fields and rocky hillsides.

During this hike, walkers will have the opportunity to discover a rich heritage, bearing witness to local history and traditions. Along the way, several crosses and calvaries will reveal themselves, offering beautiful contemplative stops and a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural dimension of the region. The path also leads past the Maison du Potier, a true place of memory and transmission. This stage allows you to appreciate the ancestral art of working with clay and immerse yourself in the creative world of the potters who have made Le Fuilet famous. For a well-deserved break in nature, the route leads to the Barbotine Pond. This green setting is the ideal place to share a family picnic or simply relax by the water.

This loop will take you past countless (private) ponds, mostly through woodland. As its name suggests, the path can be muddy, especially in wet weather.This hike is best done in summer, when the paths are shaded and less muddy.There are many variations that allow you to shorten the loop.

A large part of the route is in the woods, well shaded and very pleasant in strong sunlight, with one section to be done on foot (stairs and very steep slope).

In Montjean-sur-Loire, the path that winds through the Châteaupanne Sensitive Natural Area takes you back in time. The path goes deep into the woods, runs along the banks of the Loire or follows old stone walls. Further on, you climb a coral reef, now a limestone quarry, where the sea was 400 million years ago. Further on, a strange fortress takes you back to the era of the lime burners.

A superb circular hike allowing you to discover Montsoreau, Fontrevaud and Candes-Saint-Martin in their natural setting and localities located in remarkable sites. The circular hike is done anti-clockwise on the hillside to enjoy a pleasant route through the woods and panoramic views of the right bank of the Loire.