Château de La Rochepot walks

We leave the Natura 2000 area of the Arrière-côte de Dijon and Beaune and enter the natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest (ZNIEFF) of the Côte Chalonnaise. This heritage-rich stage is dotted with the châteaux of the Climats of the Burgundy vineyards, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Information boards offer panoramic views. The discovery of a Neolithic settlement precedes the walk through the premier crus of Mercurey.

This is a whole end-to-end 8-day dog-friendly 80 Km trip along the Route des Grands Crus (RDGC) from Santenay up to the edge of Dijon. On the way, you walk through great countryside, vineyards, and villages, covering the whole of the Côte d’Or which consists of two halves, the Côte de Beaune in the South end and the Côte de Nuits at the north end. We've divided the route into eight comfortable walks designed to provide a linear end-to-end route, each starting and finishing in accessible towns or villages. The wines and associated villages and vineyards are some of the most famous in the world with an unprecedented number of Grand Cru and Premier Cru marques, such as Chassagne-Montrachet in the south and Gevrey-Chambertin in the North (even the names of the villages sound enticing!). You will see that some of the vineyards are tiny - hence the exclusivity! - and indeed often divided up historically between many owners.

This is stage 1 Santenay to Meursault of the Route des Grands Crus. This walk runs from Santenay through villages of Chassagne Montrachet and St Aubin to the charming small town of Meursault; moderate difficulty with a bit of climbing, dog friendly via countryside and vineyards. End to end, a train service enables return to start.

This 2nd walk on the 8-walk Route des Grands Crus (RDGC) starts in the centre of the famous wine village of Meursault and joins the RDGC proper on the west edge of the village or a fraction further on near Auxey-Duresses. It continues through the charming village of Auxey-Duresses itself and runs through wonderful countryside and vineyards and although there is one steep climb, this provides great views of the valley villages below, before eventually reaching the wine village of Pommard. The walk is dog friendly. This is stage 2 of the Route des Grands Crus.

This stage 3 in the overall Route des Grands Crus Burgundy series. This dog friendly walk runs from Pommard centre up into the hills through vineyards and woods and then finishes down in the outskirts of Beaune in the delightful Park de la Bouzaise. There is an option for an easy circular return if needed.

This is stage 4 of the Route des Grands Crus series (RDGC). It covers the path from Beaune outskirts at Bouzaise Park through to Savigny-lès-Beaune and then Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton. It is dog-friendly and runs through charming villages, famous vineyards and wonderful countryside with great views. You will walk in both open country and the woods using good tracks or very quiet roads. There is some climbing but in general the walk is reasonably flat. Directions are well signposted. Although Aloxe-Corton is slightly off the official RDGC we finish there for a number of reasons outlined below including return route options

On the Mediterranean side of the Atlantic–Mediterranean watershed, the Côte Chalonnaise ZNIEFF reveals its vineyards, stubble fields and forests. Castles, wash houses and fountains add charm to the walk through the villages and hamlets. Panoramic views unfold one after another from the Vaux valley to Mont Brogny, via Mont Avril. A slight detour fromthe GR®® 7 trail allows you to discover a workshop that exports its works of art all over the world and to stop for a bite to eat at a restaurant.

This is stage 5 of the Route des Grands Crus and it runs from Pernand-Vergelesses round the woods and vineyards along to Magny-lès-Villers and Villers-la-Faye villages and round the quarry and down into Prémeaux-Prissey. .It is dog friendly and through both vineyards and countryside.