The marshes of Île d'Olonne

A very pleasant walk in the Île d'Olonne Marshes Nature Reserve. You are likely to see herons and other species.

Details

4582204
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the church square.

(S/E) Follow Rue des Marais, keeping the church on your right. At the end of the street, turn right and then immediately left.

(1) Turn left to enter the marshes and join theGR®8.

(2) Turn left and follow the signs.

(3) Cross the road and the Pont de Champlou bridge and continue to follow theGR®8.

(4) When you leave the marshes, take the path on the right in front of the housing estates.

(5) Cross Route des Aires at the overpass and continue straight ahead on Chemin des Barbes. Pass the Bois Soleil campsite.

(6) Shortly after the campsite, rejoin theGR®8and the Vélodyssée cycle route. Continue straight on to La Quenouillerie.

(7) Turn right to return to the marshes. Follow theGR®8and leave the Vélodyssée cycle route.

(8) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the turn-off on the left. Cross the Pont de la Salaire bridge.

(9) Turn right onto the road (Rue des Mouettes) and continue to La Borderie.

(10) Ignore the streets on the right and left and turn onto Chemin de Roche Pie opposite. At the end, turn right onto Impasse des Belous and follow the road to Rue des Fossardières.

(11) Turn left, then keep right at the crossroads.

(12) Return to the marshes by turning right.

(13) Leave theGR®8by turning left towards the houses. Cross between the houses, continue along the path and then turn left. Cross the D87 (Chemin de Ceinture) and continue straight ahead to return to the church and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Église Saint-Martin-de-Vertou (L'Île-d'Olonne)
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 2 m - Entrance to the marsh
  3. 2 : km 0.68 - alt. 3 m - GR®8
  4. 3 : km 1.48 - alt. 4 m - Pont de Champclou
  5. 4 : km 3.18 - alt. 4 m - Housing estate
  6. 5 : km 3.9 - alt. 4 m - Route des Aires
  7. 6 : km 5.17 - alt. 4 m - GR®8 and Vélodyssée
  8. 7 : km 6.05 - alt. 5 m - Return to the marshes
  9. 8 : km 8.2 - alt. 2 m - Junction
  10. 9 : km 8.7 - alt. 3 m - Pont de la Salaire - Vertonne (rivière)
  11. 10 : km 9.51 - alt. 3 m - La Borderie
  12. 11 : km 10.26 - alt. 8 m - Rue des Fossardières
  13. 12 : km 10.66 - alt. 2 m - Return to the marsh
  14. 13 : km 12.92 - alt. 2 m - Leaving the GR®8
  15. S/E : km 13.72 - alt. 6 m - Église Saint-Martin-de-Vertou (L'Île-d'Olonne)

Notes

(12) It is possible to shorten the hike by continuing along the road.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Frédogab
Frédogab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Simply brilliant

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A comprehensive itinerary for exploring the salt marshes, offering a change from the seaside and the chance to spot the many wading birds that come here to feed.
No problem following the route with GPS.

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marco 85
marco 85

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, it's easier to park at point 1. It's a beautiful route but very exposed to the sun, so as always, be prepared. It's a pleasant walk where you can see marsh birds such as avocets, black-tailed godwits and herons if you're lucky, as well as many others. We were lucky enough to enjoy a photo exhibition at the start and end of the route, which includes a long stretch of tarmac but is necessary to complete a circular route. It is particularly busy at weekends and in July and August.

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GOGO
GOGO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk in a completely different environment. There is a bit too much tarmac for our liking, but you have to do a circular route, the hike.
We were lucky enough to enjoy a superb photo exhibition at the start and end of the route.

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martinepoup
martinepoup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On the day we did this route, we met only a few people.

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Coyotte85
Coyotte85

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Suggestions:
Park at Point 1, where there is a car park. The car park at the church square is very busy.
At Point 7, there is no longer a right turn to go towards the marsh.
This route would benefit from special signage (yellow, blue, etc.).

A very beautiful route, especially the parts through the marsh.

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nakety
nakety

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I didn't understand all the initial information but quickly found the route (GR8) in the marsh.
A very beautiful route, but best avoided on hot days, even if you set off early, as it is very exposed.
Thank you to the editors.

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ROISNE
ROISNE

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, a change of scenery from the coast.
Unfortunately, we didn't see many birds, but we had a great time with friends.
The only downside was that there was a bit too much tarmac.

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Daniel Thin
Daniel Thin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in the Olonne marshes on a lovely summer's day. The route is very clearly marked and it's impossible to get lost. We spent over five hours in the marshes, but only because we took a long time photographing the many birds along the way. A very good route that must be interesting in all seasons.

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quentin91420
quentin91420

Hello, is this route suitable for cycling?

Thank you in advance and have a nice day.

Quentin

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Ede77
Ede77

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route. Delighted to have discovered this other side of the Vendée coast.
The historical commentary along the route adds to the interest.

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Domidesulis
Domidesulis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you to the person who posted this route.

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TheClerck
TheClerck

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is also frequented by many electric mountain bikers, which is a shame for the tranquillity.

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