Oudon-Ancenis circular route along the banks of the Loire

Park in the car park at the south station in Oudon.

(S/E) Below the road, climb the steps on the right and cross the bridge. You’ll find the first^GR®3signpost at the bottom of the steps.
At the end of the bridge, cross the junction to the right and head up the road (D751).

(1) You’ll pass close to the Voinard (stream).

(2) Head left up the ‘No Entry’ road (except for residents) towards the citadel.
Throughout the steep climb, read the information about Champtoceaux in the Middle Ages.

(3) Once you reach the castle, take the path down immediately to the right of the castle gate via the Chemin du Port Neuf. From there, follow the green markings.
Cross the D751 road with care, pass through the gap in the parapet, continue down to the Loire and follow the green markings to the right. There is a fine view of the Château Haute Roche on the other side of the Loire, which you will see much closer 5 hours later as you pass below it.
Return to the red and white markings of^{the GR®3}

(4) In the village of La Patache, follow the path in front of the houses and the henhouse. Caution: 200 m of difficult terrain over rocks, but protected by a handrail.
At the end of the path, turn left, cross the branch of the Loire above an old lock, and continue along the stony path. Go through the gate.

(5) Please note: carry on all the way to the end at the banks of the Loire, as if you turn off before this point, you will find yourself stuck in a field bordered by wire fencing at La Grande Prée. Follow the markings carefully as they descend for 100 m downstream, before heading back upstream along the embankment by the banks of the Loire. At the end, at La Rompure, you’ll come to a small road; turn left, then take the^GR® which follows a wide, poplar-lined avenue to the right and turns left.

(6) Turn left along the northern bank of the Boire de la Rompure, following the Discovery Trail.
Note: after 15 March, the path is passable; before this date it is likely to be flooded, in which case stay on the^GR® 3. If it is the right season (late March), admire the fritillaries and meadow cardamines (without picking them!) in the fields around you.
The path is magnificent and very well marked in yellow. You can see Drain Church on the hill.

(7) At the end of the path, on the small road you take to the left, rejoin the^GR®, then head right, then left until you reach the village of Les Brevets. Cross the road and continue on a long walk through the fields along the banks of the Loire, with several wooden footbridges for walkers. At the end, take the Route de l’Île Verte and continue straight on until you reach the Ancenis bridge.

(8) Cross the Loire via the bridge; the footpaths are protected.

(9) On the other side (castle on the right), turn left; the^GR®3runs right along the banks of the Loire. There are picnic facilities, benches below the Jardin de l’Éperon, facing south, as well as tables in the shade a little further on at Île Mouchet, all with a fabulous view of the Loire. Continue along Île Mouchet to La Grillette.

(10) Then turn right and head away from the river. Take the^first left. Pass under a high-voltage power line and turn right.

(11) You’ll come out onto a road; follow it to the left. This is the only slightly tedious part of the walk: a straight road surrounded by flat fields for about 1 km.

(12) At the end of the road, turn right at Pont Moricaud then left below the railway line. The path is wedged between the railway line and a branch of the Loire; opposite lies Île Macrière. At the end of the path, turn right towards the hamlet of Mont Piron.

(13) Join a small country road on the left and follow it to Oudon. As you pass, admire the Château Haute Roche. The^GR® is very well signposted all the way to the finish (S/E).

(1) Before the climb, a lovely spot for a picnic at the foot of the statue of the Virgin Mary.
(3) In Champtoceaux: small supermarket at the start, near the car park.

Total walking time: 5 hours 15 minutes.

Option to stop for lunch in Ancenis.