Refine your search for walks in Brains
Brains walks
Along the Guerche marsh
Visorando Member
3.76 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Brains (Loire-Atlantique)
This route crosses the Guerche marshes and the return route takes you via the Croix du Bignon.
The Great Wading Bird Trail starting from Port Hamoneau
5.08 mi
+49 ft
-52 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Port-Saint-Père (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike starts at Port Hamoneau in Brains on the banks of the Acheneau, then crosses the Marais du Cheval and the Marais de la Guerche.
Exploring La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau
4.87 mi
+164 ft
-167 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
This partly urban route takes you through the town centres of La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau. It offers the chance to explore little-known neighbourhoods, alleyways and narrow lanes on the outskirts.
La Montagne and La Roche Ballue with return via Bois du Brossais
5.81 mi
+141 ft
-138 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
A pleasant, mostly shaded walk. Depending on the season, especially the vegetation, the Roche Ballue viewpoints offer beautiful panoramic views.
The Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château du Pé, walking along the Île Pivin
6.92 mi
+138 ft
-144 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château de Pé whilst strolling along the banks of the Loire.
Roche Ballue via the Chemin des Canotiers from La Montagne
14.40 mi
+131 ft
-131 ft
2.5 hrs
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Circular route heading towards the town of Le Denis, which then follows the Chemin des Canotiers alongside the Bougon, before returning via La Roche Ballue along the Loire. The starting point is the Hyper U car park at La Montagne. I mapped out this route on a mountain bike, but it’s also very pleasant to walk in about 4 hours. This route can be combined with the walk between the Loire and Acheneau to create a 43 km route.
The La Roche Ballue stretch of water starting from Basse-Indre
5.13 mi
+282 ft
-279 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Indre (Loire-Atlantique) (Loire-Atlantique)
Enjoy a short crossing of the Loire by ferry to reach, partly through the woods, the site of La Roche Ballue, a former quarry converted into a leisure centre.Please note that free access to the leisure centre is only available outside the summer season, from September to mid-June.
From the Basse Indre ferry to the Pont Pierre quarry
7.24 mi
+243 ft
-217 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Indre (Loire-Atlantique) (Loire-Atlantique)
A lovely walk that starts by following the banks of the Loire, passing through the Tougas hills, then through the Tougas Marshes, before reaching the lake in the former Pont Pierre quarry.
From the village of Couëron to Lake Beaulieu and then to the Loire
5.90 mi
+161 ft
-167 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
Starting at the town hall square in Couëron, this circuit quickly leaves the village to reach Lake Beaulieu, offering some beautiful views of the town. After circling the lake and perhaps observing a few birds, it ends along the Loire, which you reach via footpaths. Here you will find Jean-Luc Courcoult's "La maison dans la Loire" (The House in the Loire) and the "Tour à Plomb" (Plumb Tower).
Suitable for all seasons, this route is particularly pleasant in the low winter light.
Couëron West: between town and countryside
5.67 mi
+85 ft
-82 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
Starting from the Couëron velodrome, this route begins in the old quarter of Bourg d’Aval and then follows the green corridor through the new neighbourhoods in the west-central part of the town. After an optional circular route through the countryside, it returns towards the Port-Launay neighbourhood near the Couëron–Le Pellerin ferry and then rejoins its starting point.
It is possible to shorten the route to a 6 km route.
From La Roche Ballue to La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe
4.60 mi
+197 ft
-190 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Circular route passing by the site of the old Roche Ballue quarry and the village of La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe.
Audubon Marsh Circular: Arche du Dareau - Etang-Bernard
6.12 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike covers part of the Marais Audubon, a wetland that is part of the estuarine marshes. This area is a sanctuary for many species of birds, including storks, herons, egrets, ducks, harriers... An area of extensive cattle farming, it is also home to other less desirable species, such as nutria.
This circular route of about 10km runs almost exclusively along roads – some of which are flood-prone – but with very little traffic.
The tour of the Canal de la Martinière to Le Pellerin
4.56 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Le Pellerin (Loire-Atlantique)
A pleasant walk along the Canal de la Martinière.
Route des Villages de Saint-Herblain
4.56 mi
+207 ft
-223 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Herblain (Loire-Atlantique)
A short walk to discover two sides of Saint-Herblain: the rural side, with its meadows, fields, woods and sunken lanes, and the urban side, with its hamlets, flower-filled gardens and connecting paths. Depending on the season, wild or domestic animals will accompany you amidst rich and sometimes lush vegetation. You’ll feel a world away from the big city.
Bouguenais, its valley, its banks of the Loire, its picturesque villages
7.44 mi
+187 ft
-167 ft
3h 35
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Discover unspoilt nature south of the Nantes conurbation. A circuit that winds along a stream and the Loire, through marshes and over the heights of the Roche Ballue quarry. You will discover Nantes and its conurbation. You will pass through picturesque little villages in unspoilt countryside.
The Étang-Bernard trail in Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc
5.89 mi
+66 ft
-66 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc (Loire-Atlantique)
This is a lovely walk starting along the railway line and continuing through the countryside until you reach a marshy area near L'Étang-Bernard. The return journey is again along the railway line. You will enjoy a wide variety of paths and landscapes.
Circular route between Sillon and Marais in Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc
8.23 mi
+331 ft
-348 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike takes place mainly on roads, but these are fairly quiet to very quiet. It follows sections ofthe GR®3and a few farm tracks. The hike offers some clear views from the heights of the Sillon de Bretagne (you can even see the Loire). There are also some interesting buildings to see along the way...
From La Chézine to Le Cens via Bongarand
Association / Club / Walk leader11.42 mi
+410 ft
-384 ft
2.5 hrs
Easy
Departure from Sautron (Loire-Atlantique)
The tour of the commune of Sautron, starting from the Chézine Valley, will take you to the Cens Valley, via theGR®3and the Bongarand chapel (halfway along the route, ideal for a break). You will cross several fords.
Route des Marais de Grand-Lieu to Saint-Mars-de-Coutais
4.68 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Saint-Mars-de-Coutais (Loire-Atlantique)
During this walk, you’ll pass meadows, vineyards and forests lined with pollarded trees. Halfway along the route, you’ll pass through Bois Joli, which certainly lives up to its name. The icing on the cake is the finale in the marshes, on the edge of Lac de Grand-Lieu. Wildlife, flora and landscapes to discover: a complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
Depending on the season, you’ll walk along sandy paths lined with ditches and meadows grazed by cattle in summer and much loved by birds all year round.
From Sautron to Orvault via the Cens Valley
5.55 mi
+131 ft
-213 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Sautron (Loire-Atlantique)
A lovely walk leading from Place François Baudry in Sautron to Place d’Auteuil in Orvault, following the Cens valley for most of the route.
Circular route for four parks in Saint-Herblain
7.54 mi
+249 ft
-240 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Herblain (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike starts in a neighbourhood with tall buildings and takes you to Val de Chézine Park. A path along the Chézine river will take you to Gournerie Park, where you can see a castle and beautiful ponds. On the way back, you will follow the Chézine river again for a few kilometres. You will make a short detour via Parc des Quatre Vents and then reach Parc de la Bégraisière. The hike ends back at Parc du Val de Chézine.
Sautron and the Cens
5.84 mi
+213 ft
-210 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Sautron (Loire-Atlantique)
A lovely little route along the Cens and through the countryside around Sautron.
Place d’Auteuil, Bois Raguenet, Château de la Tour, Cens Valley, Orvault
9.78 mi
+305 ft
-305 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Orvault (Loire-Atlantique)
A lovely walk that takes you through the Bois Raguenet park with its splendid trees, on a pleasant country stroll to the Château de la Tour, and back along the Cens Valley.
Orvault - Petit Chantilly, Odyssée, Bugallière, La Forêt, Cens Valley
7.75 mi
+200 ft
-200 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Orvault (Loire-Atlantique)
An urban and rural walk that passes through neighbourhoods that are very different from one another and ends with a climb along the Cens.
A walk through Bois Raguenet, Le Loret, the Cens and the Cholière pond
5.77 mi
+243 ft
-240 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Orvault (Loire-Atlantique)
This is a lovely walk that allows you to discover very different aspects of the village of Orvault. After a quick visit to Bois Raguenet and its magnificent park, you’ll take a stroll through the countryside leading to the Château du Loret. Although it’s barely visible as you pass by, it will come into view once you reach the pond of the same name. Next, as you pass through the village of Orvault, you’ll be able to admire a huge wayside cross and a beautiful church. Finally, the route through the Cens valley will take you to the lovely Cholière pond.