Around Bou

A family walk between the Loire and the Canal de la Loire. Alternating between woodland, fields and canal banks.
The canal banks and locks welcome us with open arms. We can see barges moored on the banks of the Loire, the bird island with the different species of our region and, if we are there at the right time of year, we will be lucky enough to see them nesting. Sandy beaches welcome us for a short break. And finally, we can enjoy the tranquillity of the canal banks.

Details

4437
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 21.91 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 17 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 16 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 114 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 95 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Combleux (45800)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.900646° / E 1.983878°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2219ET, 2220E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park by the canal in Combleux.

(S/E) Turn right and follow the canal to the lock. Once through the lock, follow the Loire to the canal's discharge stream.

(1) If the water level is low, you can cross it; otherwise, walk up to the bridge, cross it and turn right.

(2) Take the first path you come to and follow the Loire all the way.

(3) From Chécy, follow theGR®3(red and white markings). You will recognise the Île aux Oiseaux by the noise.

(4) Shortly after passing some abandoned vehicles on a property, head towards Mardié at the signpost and follow theGR®3variant.

(5) After the church at the crossroads, turn right and then take the first left towards the cemetery. Follow the signs to the stadium.

(6) At the start of the stadium, go through the hedge, follow the path downhill to reach the stream and turn left. Continue to follow theGR®3to reach the edge of the canal.

(7) Turn left to walk along the canal on your right and reach the car park (S/E), our starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 97 m - Car park at the edge of the - Canal d'Orléans
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 97 m - Discharge stream from the Canal d'Orléans
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 97 m - Walk along the - La Loire
  4. 3 : km 4.11 - alt. 99 m - GR
  5. 4 : km 11.55 - alt. 104 m - Heading towards Mardié
  6. 5 : km 14.46 - alt. 109 m - On the right
  7. 6 : km 15.29 - alt. 107 m - On the left
  8. 7 : km 16.45 - alt. 102 m - On the left
  9. S/E : km 21.91 - alt. 98 m - Car park by the canal

Notes

As I mentioned in the introduction, this is a family hike, so bring a good pair of shoes, a rain cape and water to stay hydrated.

Worth a visit

Visit the locks, or there is the marina restaurant, which I have heard good things about.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
LucBell
LucBell

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good overall, but we shortened it to make a circular route from Briare to Chatillon-sur-Loire, travelling along both sides of the Loire. A small section was unclear on the return journey when arriving at the old canal.

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Lesly
Lesly
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk along the banks of the Loire. One part is urban and the other a little wilder between Chécy and Mardié. We particularly enjoyed spotting birds and listening to their songs along much of the route, especially near the bird island.

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Delfi91
Delfi91

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice hike between the Orleans Canal and the Loire River, with rich and varied landscapes! Be sure to wear good shoes to avoid blisters 😉
Thank you for this well-marked hike, even when walking in the opposite direction! Because we did it backwards 😊

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DEN45
DEN45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Living in Briare in the Loiret region, where there are superb hiking trails (which I never tire of and highly recommend) along the Briare Canal and the Loire River, I discovered another very pleasant view of this beautiful river. The villages of Combleux and Mardié, the canals, and the wildlife of the Loire are well worth exploring.

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cateri45
cateri45
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I discovered Visorando with this hike. Highly recommended route! You follow the beautiful Loire River through the seasons, spot a few birds, cross Mardié in the countryside (watch out for crocodiles ;-) and return along the peaceful canal... This hike is easy to do in all seasons as it is regularly shaded. You can shorten it by starting from Chécy if, like me, you are from Orléans and are therefore already familiar with Combleux. Thank you!

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ROGER45FARA
ROGER45FARA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike with a very reliable map. The Loire is as beautiful and wild as ever.
Thank you for this hike.

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kiki77
kiki77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike

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kiki77
kiki77

On this beautiful July day, we went hiking.
One word: SUPERB
Christian

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