Between Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne and Saint-Maur

A beautiful walk in the Anjou region on the slopes of the Loire. This hike takes you through woods and vineyards and offers superb views of the Loire.

Details

403351
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 70 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 62 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 78 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 23 m

Description of the walk

In Saint-Maur, turn right just after the Abbey, go under a small bridge, follow the road to the right then to the left and leave your car on the side of the road, at the start of the path.

(S/E) Walk up through the vineyards towards Les Fourneaux (beautiful views of the Loire and La Ménitré in the distance). Once you reach the hamlet, turn left.

(1) About 300 metres further on, head into the woods on the right. Pass the water treatment plant on your right and continue straight on towards Boissay. At Boissay, turn left and head up towards Bois Héleau.

(2) Follow the tarmac road on the right. At the Rochereau dovecote, take a small path on the right, which passes to the left of the dovecote and avoids the road. At the bottom of this path, rejoin the road and follow it to the right. On the right-hand side, you will see a beautiful restored wash house.

(3) Shortly after the wash house, turn left onto Chemin de Rochereau. At the departmental road, first turn left then right, passing the sports hall on your left. Turn left towards the water treatment plant and rejoin the D55 road.

(4) Turn immediately left and go up the road. From there, do not follow the yellow or red lines. At the fork, turn left towards Moulin Neuf, following the road.

(5) At the top of the hill, before the bend, turn left towards Les Vigneaux. Cross the D21 and continue straight ahead. You will see huge orchards on your left and, if you are lucky, you may spot some deer. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and walk alongside the hamlet of La Barre.

(6) Then turn left, then immediately right and continue straight ahead. 550 metres further on, at Beaulieu, continue along the road for 200 metres.

(7) Turn left, pass the hamlet of La Pâture and then Les Buissons.

(1) Continue straight ahead along the same path to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 56 m - Verges, not far from the old abbey - La Loire
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 70 m - Turn right into the woods.
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 73 m - Turn right onto the tarmac road.
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 44 m - On the left, after the wash house
  5. 4 : km 3.57 - alt. 24 m - RD55 on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.52 - alt. 40 m - Turn left towards Les Vigneaux.
  7. 6 : km 6.38 - alt. 75 m - Turn left then immediately right.
  8. 7 : km 7.07 - alt. 77 m - Turn left towards La Pâture.
  9. S/E : km 8.21 - alt. 56 m - Verges, not far from the old abbey

Notes

Picturesque wash house between points (2) and (4).

Worth a visit

After this walk, you can visit the Bajoulière Dolmen by car.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
melanoak
melanoak
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

No interest, you walk on the road for most of the hike, including a very busy one.
There are no interesting viewpoints except at the very beginning.
Honestly, there are much better places to enjoy walking!

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Bénédicte V
Bénédicte V

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant outing on the hillside, passing through picturesque hamlets. However, a few comments, or rather warnings: the first concerns the paths taken, where the tarmac roads are sometimes dangerous. The description from number 5 onwards lacks clarity and finally, beware of the beautiful houses... we were attacked by three huge sheepdogs that rushed at us, barking and jumping on us as we walked past "Le Logis des Cloteaux" on the tarmac road near Marigné. I must admit I was very scared...!!!

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Franzas
Franzas

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The views of the Loire are not particularly impressive (other trails are better suited for this).
The tarmac and cars driving at speed are a no-no, and as there is no other way to complete a circular return, you have to turn back if you want to avoid the cars.

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EquipeVTT
EquipeVTT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We just thought we would have more views of the Loire, and indeed there were a lot of tarmac paths (not easy with children).

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olivier 18
olivier 18

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

tar:

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Jeffduval
Jeffduval

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful route despite a bit of tarmac, beautiful views

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, bernardchiappero

I prefer paths that are easy to walk on (and often tarmaced)

There are still some hikers who like tarmac

Just before you, marcelo33 wrote:

Far too much tarmac!!!

And Danibeuch wrote:

The route uses a bit too many tarmac paths.

So, there's something for everyone.

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bernardchiappero
bernardchiappero

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

With over 40 years of hiking experience in Anjou, I prefer accessible (and often paved) paths because the weather does not allow certain paths to be used between October and May, especially with children.

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marcelo33
marcelo33

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Far too much tar!!!

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menut c
menut c

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I tested this hike with the idea of doing it again with a small group of friends. However, a significant part of the route seemed dangerous to me because the walk takes place along roads that are too busy with traffic for my liking. It's a shame because the scenery was pleasant.

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sergio49
sergio49

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Apart from a stretch of road that was too busy, the rest of the route was very good.

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Danibeuch
Danibeuch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

As other users have pointed out, the route takes a few too many paved paths. On the way back, we slightly modified the route, which was more enjoyable.
Perhaps one small downside is that the starting point is not that easy to find.

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madalene49
madalene49

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

This route is about 75% on roads, which is disappointing. It's no longer a hike. The only interesting part is the section that overlaps with the Loire route around St Remy la Varenne. It's about the same length, but there are many more paths, walks along the Loire, and on the road section there are remarkable residences that make you forget the tarmac.

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NADINEHERV
NADINEHERV

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Shorter route than specified (half an hour less)
Very few views of the Loire: only at the start and on the way back

Uncertainty on the way back about which route to take, as it was not explained very clearly

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Landemaure
Landemaure

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant and varied hike. The only slight downside is that this hike follows too many roads. Fortunately, they are not too busy. All in all, a good hike.

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