Gare de Malesherbes walks

On the edge of the Ile-de-France region, this hike from station to station follows the Essonne Valley from south to north. It takes forest paths, small roads with little traffic and paths between fields. This route allows you to discover an interesting heritage: mills, churches and castles, as well as a menhir and a polisher that attest to the ancient human occupation of the area.

In the south of the Essonne department, this station-to-station hike alternates between forest paths, quiet country lanes and paths through the fields. Along the way, there is a wealth of heritage to discover: a mill, churches, a castle and a Neolithic grinding stone.

Around Malesherbes, a 29 km route along paths and lanes. Numerous small ponds dot the route.

Named after Acionna, the Gallo-Roman goddess of rivers, the Essonne flows through the north of the Loiret department and the south of the Île-de-France region. The first five stages follow its course downstream, while the last four follow it upstream. These nine stages are accessible by train. One stage, which is not accessible by train, forms a circular route upstream. The route alternates between paths along the river, passages through woods and those across cultivated plateaus.

After crossing the Rambouillet Forest in the previous stage, this section is a restful one. It takes you to Malesherbes station. This is one of the easiest stages of the GR®1. The start is at Le Vaudoué. It is the only stage of the GR®1 that does not start at a station. The hike alternates between sections in the woods and more rural sections. The first interesting sight on the route is the church in Le Vaudoué. The path then leads to the former Templar Commandery before crossing woods and fields towards the Essonne and Saint-Martin Church in Malesherbes.

Taking place almost entirely in the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park, this stage follows the course of the Essonne river for quite a long time, sometimes on the right bank, sometimes on the left bank. The only section through fields is when leaving Buno-Bonnevaux. The rest of the route is unique in that it runs through woodland, with some parts reminiscent of the Forest of Fontainebleau with pine trees, sandstone outcrops and sandy areas. This hike can be divided into four sections as it passes not far from the stations of Boigneville, Buno-Gironville and Maisse.

Over 500 km long and with more than 4,000 m of elevation gain, this hike is accessible to everyone if broken down into several stages. Beautiful, rural and fairly close to Paris, it is suitable for anyone who wants to try their hand at hiking. There are many points of interest along this route. History and heritage enthusiasts, as well as nature lovers, will find something to enjoy.