Between the hillsides of the Loire, the Forest of Amboise and the vineyards

The route allows you to discover the Coudre valley, then hike through the Amboise Forest and finally through the vineyards of the Montlouis AOP appellation, before returning to the other side of the Coudre.

Details

40149882
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 93 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 90 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 109 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 57 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park between the Route de Tours and the church of Lussault-sur-Loire.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs to the right of the church and follow theGR®3along a sometimes narrow path that then descends towards the Route de Tours, passing through the hamlets of La Grange Molard and La Moinerie.

(1) Follow theGR® along a road on the right that climbs up a hairpin bend. You can admire the Château Le Chatelier. Continue to a path on the right in the bend in the road.

(2) Take this path, which runs alongside a property with palm trees and leads to a road.

(3) Turn left and head uphill. At the intersection with another path coming in from the left, take the path on the right, which is still theGR®. Pass La Bigonnerie.

(4) At the three-way junction, leave theGR® and take the path on the right that runs alongside the Forest of Amboise, then enter it via the Allée des Merisiers. Continue to the last path on the right before a road.

(5) Take the hairpin bend and continue straight on for about 600 m until you reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn left towards the Mare du Palis, pass this pond and arrive at the Allée de la Congonnière.

(7) Turn right into the Foulon valley and veer left.

(8) Turn right and follow the path straight ahead, leaving a small path on your left. The path veers left then right. Leave the forest towards the Carroi de Foulon intersection.

(9) Keep to the far left, then take the path on the left that enters the edge of the forest and joins a road, which you follow for about 100 metres.

(10) Turn right onto a path that then turns right after Château de Pintray (where you can visit the vineyard). The path continues along the road near the Aquarium de Touraine. The route then joins theGR® via the road and then a path.

(11) Turn right and join a road that leads back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 57 m - Route de Tours - Parking de l' - Église Saint-Étienne (Lussault-sur-Loire)
  2. 1 : km 1.58 - alt. 57 m - Route de Tours - La Loire
  3. 2 : km 2.06 - alt. 77 m - Fork in the path
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 79 m - Road junction
  5. 4 : km 3.03 - alt. 102 m - Fork after La Bigonnerie
  6. 5 : km 4.61 - alt. 103 m - Path on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 105 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 5.7 - alt. 101 m - Allée de la Congonnière
  9. 8 : km 6.42 - alt. 95 m - Fork
  10. 9 : km 7.19 - alt. 87 m - Carroi de Foulon intersection
  11. 10 : km 8.74 - alt. 98 m - Fork in the path
  12. 11 : km 10.57 - alt. 85 m - Path on the right
  13. S/E : km 11.83 - alt. 57 m - Route de Tours - Parking de l' - Église Saint-Étienne (Lussault-sur-Loire)

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Fleurcormier
Fleurcormier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with stunning panoramic views and varied landscapes. We had a few minor issues with the instructions, particularly between points 2 and 3 (but not only there), as it often says "path" instead of "road". Nothing too serious, we always managed to find our way in the end.
There were lots of opportunities to pick fruit along the way (blackberries, raspberries, peaches, walnuts, etc., and no doubt chestnuts in a few days' time, in the part of the forest that is populated with chestnut trees).
It took us less than 3 hours (3½ hours with breaks and "harvesting" ;-) )

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Hugues Olmeda
Hugues Olmeda
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route through the town and hillsides is very interesting. However, the forest section can be dangerous due to fallen branches and trees, as it is not maintained. In addition, some trails are on private land, which requires permission to use. The owner of a plot of land we came across along the Allée des Merisiers advised us to contact the town hall before following the route through the forest.

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ludorene
ludorene

Thank you very much. Glad you had a pleasant time.

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FloBarc
FloBarc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent autumn hike. Very natural, with little farmland and lots of forests and meadows. Can also be done in midsummer, as it is well shaded. One of my favourites in the region.

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ludorene
ludorene

Thank you for this information, but the cherry tree avenue is marked on the IGN and maps, but there is no sign. I hope you had a pleasant time despite everything.

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catherine gallen
catherine gallen

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, we never found Allée des Merisiers as indicated... but otherwise, beautiful views and a nice spot in the forest with the Palis pond where we had a picnic. Thank you.

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Géraud de BOISSET
Géraud de BOISSET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk taken on a mild spring morning under a generous sun. No topographical difficulties and well-marked paths, including a section of the GR trail. Points of interest include the pretty hillside village of Lursault (and its little Saint Étienne church), the passages through the Amboise forest, the Palis pond (between 6 & 7) and the views of the vineyards and Pintray castle (10). There is virtually no tarmac. Thank you for this new walk, which enriches our Visorando website.

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veronique.bioret
veronique.bioret

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 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 hike. Between the hillsides, with beautiful views of the Loire, the Amboise forest and the Touraine countryside. Excellent GPS track!

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ludorene
ludorene

Thank you for these comments.
Regarding the route between points 5 to 8, these are registered paths except for 200 metres before point 8, but unless I am mistaken, this is the boundary with the national forest.
The small detour is indeed a personal choice to enjoy a view of the Loire and the Coudre valley and thus avoid walking along the national road for 500 metres.

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DUPRÉ  Jean-Claude
DUPRÉ Jean-Claude

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Between DA and 1: steep climb followed by a very steep descent, with little of interest at the top.
Between 5 and 8: Private property... no trespassing under penalty of a fine! ! ! !.....I went through anyway......
I reached 9 at DA... I didn't do 9... 10... 11... DA... it was 8.21 km instead of 11.83 km.

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