From Chemin de la Plaine to the banks of the Loire: Between the levees

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A hike offering great contrasts between the open fields of the first part and the wild banks of the Loire in the second part, with its unspoilt natural site known as "Entre les levées". Proposed by the tourist office as part of the Randonnée des Châtaignes (Chestnut Hike), this route was very popular with hikers.

Details

n°86884221
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 118 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 111 m
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Photos

On the GR hiking trail along the Loire
Near the aerodrome
Crossing the agricultural plain
The magic of the banks of the Loire

Description of the walk

Departure from the church in Saint-Père-sur-Loire: free parking available in the adjacent streets.

(S/E) Set off along Rue de la Motte opposite the church, then turn left onto Rue d'Anjou. Cross the old railway line and keep right onto Chemin des Places. Follow this small road straight ahead.

(1) At the waste collection centre, take the road straight ahead, then turn left in the countryside and right at the end of the road.

(2) At the woods, stay on the main path that runs straight along the woods.

(3) At the end of the road, turn right and then take the first road on the left. Pass the aerodrome and continue straight ahead to the hamlet of Les Places.

(4) Cross the RD60 with caution, then follow it to the right using the fairly wide grass verge. Turn left onto Chemin des Fourneaux.

(5) Enter the path straight ahead, which is marked in red and white (GR®3). You will pass a beautiful group of well-preserved traditional buildings. At the edge of the Loire, turn left to continue following the GR®.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the GR®.

(7) At the chicane, turn left to enter the Espace Naturel Sensible (Sensitive Natural Area) and enjoy the varied vegetation and beautiful trees.

(8) At the edge of the woods, take the path along the banks of the Loire to the left. Then, in the clearing, take the main path straight ahead, which passes in front of the Saint-Père-sur-Loire campsite.

(9) At the footbridge car park, continue straight ahead and then take the path to the right that passes under the footbridge. At the public garden, turn left and follow Rue du Vieux Bourg straight ahead.

(10) Cross the RD6 using the pedestrian crossing (you can activate the red light for cars by pressing the button) then continue straight ahead along Rue de Sologne, which will take you back to the church (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 115 m - Church Square
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 115 m - Path next to the waste collection centre
  3. 2 : km 2.14 - alt. 114 m - Walk along the woods
  4. 3 : km 2.7 - alt. 114 m - On the right at the T-junction
  5. 4 : km 4.53 - alt. 113 m - Crossing the RD 60
  6. 5 : km 4.84 - alt. 117 m - Chemin des Fourneaux (GR) - La Loire
  7. 6 : km 6.17 - alt. 114 m - Straight ahead
  8. 7 : km 7.5 - alt. 114 m - Entrance to the Sensitive Natural Area
  9. 8 : km 8.6 - alt. 116 m - GR marked trail
  10. 9 : km 9.48 - alt. 116 m - Footbridge car park
  11. 10 : km 9.79 - alt. 118 m - Rue de Sologne
  12. S/E : km 9.94 - alt. 115 m - Church Square

Notes

  • Café in front of the town hall of Saint-Père-sur-Loire, 300 m away via Rue de Berry.
  • Picnic tables in the public garden at the foot of the footbridge over the Loire.

Worth a visit

  • Church of Saint-Père-sur-Loire, contemporary as it was rebuilt after the bombings of the Second World War: open every day
  • Microlight baptism at the Val de Loire club aerodrome in the hamlet of Les Places in Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire

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Mainly on dirt, sand or gravel paths, this fairly easy circuit takes you through the peaceful and varied landscapes of the Sologne: ponds, forests, hedgerow-enclosed pastures and interspersed crops. At the start and finish, the pretty village of Villemurlin offers a typical Sologne charm with its brick houses and blue ladders, reminders of a time when the attic was accessed from outside. Initially shared with the family path of Villemurlin (the "chouette promenade" or "owl walk"), this route then takes a shortened version of the former "PR® des domaines de chasse et cultures" (hunting grounds and farmland), of which a few signs remain.

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