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Fresnay-en-Retz walks
The Fresnay Marsh
Visorando Member
4.34 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Fresnay-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Until the 10th century, the sea bordered the village of Fresnay, then gradually receded, leaving behind a marsh that you can explore on this walk.
The hills above Saint-Cyr-en-Retz
3.84 mi
+79 ft
-79 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Bourgneuf-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the hedgerow countryside of the Pays de Retz with views over the Breton marshes. Starting from the orientation table, take a walk through the hedgerow countryside and return via the village, where you can discover one of the most beautiful churches in the Loire-Atlantique.
Les Hauts du Treil
5.08 mi
+62 ft
-59 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
Passing through charming villages and pretty little hamlets, you will also walk alongside the Grand Étang, which has been developed for leisure and fishing, as well as market gardens where lamb's lettuce is grown in such large quantities that Machecoul-Saint-Même is one of the leading producers in Europe.
Gadwall ducks, mallards and swans await you on this hike, which will take you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Machecoul-Saint-Même.
La Chaume Abbey
4.62 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
As you walk, you’ll be treated to a variety of landscapes: market gardens, woodland, sandy paths and grassy tracks, as well as some unusual sites steeped in history. La Chaume Abbey, founded in the 11th century, has had a very turbulent history; the trapezium-shaped Merovingian sarcophagi in the cemetery, carved from La Chaume limestone; and finally, the 19th-century racecourse.
The marsh
5.64 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
The Breton marsh... a magnificently wild and little-known land for walkers.
This route will take you through its vast expanses, among herons and little egrets!
The croaking of frogs will accompany you in summer and you will be surprised by the transformation of the landscape in winter.
In spring, life is reborn and explodes in this particularly rich aquatic environment.
Machecoul Forest from Saint-Même-le-Tenu
6.50 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Saint-Même-le-Tenu (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike allows you to discover the Machecoul forest with its characteristic flora and rich forest birdlife, not to mention numerous rare or endangered insects.
Around Port du Collet
7.82 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Les Moutiers-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
A seaside walk starting from the small Port du Collet, formed by the estuary of a coastal river between the Loire Atlantique and the Vendée
It first follows a small winding road through the Marais Breton marshes, where you can observe numerous wild birds, including swans, geese, ducks, egrets and other marsh wildlife. It then runs along the coast, between the dunes and the beach, with magnificent views of the island of Noirmoutier, Bourgneuf Bay and its fishing grounds.
The Templars’ Route in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons
9.69 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons (Loire-Atlantique)
This walk will take you through a rural landscape of vast fields and meadows, surrounded by beautiful hedgerows. Lovely paths lined with oak, ash or willow trees will lead you from hamlet to hamlet. Here and there, majestic wind turbines will remind you that you’re in the wind. Make the most of it.
Marshes, storks and ancient abbey on Île Chauvet
4.17 mi
+3 ft
-3 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Bois-de-Céné (Vendée)
A short walk in the heart of the marsh. Depending on the season, you may see storks, shelducks, ibises and all kinds of wading birds. The walk starts on the cycle path towards Bouin, and after the hamlet of Mon Désir, the return journey is via the stork trail.
Route des Marais de Grand-Lieu to Saint-Mars-de-Coutais
4.68 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Saint-Mars-de-Coutais (Loire-Atlantique)
During this walk, you’ll pass meadows, vineyards and forests lined with pollarded trees. Halfway along the route, you’ll pass through Bois Joli, which certainly lives up to its name. The icing on the cake is the finale in the marshes, on the edge of Lac de Grand-Lieu. Wildlife, flora and landscapes to discover: a complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
Depending on the season, you’ll walk along sandy paths lined with ditches and meadows grazed by cattle in summer and much loved by birds all year round.
Route of three villages starting from the Garnache communal forest
4.42 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from La Garnache (Vendée)
This walk is suitable in all seasons. Just one thing to bear in mind for the first four hundred metres: avoid the ruts left by farm machinery on the forest track in wet weather.
The Falleron Valley
4.62 mi
+135 ft
-115 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Mer-Morte (Loire-Atlantique)
A peaceful walk awaits you on this route, dotted with typical villages such as La Brosse, La Grivière and L’Épronnière. Winding through the bocage, this route will take you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the village of Saint-Étienne de Mer Morte. The path will take you across the little stream known as the Blanchardière, and a ford will allow you to cross the Falleron.
The Great Wading Bird Trail starting from Port Hamoneau
5.08 mi
+49 ft
-52 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Port-Saint-Père (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike starts at Port Hamoneau in Brains on the banks of the Acheneau, then crosses the Marais du Cheval and the Marais de la Guerche.
Route des Moulins
25.50 mi
+135 ft
-144 ft
4 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Challans (Vendée)
Around Challans, this route takes you to explore two mills that are still in operation.
The first section, in the Sallertaine marshes, offers the chance to spot numerous wetland birds.
In the second part, around Châteauneuf, you may spot wildlife in the early morning (roe deer, hares, pheasants, etc.) and, in spring, observe the storks nesting near the abbey on Île Chauvet.
The Haute Perche Canal
5.42 mi
+151 ft
-174 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Pornic (Loire-Atlantique)
A stone's throw from the centre of Pornic, the Haute Perche Canal is a haven of peace for walkers.
Between rolling landscapes and bocage scenery, discover the history and natural riches of this waterway from one bank to the other.
In the footsteps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine
4.87 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
Circular on the steps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine and the surrounding area. This walk takes you to the Moulin de Rairé mill.
From Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé
1.05 mi
+3 ft
-10 ft
0h 30
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
A pleasant walk through the marshes from Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé, the only windmill to have been in continuous operation since 1560.
Circular walk through the Sallertaine Marshes
8.02 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
The village of Sallertaine and its marshes. Not always accessible during very wet periods – check beforehand. It’s a feast for the eyes on windless mornings. It’s like walking on a mirror. There aren’t many paths; this route is mainly tarmac.
From Pornic to Port du Collet via the coastal path
10.89 mi
+305 ft
-302 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Pornic (Loire-Atlantique)
A superb walk along the Côte de Jade. The scenery alternates between beaches and cliffs, with numerous well-preserved fishing huts that are used during the summer months. You can see two megaliths at La Joselière and La Fontaine aux Bretons.
A one-way walk between Pornic station and Port du Collet: make arrangements for your return journey.
Along the Guerche marsh
3.76 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Brains (Loire-Atlantique)
This route crosses the Guerche marshes and the return route takes you via the Croix du Bignon.
The tour of the Canal de la Martinière to Le Pellerin
4.56 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Le Pellerin (Loire-Atlantique)
A pleasant walk along the Canal de la Martinière.
Roche Ballue via the Chemin des Canotiers from La Montagne
14.40 mi
+131 ft
-131 ft
2.5 hrs
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Circular route heading towards the town of Le Denis, which then follows the Chemin des Canotiers alongside the Bougon, before returning via La Roche Ballue along the Loire. The starting point is the Hyper U car park at La Montagne. I mapped out this route on a mountain bike, but it’s also very pleasant to walk in about 4 hours. This route can be combined with the walk between the Loire and Acheneau to create a 43 km route.
Exploring La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau
4.87 mi
+164 ft
-167 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
This partly urban route takes you through the town centres of La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau. It offers the chance to explore little-known neighbourhoods, alleyways and narrow lanes on the outskirts.
La Montagne and La Roche Ballue with return via Bois du Brossais
5.81 mi
+141 ft
-138 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
A pleasant, mostly shaded walk. Depending on the season, especially the vegetation, the Roche Ballue viewpoints offer beautiful panoramic views.
The Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château du Pé, walking along the Île Pivin
6.92 mi
+138 ft
-144 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château de Pé whilst strolling along the banks of the Loire.
Couëron West: between town and countryside
5.67 mi
+85 ft
-82 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
Starting from the Couëron velodrome, this route begins in the old quarter of Bourg d’Aval and then follows the green corridor through the new neighbourhoods in the west-central part of the town. After an optional circular route through the countryside, it returns towards the Port-Launay neighbourhood near the Couëron–Le Pellerin ferry and then rejoins its starting point.
It is possible to shorten the route to a 6 km route.
Audubon Marsh Circular: Arche du Dareau - Etang-Bernard
6.12 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike covers part of the Marais Audubon, a wetland that is part of the estuarine marshes. This area is a sanctuary for many species of birds, including storks, herons, egrets, ducks, harriers... An area of extensive cattle farming, it is also home to other less desirable species, such as nutria.
This circular route of about 10km runs almost exclusively along roads – some of which are flood-prone – but with very little traffic.
From the village of Couëron to Lake Beaulieu and then to the Loire
5.90 mi
+161 ft
-167 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Couëron (Loire-Atlantique)
Starting at the town hall square in Couëron, this circuit quickly leaves the village to reach Lake Beaulieu, offering some beautiful views of the town. After circling the lake and perhaps observing a few birds, it ends along the Loire, which you reach via footpaths. Here you will find Jean-Luc Courcoult's "La maison dans la Loire" (The House in the Loire) and the "Tour à Plomb" (Plumb Tower).
Suitable for all seasons, this route is particularly pleasant in the low winter light.
From La Roche Ballue to La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe
4.60 mi
+197 ft
-190 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Circular route passing by the site of the old Roche Ballue quarry and the village of La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe.
The La Roche Ballue stretch of water starting from Basse-Indre
5.13 mi
+282 ft
-279 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Indre (Loire-Atlantique) (Loire-Atlantique)
Enjoy a short crossing of the Loire by ferry to reach, partly through the woods, the site of La Roche Ballue, a former quarry converted into a leisure centre.Please note that free access to the leisure centre is only available outside the summer season, from September to mid-June.
From the Basse Indre ferry to the Pont Pierre quarry
7.24 mi
+243 ft
-217 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Indre (Loire-Atlantique) (Loire-Atlantique)
A lovely walk that starts by following the banks of the Loire, passing through the Tougas hills, then through the Tougas Marshes, before reaching the lake in the former Pont Pierre quarry.
Route des Villages de Saint-Herblain
4.56 mi
+207 ft
-223 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Herblain (Loire-Atlantique)
A short walk to discover two sides of Saint-Herblain: the rural side, with its meadows, fields, woods and sunken lanes, and the urban side, with its hamlets, flower-filled gardens and connecting paths. Depending on the season, wild or domestic animals will accompany you amidst rich and sometimes lush vegetation. You’ll feel a world away from the big city.