Fay-aux-Loges walks

The hike first follows the towpath of the Canal d'Orléans and then returns to Fay-aux-Loges via the Orléans National Forest. You will enjoy the still waters of the canal and its many reflections, its locks, its wildlife, then the wide forest paths, and finally the stone bell tower of the church as you approach the village. Please note that on 19 February 2023, I was informed that part of the route along the canal is closed for works for an indefinite period (no end date displayed).

Starting from Traînou, with its distinctive bell tower, this idyllic walk through countryside and woodland is home to a particularly rich variety of flora and fauna.

A pleasant and easy hike offering varied landscapes. We walk along the Loire for over a kilometre before turning away from it to enter the forest, admire the beautiful Château de Chenailles, then return to Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel via the ponds.

This circular will take you along the left bank of the Loire to Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. You will cross the castle grounds and its arboretum. The return to Jargeau is via the right bank. This circular route is known as thePR® des deux ponts (Two BridgesPR® ), modified to include access to the Loire Marine Museum and a stroll through the arboretum and the pretty Rhododendron Avenue.

This superb circular route runs along the right bank of the Loire for over six kilometres. Narrow paths, almost right up against the water’s edge, offer magnificent views of the wild river, its flora and fauna. The second part of this circular route follows paths through a wide variety of landscapes, including vast plains, woodland and forests. It ends at the banks of the Canal d’Orléans and the pretty Venelle des Lilas. Don’t forget your binoculars.

Between the Canal d'Orléans and the meanders of the Loire, not forgetting a short detour along the Cens, the route opens up onto the town of Chécy, perched on the banks of the Loire.

In the heart of the Forest of Orléans, with its fern-filled undergrowth ideal for spotting wildlife, this short, shaded walk passes numerous ponds.

Starting from Charbonnières Park in the Orléans Forest, also known for its château, the route leads along the banks of the Bionne, a pretty stream with silvery reflections, and to the gates of the Château de Plissay, built in the pure Restoration style.

A must-see route in the Forest of Orléans due to the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from ponds to dense or sparse forests, which are prime habitats for wildlife. The vast Vallée pond, which was originally created to feed the Orléans Canal, has become a leisure destination with its water sports centre, banks ideal for fishing, and paths perfect for a stroll.

From the Combreux lock, discover the Canal d'Orléans and its ponds in a forest where a rich and varied fauna will accompany you and allow you to observe them as you walk along the path. Be early, discreet and attentive to enjoy it. Don't rely on the photos showing the towpath. It has been replaced by a cycle path. The walk loses some of its charm but is still very pleasant.

A family walk between the Loire and the Canal de la Loire. Alternating between woodland, fields and canal banks. The canal banks and locks welcome us with open arms. We can see barges moored on the banks of the Loire, the bird island with the different species of our region and, if we are there at the right time of year, we will be lucky enough to see them nesting. Sandy beaches welcome us for a short break. And finally, we can enjoy the tranquillity of the canal banks.

In the heart of the Ingrannes Forest, sometimes following wide, sun-drenched avenues and at other times narrower, shaded paths, this route is ideal for forest lovers wishing to spot large wild animals, listen to the birds, or simply breathe in the fresh air, far from roads and villages.

A stroll between the Loire and former gravel pits where nature has quietly reclaimed its rights. The water bodies have gradually been colonised by a diverse range of wildlife, making the Bois de l'Île a rich nature reserve. The ruins of the Château de l'Isle, witness to the wrath of the Loire, are sure to amaze you.

This route is called "West of Chilleurs-aux-Bois - Route No. 5". This circuit takes you on a tour of the western part of the commune and its main hamlets, starting from the centre of the village and the Lavau district: La Noue Glaçon, Le Coudray, Le Charme, L'Etang, Marcilly, Olivet, Ronville, Le Moulin de Pierre, La Fosse Aux Morts and Les Sapins. Return to the centre of the village via La Grande Gervaise. You will pass close to the sites of two of the five grain mills that once stood in Chilleur-aux-Bois. In Ronville, you will pass the boundary of the commune of Neuville-aux-Bois. You will walk along the "fosse aux morts" (dead man's ditch), which reminds us that the 1870 war was very deadly in our region. You will then reach the village and Saint-Pierre Church, a historic monument built between the13th and14th centuries. The route is not particularly difficult and is mainly on roads.

Close to the Loire, this fairly easy route runs alongside the Sologne region with its landscapes of woodland and farmland. Several points of interest (a pond, hedgerows, livestock farms) add a touch of variety to a route largely characterised by its woodland atmosphere. Best avoided during the hunting season from late September to February.

Quite close to the Loire between Sully and Châteauneuf, on the edge of the Sologne region, a family walk in the countryside. Starting from a charming village where a Gallo-Roman treasure was found in the 19th century.

The juggler is one of the figures from the Gallo-Roman treasure found at Neuvy-en-Sulias in 1861 and displayed in the permanent exhibition in the garden adjoining the town hall. This very pleasant route offers a fine variety of landscapes typical of the Loire and Sologne regions, comprising three interwoven features: the wooded bocage and its meadows, the mixed deciduous and coniferous forest with few straight lines, and the open agricultural plain. The River Loire and the Leu stream provide a refreshing finale to the walk. A wealth of points of interest punctuate and enliven this route: a 16th-century château, the former port of Bouteille, a tile works listed as a historic monument, a windmill… The route is marked in yellow by the FFR and featured in the guidebook ‘La Sologne à pied’.

Starting from the village of Chambon-la-Forêt, known for Château de la Luzerne, the route will take you deep into the vast Orléans Forest. The undergrowth, filled with ferns and heather, is home to large wild animals in the tranquillity of the state-owned forest.