GRP® Along the Èvre and the Hyrôme

This circular walking route offers a unique and refreshing experience, combining nature, rivers and heritage. As it winds through the valleys of the Èvre and the Hyrôme, the path follows the meandering waterways, sometimes taking you right alongside the river, and at other times leading you higher up to take in idyllic panoramic views. Throughout the route, the rural landscape reveals itself in all its diversity:unspoilt hedgerows, shady woodlands, windmills and watermills;small-scale local heritage, charming villages, and even the highest point in Anjou punctuate the journey. A true journey on foot through the heart of a vibrant and authentic region, where every bend in the path offers a new glimpse into the natural and cultural riches of the Mauges.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   From Chalonnes-sur-Loire to Beaulieu-sur-Layon

   10.17 mi 466 ft 456 ft

   Set amongst the banks of the Loire, the GR®3 trail and the Layon valley, this stage offers spectacular views of the rivers, all punctuated by local heritage sites against a backdrop of vineyards characteristic of the Anjou region.

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2. 2

   Beaulieu-sur-Layon – Chemillé

   14.68 mi 738 ft 541 ft

   Stage Two.Leaving the Layon Valley behind for that of the Hyrôme, this stage follows the river as closely as possible, taking in its old watermills and castles, amidst a peaceful, shaded setting. The murmur of the water accompanies walkers through hedgerows, footbridges and sunken paths. As you approach Chemillé, a visit to the Jardin Camifolia extends your immersion in the realm of plants.

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3. 3

   Chemillé - Le May-sur-Èvre

   17.10 mi 689 ft 712 ft

   Stage Three.This stage marks the transition between the Hyrôme and the Èvre, inviting walkers to traverse a more open landscape, punctuated by country lanes through the heart of farmland. During the first part of the route, the silhouette of Notre-Dame-des-Gardes Abbey looms on the horizon, guiding the traveller’s steps and highlighting the region’s characteristic landscape. This stretch, which feels like a transition between two worlds, unfolds peacefully before returning to the more secluded and intimate atmosphere of the banks of the Èvre.

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4. 4

   From May-sur-Èvre to Beaupréau

   17.05 mi 741 ft 823 ft

   The route continues as you leave the village of Le May-sur-Èvre and head into a valley where time seems to have stood still, amidst hedgerow-lined meadows and shaded riverbanks. From chapels to castles, various points of interest punctuate your journey.

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5. 5

   Beaupréau – Montrevault

   12.88 mi 978 ft 1,076 ft

   Stage Five.The route climbs, offering superb panoramic views over the wooded valleys. The path then descends towards the River Èvre: winding its way along towpaths and steep sections, the route follows the course of the river and past old mills all the way to Montrevault.

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6. 6

   From Montrevault to Saint-Florent-le-Vieil

   17.02 mi 1,286 ft 1,319 ft

   This stop marks the end of an 80-kilometre journey along the River Èvre. Amidst rugged terrain, magnificent panoramas and sites steeped in history, the landscape gradually opens up and becomes more expansive. The journey then takes on a new dimension: the intimacy of the river gives way to the solemn grandeur of the Loire.

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7. 7

   From Saint-Florent-le-Vieil to La Pommeraye

   12.04 mi 722 ft 482 ft

   Stage Seven. Setting off from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, the route joins the legendary GR®3, the first signposted Grande Randonnée® trail in France. More unobtrusive here, sometimes set back from the river, the path invites you to explore the landscapes of the Loire from a more intimate perspective. Amidst hillsides, hamlets and sunken lanes, the river is more sensed than seen.

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8. E

   From La Pommeraye to Chalonnes-sur-Loire

   7.09 mi 574 ft 781 ft

   Towards the end of the circular GR® de Pays route, the path plunges into the heart of the Vallée des Moulins, sometimes climbing higher, sometimes winding along its base, before leading you back to the Loire and its scenic landscapes, revealing in particular the Île de Chalonnes over the final few kilometres of your walk.

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