Between the Loire and the vineyards in Drain - short version

This walk is a shorter version of the 18.7 km "Between the Loire and the vineyards" walk. You will cross Drain between hillsides, wooded paths, fields and vineyards. Take the time to observe the typical flora and fauna of each of these environments, as well as the unobstructed view of the Loire valleys as you cross the vineyards of Drain.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 36 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 36 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 45 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Drain (49530)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.344384° / W 1.206248°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1322SB, 1323SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Meet at the Beauregret campsite car park in Drain for the start of this hike, and follow the blue markings.

(S/E) When you are facing the campsite, take the road on your left markedGR®3, between the campsite and the pastures. Continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Continue along the path on your right. Follow it for about 550 m until you reach a T-junction. Turn right, leaving theGR®3, and continue straight ahead for 150 m.

(2) The path splits into three where you cross the Boire de la Rompure when its level is high. You can take the leftmost path if the level of the Boire is not too high; otherwise, take the middle path, which crosses a small bridge over a lock. Continue along this same path between the pastures for about 2 km until you reach a T-junction.

(3) Take the road on the left towards Les Brevets. Pass the campsite on your right, then turn right just after the last house in the hamlet. Stay on this path, which turns slightly to the left and then slightly to the right, leading to another junction.

(4) Turn right. You will then see the Boire de la Nigaudière on your left. Follow it until you reach a tarmac road. Turn left and cross two small bridges.

(5) Turn left onto the stony path that crosses Villeneuve, then left again at the first crossroads. Follow the path not far from the boires and the Ruisseau des Robinets. At the crossroads, turn left then immediately right to reach the D751. Cross carefully as there is no protected crossing and continue opposite towards Bas Frêne.

(6) Turn right through the vineyards until you reach Rue Guillaume.

(7) Turn left, then take the first street on the right, Impasse Fontaine des Sermentières (signposted as Chemin de la Caillerie). Follow this road, which turns slightly to the right and then to the left, until you reach Chemin des Dames. Continue until you reach the junction with Chemin des Tuilots.

(8) Turn right and walk along the cemetery. Cross the D751 at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead along Rue des Pêcheurs to reach the campsite car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 9 m - Beauregret Municipal Campsite in Drain
  2. 1 : km 1.58 - alt. 7 m - Crossroads, on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.3 - alt. 8 m - Drink Rompure - La Loire
  4. 3 : km 4.19 - alt. 9 m - Crossroads, on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.04 - alt. 7 m - Drink Nigaudière
  6. 5 : km 6.01 - alt. 9 m - Stony path on the left
  7. 6 : km 7.6 - alt. 31 m - Le Bas Frêne
  8. 7 : km 8.46 - alt. 39 m - Rue Guillaume
  9. 8 : km 9.07 - alt. 41 m - Chemin des Tuilots
  10. S/E : km 9.44 - alt. 9 m - Beauregret Municipal Campsite in Drain

Notes

Ideally, wear a high-visibility vest or other bright clothing, as you will sometimes be walking directly on the road, which is used by cars.

22% of paths are paved.

Worth a visit

Les boires

Boire: a common regional name in Maine-et-Loire and Loire-Atlantique: a boire or "bouère" (in Angevin dialect) is a backwater of the Loire, often silted up or muddy, which is refilled with water in winter when the river floods.
Thanks to the seven information panels along the discovery trail, you will learn about the different environments of the Drain boires. They comprise varied habitats due to different water levels and diverse vegetation.
This specific habitat is home to unique flora and fauna, such as the famous kingfisher, beaver and snake's head fritillary (herbaceous plant). Recently, the four-leaf water fern (Marsilea) has made a comeback. Can you spot them at the edge of the boires?
These species are protected: admire them without picking them.

Traces of the beaver

The European beaver is the largest rodent in France, with an average size of 80 to 120 cm, plus 40 cm for its tail. Although it seemed to have disappeared from the region in the 17th century, in recent years it has been making a comeback, particularly in the boires of Drain. It is mainly a nocturnal mammal, but you can see traces of its passage on the banks where it strips the bark from branches and trims trees into pencil shapes.

Pollarded ash trees

The pollarded ash tree is characteristic of the Loire region. It has many qualities, including being an excellent source of firewood. Known for its regular cut at the top of the trunk, this "monument" of the bocage is very useful for maintaining the banks. It is the victim of massive and uncoordinated felling, as the growth formed ("the burl") is a precious wood highly sought after for its veined structure and numerous colours. It is ideal for marquetry in the creation of musical instruments, boat fittings and car dashboards.

Sources: www.cpieloireanjou.fr

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 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Leparoux
Leparoux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike, with lots of foot traffic, on very clean and well-maintained paths, but with nothing much to see except for the upper section where we cross the rather pleasant vineyards with a view of the Loire Valley.

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Yves JOZEFIAK
Yves JOZEFIAK

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied route. I suggest crossing the stream at the start and following the discovery trail to reach point 1. Be careful between points 1 and 2, as there are many hunters in the area. In terms of safety, cars drive too fast on this section of road, even though the speed limit is 30 km/h. Otherwise, it's a very pleasant walk.

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surfy
surfy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The second half of the route is much better than the first, which is in full sun and not very interesting. But the view of the hills among the vineyards is worth the walk. Be warned, the hills are quite steep!
There is an unmarked stop worth making: at the metal gate, leave the path, go through it and stop right there at the edge of the "boire" (watering hole). It is an enchanting viewpoint that is almost worth the entire walk on its own.

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Arvelo
Arvelo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice little walk, nothing more

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Max 3007
Max 3007

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well marked and easy route.

A magnificent, peaceful and relaxing hike (meadows, streams, paths, vineyards). A real treat for nature lovers. One of the most beautiful routes I have ever done (I am a very regular walker in a walking club).

Definitely worth doing again.

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Madoudou44
Madoudou44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk, lovely paths through fields, along the riverbank and up the hillsides to finish atsuperb view.
Definitely worth doing again.

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Gabrielle/Pitaya
Gabrielle/Pitaya

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike on Friday, 14 May 2021. The blue markings are very well done... You find yourself in fields among cows watching you pass by. Great views in the vineyards. I'll do it again...

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