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Machecoul walks
La Chaume Abbey
Visorando Member
4.62 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
As you walk, you’ll be treated to a variety of landscapes: market gardens, woodland, sandy paths and grassy tracks, as well as some unusual sites steeped in history. La Chaume Abbey, founded in the 11th century, has had a very turbulent history; the trapezium-shaped Merovingian sarcophagi in the cemetery, carved from La Chaume limestone; and finally, the 19th-century racecourse.
Les Hauts du Treil
5.08 mi
+62 ft
-59 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
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.
The marsh
5.64 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
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.
Machecoul Forest from Saint-Même-le-Tenu
6.50 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Saint-Même-le-Tenu (Loire-Atlantique)
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.
The Fresnay Marsh
4.34 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Fresnay-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Until the 10th century, the sea bordered the village of Fresnay, then gradually receded, leaving behind a marsh that you can explore on this walk.
The hills above Saint-Cyr-en-Retz
3.84 mi
+79 ft
-79 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Bourgneuf-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the hedgerow countryside of the Pays de Retz with views over the Breton marshes. Starting from the orientation table, take a walk through the hedgerow countryside and return via the village, where you can discover one of the most beautiful churches in the Loire-Atlantique.
Route of three villages starting from the Garnache communal forest
4.42 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from La Garnache (Vendée)
This walk is suitable in all seasons. Just one thing to bear in mind for the first four hundred metres: avoid the ruts left by farm machinery on the forest track in wet weather.
Marshes, storks and ancient abbey on Île Chauvet
4.17 mi
+3 ft
-3 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Bois-de-Céné (Vendée)
A short walk in the heart of the marsh. Depending on the season, you may see storks, shelducks, ibises and all kinds of wading birds. The walk starts on the cycle path towards Bouin, and after the hamlet of Mon Désir, the return journey is via the stork trail.
Route des Marais de Grand-Lieu to Saint-Mars-de-Coutais
4.68 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Saint-Mars-de-Coutais (Loire-Atlantique)
During this walk, you’ll pass meadows, vineyards and forests lined with pollarded trees. Halfway along the route, you’ll pass through Bois Joli, which certainly lives up to its name. The icing on the cake is the finale in the marshes, on the edge of Lac de Grand-Lieu. Wildlife, flora and landscapes to discover: a complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
Depending on the season, you’ll walk along sandy paths lined with ditches and meadows grazed by cattle in summer and much loved by birds all year round.
The Templars’ Route in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons
9.69 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons (Loire-Atlantique)
This walk will take you through a rural landscape of vast fields and meadows, surrounded by beautiful hedgerows. Lovely paths lined with oak, ash or willow trees will lead you from hamlet to hamlet. Here and there, majestic wind turbines will remind you that you’re in the wind. Make the most of it.
Around Port du Collet
7.82 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Les Moutiers-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
A seaside walk starting from the small Port du Collet, formed by the estuary of a coastal river between the Loire Atlantique and the Vendée
It first follows a small winding road through the Marais Breton marshes, where you can observe numerous wild birds, including swans, geese, ducks, egrets and other marsh wildlife. It then runs along the coast, between the dunes and the beach, with magnificent views of the island of Noirmoutier, Bourgneuf Bay and its fishing grounds.
From Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé
1.05 mi
+3 ft
-10 ft
0h 30
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
A pleasant walk through the marshes from Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé, the only windmill to have been in continuous operation since 1560.
In the footsteps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine
4.87 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
Circular on the steps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine and the surrounding area. This walk takes you to the Moulin de Rairé mill.
The Great Wading Bird Trail starting from Port Hamoneau
5.08 mi
+49 ft
-52 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Port-Saint-Père (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike starts at Port Hamoneau in Brains on the banks of the Acheneau, then crosses the Marais du Cheval and the Marais de la Guerche.
The Wild Boar Trail in Legé
8.30 mi
+108 ft
-108 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Legé (Loire-Atlantique) (Loire-Atlantique)
This is an uneventful trail, with a bit of road, often wooded paths and the forest nearby.
At the start, enjoy the magnificent lakes and their beautiful reflections. The return path offers a bird’s-eye view of the site.
Along the Guerche marsh
3.76 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Brains (Loire-Atlantique)
This route crosses the Guerche marshes and the return route takes you via the Croix du Bignon.
Quai des Romains in Pont Saint-Martin
6.75 mi
+36 ft
-33 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from Loire-Atlantique
This circuit follows the Ognon, which feeds into the Lac de Grand Lieu, located a few kilometres to the west. You can find more information on the Pont Saint-Martin hiking website.
Exploring La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau
4.87 mi
+164 ft
-167 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
This partly urban route takes you through the town centres of La Montagne and Saint-Jean-de-Boiseau. It offers the chance to explore little-known neighbourhoods, alleyways and narrow lanes on the outskirts.
La Montagne and La Roche Ballue with return via Bois du Brossais
5.81 mi
+141 ft
-138 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
A pleasant, mostly shaded walk. Depending on the season, especially the vegetation, the Roche Ballue viewpoints offer beautiful panoramic views.
The Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château du Pé, walking along the Île Pivin
6.92 mi
+138 ft
-144 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the Hermitage of Saint-Hermeland and the Château de Pé whilst strolling along the banks of the Loire.
From La Roche Ballue to La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe
4.60 mi
+197 ft
-190 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Circular route passing by the site of the old Roche Ballue quarry and the village of La Matrasserie, starting from La Mothe.
Bouguenais, its valley, its banks of the Loire, its picturesque villages
7.44 mi
+187 ft
-167 ft
3h 35
Easy
Departure from Bouguenais (Loire-Atlantique)
Discover unspoilt nature south of the Nantes conurbation. A circuit that winds along a stream and the Loire, through marshes and over the heights of the Roche Ballue quarry. You will discover Nantes and its conurbation. You will pass through picturesque little villages in unspoilt countryside.