Baccon walks

A discreet beauty that is often overlooked, the Mauves de Meung-sur-Loire branch is nonetheless a curiosity. The hike runs alongside and crosses the riparian forest, a corridor of vegetation consisting mainly of alders, ash trees and poplars. Consisting of three circular loops, the hike offers several possible variations.

There is no better way to discover the beauty and mysteries of the royal river between Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, two towns remarkable for their castles, than to follow the Loire à Vélo route on its right bank and the flood defence embankment on its left bank. The first part of the route is very busy, but further on you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Loire Valley and a peaceful atmosphere.

TheGR®®3offers beautiful views of the royal river and its islands. Running along the right bank of the Loire, it reveals some vestiges of the Loire's maritime past, the cellars where wine was stored and the wine press house, not to mention the magnificent church of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin overlooking the river.

A circular leading from the Basilica of Cléry-Saint-André, known for its architecture and history, to the enigmatic Butte des Élus, a burial mound dating back to the Iron Age. It is ideal for a family walk in the Val d'Ardoux.

Nature and culture go hand in hand on the banks of the Loire, between Fourneaux-Plage and Saint-Ay. The landscapes of the Loire, both at water level and higher up, are so beautiful, sometimes breathtaking, that it is easy to understand why the bishops of Orléans and famous men of letters came here on holiday.

The Loiret river conceals a few secrets hidden in the greenery. To see for yourself, simply follow the trail that runs along its left bank at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, upstream from where it meets the Loire.

It is mainly a forest route that recalls the major development work carried out in Sologne, which began in the second half of the 19th century when marl was extracted and then transported by horse-drawn carts to improve the acidic soil.

Located in the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers, the Pointe de Courpain is known for its cool climate and exceptionally diverse wildlife. You will never tire of admiring the mills on the Loiret river as they change with the seasons.

Well known to the people of Loiret, the charming, shaded walkway of the mills of the Loiret never fails to surprise those who discover it, a place shaped by milling activities that continued for centuries. It is an opportunity to enjoy the calm, cool waters of the river, explore the network of Olivet's narrow streets and appreciate the Donjon and Poutyl parks.

A lovely shaded walk where you can discover the mills lining the Loiret river and Lake Saint Pryvé. Several restaurants welcome you on the riverbank.

The path taken on the way out of the hike, which crosses the Bois du Bignon and then the Bois Brûlé, offers exceptional views due to the slight relief (30m difference in altitude) and undergrowth illuminated by heather, whose purple flowers bloom from late summer to autumn. The dense or sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of deciduous trees, streams and ponds, provides ideal habitats for birds and large wild animals.

The commune of Ligny-le-Ribault, which has preserved many communal paths, offers this magnificent hike in the Sologne region of ponds, home to deer, roe deer and wild boar.

Forests and ponds stretch out around La Ferté-Saint-Cyr, a typical village in the wooded and game-rich Sologne region, which has preserved its vast network of communal paths.

During this walk, you will see numerous ponds that are bird sanctuaries (herons, ducks, etc.), the Veillas stream and its fords, the typical brick castle of Les Rhuys, and perhaps large wild animals in this region of Sologne, which is rich in game.

Like many villages in the Sologne region, Crouy-sur-Cosson combines forest landscapes, ponds and architectural heritage. The first part of the walk takes place on wide paths on the edge or in the heart of the forest; the second part is more varied, dotted with ponds, the Cosson river, grassy paths and hamlets.

La Ferté-Saint-Cyr has preserved its many communal paths, all of which are marked and mostly protected from motorised vehicles. This circular route takes you along a variety of paths, skirting meadows, woods and ponds, before entering the heart of the forest, an ideal place for wildlife watching. The unique feature of this circular route is that it crosses the Cosson river twice, first via a narrow bridge and then via the Gué du Moulin Lauray ford; as you can imagine, you will need to take off your shoes.

The route is varied, sometimes overlooking the Loire or running along its banks, sometimes taking forest paths or paths through fields. A superb opportunity to get some fresh air and relax while reliving a page of history.

This is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable hikes in this wood. At the start, there is a beautiful view of Moléans Castle, followed by a lovely walk through the forest. Then there is a very pleasant crossing of the fords and a walk along the banks of the Loir. The return through the forest allows you to finish in peace and quiet.