Ile-de-France walks

A walk of many faces! On forest tracks interspersed with paths through the city, you follow an old railway line with a tunnel and viaduct, finishing along the course of the river Yvette. A walk to enjoy at any time of year.

As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer. N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.

A beautiful hike to discover the beautiful sights of the Chevreuse valley: the Chatillonmill, the castle of Dampierre, the blacksmith’s, the villages of Fourcherolles, Senlisse and Choisel, Méridon castle, the village of Chevreuse and its small bridges along the Yvette, and Château de la Madeleine.

A heritage walk in a bucolic setting, in the heart of the Hurepoix. Climb the Butte de Saint-Yon and the Bois des Roches, follow the Orge and Renarde rivers, and discover the charming church of Saint-Yon and the superb church of Saint-Sulpice.

In the footsteps of Jean Racine, in places steeped in history. A walk through a variety of environments, between forests, meadows and cultivated fields, with a lovely view of the ancient Abbey of Port-Royal des Champs.

The first part of this walk alternates between woodland and fields. The return journey is through undergrowth, along the former railway line that used to link Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and Limours.

A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.

At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.

It's a very varied walk, combining nature, culture, history, tourism and curiosities. All of which means you won't miss a mile. And if you're lucky enough to do it in good weather, you'll come home feeling like you've just been on holiday.

A course over hills, with beautiful views of the Massif des Trois Pignons. Passages on platières in the middle of the moor with an unobstructed view, interspersed with passages in undergrowth and amid boulders. A varied, rather sporty hike. N.B. The drop is probably underestimated: expect something more in the order of 300 metres.

A walk on the hillsides on both banks of the Juine, alternating between cultivated fields and undergrowth. You'll discover a rich heritage along the way, including a dolmen, castle, old mill, farm buildings and beautiful houses.

This hike mostly takes place along the Yerres, a tributary of the Seine, and also includes a section in the Forest of Senart and an urban section. There you can enjoy the charm of this river and the beautiful houses around it, admire two ancient watermills and come cross no fewer than four standing stones along the way.

A very varied hike that combines: - Regional Forest of the Roche-Guyon, - A beautiful, quiet valley, - The town of La Roche and its castle, - and finally, a scenic route overlooking the Seine.

An unsuspected corner of wild nature, just twenty kilometres from Paris. In the Parc Départemental des Côtes de Montbron, the Ru de Saint-Marc and three ponds are home to a variety of flora and numerous birds. A short walk for nature lovers! 15/11/2024: A landslide has been reported just past the point (6) and it seems impossible to get through at the moment.

A short half-day walk. After a good walk through the woods, the route becomes more heritage-oriented with the hamlet of Vauboyen and the Maison Victor Hugo. The walk ends along the River Bièvre.

At the confluence of the Marne, Ourcq and Thérouanne rivers, the ponds and reed beds of the Grand Voyeux regional estate are home to a huge number of birds. The walk begins on the observation path of this protected natural site. It then hops along the River Thérouanne, along the Canal de L'Ourcq and the Canal de la Thérouanne, and ends along the Marne. Water and birds are the main attractions on this route!

A hike from station to station with a water theme! In the Parc Naturel de la Haute Vallée de Chevreuse and then in the Forêt de Rambouillet, a pleasant route, mostly shaded, along ponds, small canals and a charming river, the Drouette.

A varied walk, combining the rich heritage of Bruyères-le-Châtel with an original route along the paths of this commune, and a path through the forest, between the fields or along a vast stretch of water.

Fontainebleau forest is one of the most beautiful French forests thanks to its varied landscapes and, in particular, its sandstone blocks. This hike circles the Apremont gorges along the Colinet-Denecourt path N°6 and lets you enjoy it in all its beauty and fragility, the latter due both to natural erosion and human use, and is near the Paris region.

From the Ermitage de Franchard, this is a very varied hike which will take you past old sandstone quarries, the Gorges du Houx and the charming Mare aux Pigeons. On the route are several vast viewing points, numerous spectacular rocks and the curious Grotte du Serment cave. N.B. The elevation and the time shown appear to be under-estimated: count on about 250 meters and 4 hours of walking.

Starting from an old retreat which has been visited since the 11th century, this hike allows you to explore the Gorges de Franchard and the surrounding areas. Winding through rocks and several rock shelters such as the well-known Antre des Druides. N.B. The difference in altitude is probably higher than stated: roughly 100 metres and a 2 hour walk.

A lovely walk among ponds, marshes and, above all, birds, ducks, etc., lasting 4½ to 5 hours, or longer if you stop to watch the birds on the ponds.

In the heart of the Forêt de Rambouillet, a walk tinged with fern and heather, to discover a Neolithic dolmen and a charming valley along a stream.

At the confluence of two Briard rivers, this is a bucolic hike that alternates between woodland and fields with short passages through small villages.

Between ponds, oak forests, pine forests and birch woods, this is a beautiful hike in the north of the Rambouillet Forest. A varied route in a peaceful setting.

A green loop around the ponds of Moulin à Renard, La Minière, Val d'Or and La Geneste in the Bièvre valley, with an optional detour to admire the Arcades de Buc.

This hike passes through the villages of Auvers-sur-Oise, Valmondois and Butry-sur-Oise, alternating between countryside and the banks of the Oise. All these places have provided numerous subjects for landscape painters, notably Dupré, Daubigny and Pissarro, precursors of the Impressionists. Even today, visitors are struck by the charm of this region in all seasons.

Discover the Domaine de Rentilly with its three distinct landscaped areas: the English-style park, the French-style perspective and the forest, then continue your hike through the agricultural lands of the Vallon de Bussy-Saint-Martin, passing by the Broce and Loy ponds.

In the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Natural Park, this hike alternates between forest paths and small roads through meadows and woods, revealing a rich heritage including the Fontaine Sainte-Anne, which was a place of pilgrimage for many years.

You pass by the Etang d'Ursine, a nameless pond, then the Etang du Trou aux Gants, before reaching the Chêne des Missions, a remarkable tree surrounded by pseudo-megaliths. This route starts in the Mare Adam forest park and continues through the Meudon National Forest, with a brief detour into a pretty residential area. Allow half a day for this walk.

The Massif des Trois Pignons is situated on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. The walk takes you past the Rocher des Guetteurs, the Sables du Cul du Chien, the Diplodocus, and the Rocher de la Tortue.

Depart from the Maison Forestière de Maintenon for a 16 km walk.

Loop starting from Chérence. The Seine, troglodyte dwellings and gliders. Pass through the Coteaux de la Seine reserve, which is closed for nesting from 1 March to 30 June.

A mainly forest route which, as it winds its way through villages, passes no fewer than four castles dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

A short but challenging hike in a small departmental forest with a diversity of landscapes worthy of its larger neighbour, Fontainebleau: varied undergrowth, rocky outcrops and climbing boulders, old sandstone quarries, flat rock formations, viewpoints, etc.

A loop in the heart of Fontainebleau: a magnificent poetic pond, venerable oak trees, four viewpoints, memories of revolutionary battles, a cave, a chasm, sandstone cliffs... and plenty of peace and quiet.

A route mainly through forest, with some remarkable trees and a beautiful pond, and a heritage detour through the hamlet of Loireux.

A hike on the slopes of both banks of the Viosne, alternating between cultivated fields, woodland and charming villages. For about 3 kilometres, the route follows the course of an ancient Roman road, the Chaussée Jules César. There is a rich heritage to discover along the way: mills, a castle, churches, crosses, wash houses and beautiful houses.

This hike will take you from castle to castle in the Chevreuse Valley: Coubertin, Méridon, Breteuil, Dampierre and La Madeleine. You will also discover Chevreuse, its small bridges and its Saint-Martin Church (with its remarkable ambulatory) and the surrounding countryside. The hike can start from Chevreuse or from the RER B station at Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (departure and return details in italics). In this case, add 2 km to the length of the hike.

The French Vexin region has numerous megalithic sites dating from the late third millennium B.C. This walk gives you the chance to visit a dolmen in a perfect state of preservation. As you stroll through the fields and woods, you will also be able to see some lovely churches and castles.

A circuit with varied landscapes, in the Verrières forest and along the Bièvre river. A breath of fresh air and greenery just a few kilometres from the capital.

The Rocher des Princes is a medium-difficulty loop in the pretty Fontainebleau Forest. It alternates between fairly steep climbs and descents with flat paths, allowing you to rest between the difficult sections.

This hike explores part of the hydraulic network built during the reign of Louis XIV to supply water to the Palace of Versailles. After a very pleasant walk along the Vieille-Eglise Aqueduct and through the Bois des Vindrins, the trail continues through cultivated plains alongside small irrigation channels.

A half-day walk, mainly in the woods, with a beautiful pond and the vast lawn of the Domaine de Beauregard.

The Carnelle National Forest is a forest located on a hill 25 km north of Paris. Its summit (altitude 210 m) is one of the highest points in the Val d'Oise. The variety of its landscapes makes it one of the most pleasant sites in the region. This hike follows part of the northern flank of the forest, allowing you to discover some interesting features of the forest and its surroundings.

An easy and very pleasant circuit in the Rambouillet forest, passing by the Étangs de Hollande.

A bucolic hike through woods, fields, meadows and gardens, playing leapfrog with the Yerres and Ru de Bréon rivers. Two village crossings and, in Chaumes-en-Brie, a tribute to the musicians of the Couperin family and a farm with surprising architecture in the heart of the Brie region.

The forests of Ferrières and Armainvilliers are contiguous over a very long stretch from east to west. They form the largest wooded area in eastern Paris. It is a single humid forest with very little relief, dotted with ponds. It is renowned for mushroom picking. This hike allows you to discover the tree species that make up the forest: oak (sessile and pedunculate), ash, lime, maple, cherry, service, etc.

A tour of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, including the Swiss Garden and a visit to the King's Kitchen Garden.

Loop starting from the pretty village of Crécy-la-Chapelle. Varied landscapes: fields, forests, villages and river, Grand Morin valley. Picnic in the village of Dammartin-sur-Tigeaux and return along the river.