Refine your search for walks in Les Mathes
Les Mathes walks
Circular route around La Palmyre and its magnificent zoo
Visorando Member
4.89 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Les Mathes (Charente-Maritime)
A pleasant and easy circular walk exploring La Palmyre and its magnificent zoo, one of the finest and largest parks in France, home to 1,600 animals from every continent. After this short walk, don’t miss out on a visit to the zoo.
A circular route through the wild section of the Coubre National Forest
8.98 mi
+492 ft
-482 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
You will be walking between points (2) and (7), running close to the boundary of a private hunting reserve. With a bit of luck, you may spot some large game, but of course you cannot enter the reserve.
At the Tour du Gardour, a former navigation mark, you can enjoy a view of the ocean; a little further on, there is a lovely panorama of the southern tip of Île d’Oléron and the Pertuis de Maumusson.
Beach, dunes and forest around La Coubre Lighthouse
8.38 mi
+66 ft
-36 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
This circular loop around the Coubre Lighthouse on the Tremblade coast offers varied landscapes: walking along the Côte Sauvage beach, between the dunes and Bonne Anse Bay, and in the Coubre Forest. The Visorando app is recommended.
The marshes of Mornac-sur-Seudre
3.75 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Mornac-sur-Seudre (Charente-Maritime)
A delightful, easy walk to discover the marshes surrounding the picturesque village of Mornac-sur-Seudre.
Forest, beach and fishing huts in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
8.76 mi
+167 ft
-174 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer (Charente-Maritime)
The first part of the circular path is in the Forêt des Combots d'Ansoine, followed by a walk along the beach and then along a coastal path dotted with numerous fishing huts and passing by the Puits de l'Auture, a natural curiosity worth discovering.
Mornac-sur-Seudre interpretive trail
2.10 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
1h 00
Easy
Departure from Mornac-sur-Seudre (Charente-Maritime)
Discover a typical oyster-farming village on a trail lined with numerous information panels, allowing you to stroll through the village, then walk alongside the many colourful oyster farmers' huts to finally reach the Seudre.
Vasselot Coastal Dune Circular Loop
5.37 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)
The first part of the hike is on the beach, along the edge of a shifting dune, sometimes on old sections of the Coubre coastal forest, returning via a path through the undergrowth.The Visorando app is highly recommended (to locate (2) in particular).
The grand tour of Marennes, between fresh water and salt water
9.08 mi
+39 ft
-49 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Marennes (Charente-Maritime)
A walk between land and sea, following in the footsteps of the ghost trains of an old railway line.
The tour of Pointe de Gatseau and Pertuis de Maumusson
3.11 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 25
Easy
Departure from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)
This short 5 km circular takes you around Pointe de Gatseau, the southernmost point of the Île d'Oléron, and allows you to discover the wild Pertuis de Maumusson (passage between the island and the mainland), which is only accessible on foot or by mini train during the season
Taillée du Pas de la Vache
5.84 mi
+43 ft
-43 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Just-Luzac (Charente-Maritime)
Circular through the former salt marshes of Saint-Just-Luzac
The southern tip of the Île d'Oléron, starting from Saint-Trojan
10.15 mi
+79 ft
-79 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)
A circular walk that takes you from the village of Saint-Trojan to explore the national forest, the wild Atlantic coast with the impressive Maumusson channel, and Gatseau Bay. A complete panorama to discover this southern tip of the Île d’Oléron, far from the cars and crowds on the beaches.Please note: To walk easily on the hard sand between (4) and (5), you must check the tide times (see the Practical Information section)
Saint-Trojan-les-Bains on the Île d'Oléron
10.33 mi
+52 ft
-52 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)
The commune of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains is located at the south-western tip of the Île d'Oléron, bathed by the Pertuis de Maumusson and the Coureau d'Oléron.
Its large sandy beaches, pine forest, mimosa trees and mild climate make Saint-Trojan-les-Bains a very popular seaside resort.
From Vallières beach to Suzac beach
4.06 mi
+144 ft
-154 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne (Charente-Maritime)
The Vallières and Suzac headlands mark the ends of the long beach at Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. First skirting the former, you pass by the lighthouse that makes the place so photogenic. Then, after a long walk from one end of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne beach to the other, you reach Suzac Point, which is much wilder. The destination of the walk is Suzac beach, a little gem nestled between two points.
Around Ors and its oyster channel at Château-d'Oléron
4.67 mi
+13 ft
-10 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Le Château-d'Oléron (Charente-Maritime)
Walk around the village of Ors, its oyster channel and Grésillon.
Ors was the arrival and departure point for tourists during the heyday of the ferry (1945–1966) until the viaduct was built (1966). Traffic jams are guaranteed in the narrow, winding streets!
Stunning views of the Oléron viaduct and the old Ors jetty, which linked the mainland to the port of Chapus in Bourcefranc.
Vert Bois beach and Grande Plage on the Île d'Oléron
6.88 mi
+20 ft
-23 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Le Grand-Village-Plage (Charente-Maritime)
Circular coastal loop on the west coast of Île d'Oléron. The first part is in the Saint-Trojan National Forest, followed by a long walk on the beach, before a final stretch in the forest. Visorando app recommended.
From Brouage to Hiers
6.69 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Hiers-Brouage (Charente-Maritime)
A circular starting from the citadel of Brouage takes you through the marsh to Hiers.If you are quiet enough along the route, you will be able to see herons, egrets, nutria and, in summer, storks up close.Most of the route follows tarmaced marsh roads that are very quiet.
The ramparts of Brouage
1.25 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
0h 35
Easy
Departure from Hiers-Brouage (Charente-Maritime)
Set off to explore Brouage!
Saint-Georges-de-Didonne - the caves - Meschers
9.30 mi
+318 ft
-302 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne (Charente-Maritime)
A very pleasant walk with magnificent scenery. You will pass along fine sandy beaches, close to magnificent fishing huts and sumptuous limestone cliffs in which real troglodyte cities have been carved out (Regulus and Matata caves). A visit to the seaside resort of Meschers will precede your return through the Suzac forest.⚠️ 16/04/2025: Route modified on the hike sheet due to passage through private property.
The Fort and Forest of Suzac
5.10 mi
+141 ft
-131 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne (Charente-Maritime)
A walk beneath the holm oaks of the coastal path, high on the cliffs overlooking the mouth of the Gironde estuary, through the Suzac Forest and past the beaches of Meschers-sur-Gironde or Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. Along the way, the remains of the Atlantic Wall; offshore, the famous Cordouan lighthouse, the ‘Versailles of the sea’, and to the right as you look towards the estuary, views of Royan and Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.