Vendée walks

Check out this beautiful trail completes a circuit around "Lac du Jaunay”. It is a quiet and wonderful place for nature lovers.

This is a pleasant route offering a beautiful walk through the forest, over the dunes and along the beach, with a climb back up to the ski hill, the highest point in the forest at 34 metres above sea level.

A short hike for lovers of unspoilt nature.

A 13 km circuit along the edge of Lake Graon allows you to enjoy the local flora and fauna. A very varied circuit with narrow paths and woodland trails... A real treat. The circuit can be extended by small loops of around 2 km (La Renardière and Les Petites Touches).

A short walk in the Forest of Mervent and along the River Mère.

There are many pedestrian paths to discover in Mervent forest.

A beautiful walk around a large part of the Polder de Sébastopol nature reserve. This route also takes you past the Étang Vide and the exit of the Gois passage on the Île de Noirmoutier side.

In a steep-sided valley. A hike along the Lay River at a place called "Le Grand Bateau". The Lay River flows through part of the Poitevin Marshes and empties into the Atlantic Ocean between La Faute-sur-Mer and L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer.

The banks of the Sèvre Nantaise between the Bois de la Barbinière and the Moulin Guy

The sound of waves crashing on the beaches, the smell of salt air and invigorating sea breezes: this is what you can expect on this hike, which follows the coastline as closely as possible.

A hike full of mystery... in the land of the fairy Melusine.

The Olonne forest stretches across the dune massif that borders the ocean between Brem-sur-Mer and Les Sables d'Olonne. This massif completely isolates the marshes located between the forest and the first hills where the vineyards of the Vendée fiefdoms flourish. This circuit offers a walk between the ocean and the banks of the Vertonne through the flat, open landscapes of the marshes, the more rugged forest and the immensity of the sea.

A tour around the artificial lake of Moulin Papon, on foot or by bike.

Hike along the dunes, forest and marshes. A biotope waiting to be discovered.

This is a beautiful 3-hour walk along the banks of the Vouraie reservoir. The path is very easy to follow.

Relaxation and a change of scenery guaranteed! Come and enjoy the peace and quiet, the authentic landscape and the rich flora and fauna. The Marais Poitevin, also known as the "Green Venice" for its tourist attractions, is a vast area of water and greenery where nature lovers will find peace and tranquillity along 400 km of canals.

Set off to explore the Marais des Olonnes.

Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.

This route winds between the forest and the Olonnes marshes, where many species of birds come to find food and peace.

A beautiful circuit between the sea and the marshes at the northern tip of the Île de Noirmoutier, near L'Herbaudière.

Hike through the countryside of the commune of Le Bernard to discover six dolmens, including the largest in the Vendée (the Frébouchère dolmen), four menhirs and a Gallo-Roman tower. Information panels are provided at each site. A significant part of the circuit is on tarmac. Can also be done by mountain bike.

A superb hike through the largest forest in the Vendée. The terrain is varied but not particularly difficult, making it a hiker's paradise. Beautiful paths, a dam lake, a climbing site, a leisure park, a hidden cave, remarkable bridges and trees, and a forest that has been explored for many years: this is what I invite you to discover.

A beautiful coastal hike that goes all the way around the island.

This beach walk should be done at low tide and includes a section through the marshes. Remember to check the tide times (see practical information). Moderator's note: The route was modified on 16/06/2023 to bypass the Bois de la Blanche between 2 and 5, which is private property.

Just a few minutes from the ocean, take a stroll along the country lanes among sunflowers, wheat fields and vineyards. ⚠️ 25/06/2025: it seems that it is impossible to access the field between 3 and 4 along the path. Thank you for your feedback on this in the reviews.

Two unique and very different valleys: Piquet with its granite chaos and the darker and more peaceful Pierre aux Fées.

Take a walk on the hill of the mills to discover the remains of the windmills and beautiful views of the low bocage to the north as far as Pouzauges and Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure and the plain to the south as far as the Forest of Mervent.

Enjoyable walk around the Finfarine dam lake in Poiroux (85) with numerous shaded paths. Two circuits are available: - a short 7 km circuit, - a long 9 km circuit.

A hike along the Atlantic coast, from Les Sables d'Olonne to Château d'Olonne. In all seasons, preferably during days of high tides, to admire the surf at Puits d'Enfer.

Merger of two very well-marked routes, marked in two colours: yellow-orange and yellow-blue. The route is mostly shaded and very pleasant in the Poitevin marshes!

This path between the "wet" and "dry" marshes, passing by a characteristic feature of the marsh (the Aqueduct), will take you from the Romanesque church to the majestic Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Maillezais.

Hike on the sand along the beach, then through the marshes.

Located between Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the Vendée coastline offers hikers and walkers three kilometres of wild rocky coastline. A beautiful hike or walk to enjoy. The small paths, away from cars and bicycles, make this walk a wonderful experience and a treat for young and old alike.

From La Roche-sur-Yon to Venansault, along shaded paths through meadows, woods and streams. From town to countryside in just a few steps...

This route offers magnificent views of Tiffauges Castle, especially at the end, or what remains of it, the famous Bluebeard's Castle. It runs largely along the Sèvre Nantaise stream. Note that this route can be shortened halfway by taking the Pont de la Grossière bridge. This halves the time and distance for little legs. On the other hand, the second part is wilder and more bucolic.

This hike is accessible to all hikers, with a few minor difficulties and one section off the trail, but no major hazards.It starts in the village of Mervent, which overlooks the River La Mêre. A superb viewpoint at the top of the castle ruins offers a view of the meandering river and the surrounding forest.

A walk in the wild marshes of Le Mazeau, criss-crossed by a multitude of canals and ditches. Here, summer and winter alike, the light is always beautiful through the poplar plantations!

Rochard is a tourist village located in the commune of Mortagne-sur-Sèvre. The village has picnic areas and is crossed by the Sèvre river.

This hike begins with a series of small roads with no traffic and paths to Mortagne-Sur-Sèvre, then returns along the Sèvre river as much as possible, i.e. almost all the time, except at the end to return to the starting point.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the seaside, the peaceful Lac du Gué Gorand is perfect for a lovely stroll along the water's edge. The dam, which was filled in 1990, is used to irrigate 400 hectares of farmland and the Fontenelles golf course.

Between fields and small woods, between shellfish beds, canals and the Sèvre Niortaise, this loop starting from the port of Damvix is accessible to all.Along the route, there are some lovely spots for picnics and even small restaurants by the water in Bazoin and Damvix where you can stop for a bite to eat. This walk can be continued by boat on the Sèvre Niortaise (boats can be hired at the port of Damvix). You will come across fishermen, swans, cows and ducks and hear tree frogs croaking.

A very pleasant hike between Brem-sur-Mer and Île d'Olonne, which first follows the trails of the Forêt d'Olonne, then the Marais d'Olonne and finally the bocage of the hinterland. ⚠️ 13.08.2025: hike modified between 7 and 8, no access for bikes at 7 to reach the marshes.

Vous aimez les découvertes originales et insolites ? Profitez de votre séjour aux Sables-d'Olonne pour vous balader dans le Quartier de l'île de Penotte, un lieu atypique et haut en couleur qui ne laisse personne indifférent ! Rejoignez le quartier de la Chaume qui est le cœur historique des Sables-d’Olonne en utilisant "La passeur".

This is a pleasant hike that will take you through the Bois des Girondins and the outskirts of Moulin Papon. There are two more challenging sections: after crossing the bridge at Bertheliére and crossing the ford at Ruisseau des Coux. See Practical Information.

This is an easy, short walk that allows you to discover the wild side of the Green Venice. In the heart of nature, you will always be close to the water, in the shade of pollarded ash trees and poplars. And you may even be lucky enough to spot some nutria or deer.

A short but surprising route that takes you to the small valley of La Tinouze, a green corridor teeming with biodiversity. There are numerous educational panels dotted around La Tinouze, so keep your eyes peeled.

A route to discover the large Rivoli Urban Park (5), in the shade of the trees, in a preserved biodiversity, and the Moulin Papon Lake dam (10). This lake is used to supply drinking water to the town of La Roche-sur-Yon. The water treatment plant can be seen from the dam. Seagulls and cormorants can be seen on the lake, and from the shore it is not uncommon to spot kingfishers, swallows and swifts in flight. In summer, leisure facilities are available for young and old alike.

Tour of the northern part of Lake Moulin Papon, which is wilder and more rugged than the southern part. It is not uncommon to see kingfishers, a few mallards, coots and, more rarely, geese. A detour via the hamlet of La Berthelière allows you to admire the renovated old houses, which are truly wonderful. The tour starts in the commune of La Ferrière and continues through the commune of Dompierre sur Yon

Explore Saint-André-Goule-d'Oie along its roads and paths to discover the small villages and surrounding countryside. The Festival Committee wishes you a pleasant walk

A walk through a charming little valley. The start has a medieval feel, as you walk along the old ramparts and the fortified church of Saint-Nicolas. Once you reach the valley, nature quickly takes over, with numerous dragonflies accompanying you on your journey, including damselflies with metallic blue wings, scarlet dragonflies and other cordulégastres.