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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

This hike in the heart of the Basses Vallées Angevines offers an immersion in the unspoilt landscapes of the Basses Vallées Angevines. The route, approximately 12 km long, invites you to discover the natural and heritage riches of the banks of the Loir (Engrenage-Moulin, Museum-castle, Fontaine de Craon, etc.). Between shady forest paths, poplar groves and trails along the river, the gently sloping walk is almost entirely on footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways.

This looped circuit, accessible to all, allows you to discover the landscapes and built heritage of the banks and hillsides of the Aubance in the commune of Mûrs-Érigné. The Aubance is a winding river hidden behind dense vegetation. At a place called "La Chaussée", a statue of the Virgin Mary can be seen before you walk along the wooded foothills of the hillsides near Les Gilardières. Discovering the hamlets of Gaigné, Petit Claye and Grand Claye allows you to appreciate the local heritage (beautiful buildings, chapel). Passing near the village of Mûrs, you can see the sensitive natural area of the Aubance loops, whose biodiversity is protected by the municipality of Mûrs-Érigné and the Layon Aubance Louet Association. This wetland is a reservoir of biodiversity whose various ecological functions are essential to the region.

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.

In the heart of the Anjou vineyards, this walk invites you to discover the living landscapes of the Domaine de la Gonorderie.Between vineyards, terroirs and expertise, the trail reveals the soul of a committed, family-run estate.Young and old alike will find something to enjoy, thanks to a fun treasure hunt for children.A moment to share, surrounded by nature, heritage and a passion for wine.

Discover two natural areas in the centre of Angers. The first is a larger lake with a leisure centre, and the second is a wilder pond. Both are beautiful places to encounter the flora and fauna of Angers. This walk is not possible during periods of high water.

Set off on a circular walk between the banks of the Loir, the forest and the countryside to discover the lower valleys of Anjou. Accessible to all, this route takes you through lush green countryside and discreet heritage sites, following the tracks of an old railway line.

Le Circuit des Évêques vous invite à découvrir le charme du bourg de Villevêque, ancienne résidence d'été des évêques d'Angers, nichée au cœur des Basses Vallées Angevines. Cette boucle facile et accessible à tous alterne entre patrimoine bâti, sentiers urbains et chemins de campagne.Au fil de la promenade, vous passerez devant l’église, le musée-château de Villevêque, la bibliothèque, mais aussi à travers des parcs, chemins piétons arborés et quartiers résidentiels calmes. Idéal pour une balade en famille, ce circuit offre un bel aperçu du cadre de vie naturel et historique de la commune. Tout au long du Circuit des Évêques, vous trouverez une signalétique historique permettant d'en apprendre plus sur l'histoire de la commune.

This loop offers a chance to discover the rivers that flow through the south of Angers, and the vineyards that have colonised the area. In three stages, starting in Angers, you first travel down the Maine as far as Bouchemaine, then follow the north bank of the Loire, with an incursion onto the island of Béhuard. The first stage ends at Montjean-sur-Loire, on the back roads around the island of Chalonnes. The next day, the route heads for Chalonnes-sur-Loire and the Corniche Angevine before descending to the Layon. Stop off at Beaulieu-sur-Layon. Finally, we follow the Layon again as far as Faye d'Anjou. After the Layon hillsides, you enter the Aubence hillsides, whose wines are no less renowned. After Brissac-Quincé and its astonishing château, you return to the Loire, passing through the villages along its banks until you reach Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing over to the north bank, we leave the vineyards for Angers, which we return to after three busy days.

The first stage of the cycle loop in the Anjou vineyards, this route joins the Loire, first following the Maine to its confluence, then running alongside the river, passing under the Savennières vineyards. A short stop in Béhuard is a must to discover this unique place, then return to the north bank to Port Giraud, where you cross one of the branches of the Loire to take the small roads of the Île de Chalonnes and reach Montjean-sur-Loire, the end of this first day.

This is the third stage of a cycle tour in southern Anjou. The route first follows the Layon between Beaulieu and Faye d'Anjou, then heads towards Brissac-Quincé through forests and vineyards. Leaving the imposing castle behind, you then join the string of villages that line the Loire, before descending to Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing the river marks the end of the vineyards and the entrance to the Angers conurbation, the end of the three-day journey.

Starting from Montjean-sur-Loire, the second stage first follows the river upstream, passing by the Île de Chalonnes. In this town, you cross to the south bank to climb the Corniche Angevine, which you follow for a few kilometres before descending into the Layon valley. Following the greenway that runs alongside the river, you will reach the Pont Barré, the site of a battle in the Vendée and the end of this stage.

Are you familiar with the hillsides of Aubance, less famous than those of Layon? After this hike, you will definitely want to taste the wines from the vineyards you will be passing through. The Aubance is a small river that flows into the Louet, itself a branch of the Loire. You are in a hilly, partly wooded landscape, often with unobstructed views. The Château de Noizé is exceptional in terms of its setting and aesthetics. The hike is a little long but very varied, with no significant elevation gain.

A beautiful loop, passing by two beautiful bodies of water, around Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges and Saint-André-de-la-Marche, forming the commune of Sèvremoine, alternating between main roads (very few), small roads, dirt tracks for tractors, and a few footpaths.