Grand'Landes walks

Enjoyable walk in the countryside along the La Vie river.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the seaside, the peaceful Lac du Gué Gorand is perfect for a lovely stroll along the water's edge. The dam, which was filled in 1990, is used to irrigate 400 hectares of farmland and the Fontenelles golf course.

Walk through landscaped and natural areas, along ponds, pools and rivers, enjoying remarkable diversity in the middle of a peaceful village. Along the route, you may spot grey herons, kingfishers, great spotted woodpeckers and more.

A beautiful hike around Lac du Jaunay, an unmissable destination in the Pays des Achards. It is a preserved and protected natural area covering 114 hectares. The starting point is at La Baudrière. The route runs along both banks and crosses the dam next to the water plant near La Savarière.

Check out this beautiful trail completes a circuit around "Lac du Jaunay”. It is a quiet and wonderful place for nature lovers.

A circular loop through the bocage and the town's parks, combining the great outdoors with an urban environment and preserved biodiversity. Along this route, you can admire the château in Beaupuy Park, the sunken paths lined with pollarded trees, and the park with its ponds and leisure facilities. The trail markings have been reversed, so start at point 15.

A pleasant and varied route with virtually no elevation gain. After a quick stop at the Saint-Georges wash house, you will appreciate the calm of the lake (Le Bibrou). You will then discover some well-maintained paths in the heart of La Mothe-Achard, which are often overlooked. The Auzance, the Château du Plessis, a remarkable oak tree that competed in a national competition for the most beautiful oak trees in 2020, etc., are just some of the surprises that we hope will delight you.

In the middle of the Pâtis, a hike that can be done in all seasons. The name of this hike came from my imagination as I took the "grand Pâtis" path, which is outside the route. The routes are created by hikers. A pâtis is an uncultivated meadow or cattle pasture.

From La Roche-sur-Yon to Venansault, along shaded paths through meadows, woods and streams. From town to countryside in just a few steps...

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.

A tour around the artificial lake of Moulin Papon, on foot or by bike.

A varied route, with some beautiful residences in the Vendée countryside. Starting from La Roche-sur-Yon, discover a route with small hamlets, a few beautiful residences, small roads and paths shaded by hedges. But also Venansault with its lakes and secret passages, far from noisy, busy roads. This short route allows you to stroll without being disturbed by traffic on the main roads.

This loop follows a historic path and takes you past some extraordinary plants in the vegetable garden of the same name. A loop through the bocage, surrounded by meadows and hedges, this route does not present any particular difficulties. However, be careful at roundabouts and on main roads with heavy traffic.

A cycle route to discover the countryside around La Roche-sur-Yon, among hedgerows, ponds and rivers.

A route to discover the large Rivoli Urban Park (5), in the shade of the trees, in a preserved biodiversity, and the Moulin Papon Lake dam (10). This lake is used to supply drinking water to the town of La Roche-sur-Yon. The water treatment plant can be seen from the dam. Seagulls and cormorants can be seen on the lake, and from the shore it is not uncommon to spot kingfishers, swallows and swifts in flight. In summer, leisure facilities are available for young and old alike.

A short but surprising route that takes you to the small valley of La Tinouze, a green corridor teeming with biodiversity. There are numerous educational panels dotted around La Tinouze, so keep your eyes peeled.

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.

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.

A small corner of the valley that is still wild! The Yon, still modest, is mostly only visible through the trees, but what vegetation! It is a visual and auditory delight, with birds accompanying us all the way.

The sound of waves crashing on the beaches, the smell of salt air and invigorating sea breezes: this is what you can expect on this hike, which follows the coastline as closely as possible.