Keephold and Nièvre Canal in Cravant

A very easy hike, with a return trip along the Canal d'Acconay and then the Canal de la Nièvre. The section through the woods offers a beautiful view of Accolay.

Details

45132159
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 87 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 87 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 202 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 109 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Cravant (Yonne) (89460)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.681286° / E 3.690314°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Cravant-Bazarnes.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2721SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Cravant keep car park.

(S/E) Facing the keep, leave the car park and take Rue de Monteloup, almost opposite and on your left. Leave it at the end of the bend and turn left onto Chemin de Moque Baril: white and redGR®13markings.

(1) Continue along the path on your left, following the markings, until you reach a four-way crossroads at the edge of the woods.

(2) Continue straight ahead until the next crossroads.

(3) Continue downhill, taking the path opposite that leads to the D606 at a place called Bertreau.

(4) Carefully make a quick first turn left then right turn to cross the departmental road and take the road opposite that leads to Accollay.

(5) After crossing the bridge over the Cure, leave theGR® markings, descend to the right and follow the canal. Pass under the bridge that leads to the island and the Moulin Jacquot and continue straight ahead.

(6) Pass the Écluse de la Noue lock and continue to the confluence of the Accolay Canal and the Yonne River.

(7) Go up onto the iron bridge and continue to the right along the canal towards the north-east, north.

(8) Pass the Maunoir lock on the Canal du Nivernais.

(9) Leave the canal by turning right to cross the bridge and follow the D606 (Route de Paris) towards Cravant.

(10) Continue straight ahead, leaving the departmental road to pass under the city gate, and follow Rue d'Orléans to the small square with a fountain.

(11) Turn right onto Rue Saint-Martin to find the keep car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 115 m - Car park - Donjon de Cravant
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 138 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 196 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 156 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.45 - alt. 125 m - D606, Bertreau
  6. 5 : km 2.89 - alt. 116 m - Bridge over the - Cure (la)
  7. 6 : km 4.67 - alt. 114 m - Noue lock on the - Canal d'Accolay
  8. 7 : km 5.44 - alt. 113 m - Iron bridge. Confluence of the Canal d'Accolay and the - Yonne (l')
  9. 8 : km 5.94 - alt. 113 m - Lock on the - Canal du Nivarnais
  10. 9 : km 7.4 - alt. 114 m - Bridge
  11. 10 : km 7.82 - alt. 115 m - City gate
  12. 11 : km 8.02 - alt. 118 m - Fountain
  13. S/E : km 8.28 - alt. 115 m - Keep going straight on to reach the keep car park (S/E).

Worth a visit

 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

4.6 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Jacques HOPPMANN
Jacques HOPPMANN

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are two black spots:
- Firstly, crossing the three lanes of the D 606 without a protected crossing.
- Second, crossing the two bridges at the entrance to Cravant, where the pavements are too narrow to offer any real protection, especially from heavy goods vehicles.
It's a shame that the final stretch is so paved. Otherwise, the route alternates between beautiful landscapes from the heights and a meditative section along the canal, which may be less enjoyable depending on one's mood.

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Jacques HOPPMANN
Jacques HOPPMANN

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Leaving Cravant, everything would be fine if it weren't for the motocross riders tearing up the GR trail. On the plateau, there is a panoramic view of the confluence valley.
After the descent to Accolay and crossing the D606 (dangerous), you cross the Accolay bridge (pottery) and turn right onto the bank of the Accolay canal. This last part may seem long for those whose only goal is to walk...
The last two kilometres are on tarmac, which is not ideal.
From experience, I prefer to do it in reverse 😜😉

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lyllatsrando
lyllatsrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike that begins with a nice little climb between 1 and 2... cardio guaranteed
The walk along the Accolay Canal is very pleasant
And the surrounding countryside is always so beautiful, especially in autumn
Thank you

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G.O
G.O

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful first part up to the towpath. The rest is a bit monotonous

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User 13398057

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
My biggest regret is seeing the trail damaged by motorised two-wheelers, especially on the climb out of Cravant. What's more, these people aren't particularly respectful of walkers.
Best regards...

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surget
surget

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the Accolay and Nivernais canals.

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Eric89200
Eric89200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An easy, rolling hike. Ideal with children. The stretch along the canal offers pleasant scenery, but it can be a bit monotonous over long distances.

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rando8947
rando8947

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, varied and very pleasant walk along the Nivernais Canal and the Accolay transition canal.

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Jacques HOPPMANN
Jacques HOPPMANN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, well marked but partly frequented by motor vehicles. I really enjoyed the climb to Monteloup, the junction with the GR 13 and the descent to the RN 606 (a tricky crossing) through the vineyards and the very pleasant landscape.
The rest of the walk is mostly on tarmac, except for the section along the Accolay canal, where deforestation work may disturb tree lovers (like me).
Between historical heritage (Cravant) and a village steeped in art history (Accolay), this is a beautiful 8.27 km walk.

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Jacques HOPPMANN
Jacques HOPPMANN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, well marked but partly frequented by motor vehicles. I really enjoyed the climb to Monteloup, the junction with the GR 13 and the descent to the RN 606 (a tricky crossing) through the vineyards and the very pleasant landscape.
The rest of the walk is mostly on tarmac, except for the section along the Accolay canal, where deforestation work may disturb tree lovers (like me).
Between historical heritage (Cravant) and a village steeped in art history (Accolay), this is a beautiful 8.27 km walk.

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