Moulay walks

The towpath proves to be a veritable observatory of biodiversity. As you wander along, the landscapes change around every bend and take on a variety of colours depending on the season. A quick wave, a brief “hello” – these little encounters punctuate this peaceful and relaxing walk.

Fontaine-Daniel, with its picturesque village and beautiful lake, is one of the best-known places in the Mayenne area, but there is only one busy road to get there and the hiking opportunities around it are limited. This route, which can be done by bike or on foot in a day, connects the town to the village via a greenway through the town of Mayenne, then crosses the rolling countryside of Saint-Georges-Buttavent. It also covers a large part of the Salair forest near Fontaine-Daniel. To shorten the route, you can skip Mayenne and start elsewhere to make a loop around Fontaine-Daniel.

Starting from the centre of Jublains, this walk will allow you to discover the Gallo-Roman remains of the town as well as the Chapel of Doucé.

A walk starting from Jublains to explore the sunken paths to the north-east of the town. Please note that in winter the paths are particularly wet. The very pretty Doucé Chapel is well worth a visit in the charming hamlet of the same name. Please note: the path is particularly wet in winter.

A short route along the sunken paths of the small village of Sacé, passing by the River Mayenne.

A walk starting from Sacé, alternating between sunken paths and a stroll along the towpath.

This route gives pride of place to the River Mayenne, following its course for over four kilometres. As you travel upstream, you will pass five lock-and-dam complexes, some of which are linked to a small power station.

The Lac de Haute Mayenne, artificially created by the Saint-Fraimbault dam, will charm you with its rich and varied flora and fauna. But this route will also allow you to discover the confluence of two rivers that feed into the Mayenne: the Varenne and the Colmont.

A short detour to Rochefort, a charming hamlet on the banks of the Mayenne, is highly recommended to admire the river. You can quench your thirst at La Guinguette before continuing your journey.

This 15 km route will take you through the magnificent sunken lanes of Hambers. It is ideal for all nature lovers: on foot, by bike, or even on horseback! This route is marked "No. 24" on the yellow directional signs.

This route will take you along pretty sunken paths and up into the hills. It is signposted with yellow directional signs: No. 38 – on the Crêtes d’Hambers. You can combine this route with No. 24 – the Hambers circular route.

Visit Andouillé and its countryside with its gentle hills and cross the Ernée via its stepping stones.

There are only two old mills, no longer in operation, on this route, but it will also allow you to explore the woods and moors of the Gastinais region.

How about setting off on a walk from a peaceful pond, heading towards ancient hamlets? Here, nature shows you its best side, and you’ll discover magnificent views. This 17 km route is suitable for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers and is signposted “No. 21” on the yellow directional signs.

Accessible by train from Neau station (where there is also a car park), the route allows you to explore the Coëvrons countryside, the village of Neau and its church decorated with medieval frescoes (open daily), and the Château de la Grande Courbe, open to the public in July and during Heritage Days. Most of the route follows quiet roads and paths through the bocage.

Set entirely in woodland, this walk is suitable for everyone.

This 20.5 km route invites you to linger over the beautiful granite architecture of the village of Mézangers and its superb Château du Rocher, to walk around the Étang du Gué de Selle pond while observing the rich surrounding flora and fauna, to cross the Bois d'Hermet woods and even take an ancient path. This route is marked "No. 25" on the yellow directional signs.

The Mayenne: first and foremost, it is a river 200 km long that has given its name to a town from which it is navigable, as well as to a department (53). You’ll begin by exploring the countryside along a path through the scrub, then along so-called ‘traverse’ paths – some unpaved, some tarmacked – with views over the Vallon des Merveilles, before reaching the river as it cuts through the granite at Moulin Oger and then a deep gorge formed by two sandstone escarpments.

A very pleasant walk to rediscover the Mayenne countryside, between sunken paths, wooded areas, fields of cows and crops.

A very lovely walk in the Buttes d’Hardanges, a Sensitive Natural Area, between the villages of Ribay and Hardanges. This former military zone is now a true haven of peace and offers a vast array of natural meadows, wet heathland, dry heathland, peat bogs and valley floors.

A walk through the ages, surrounded by nature. You’ll discover reproductions of Impressionist works by Ludovic Piette and Camille Pissarro, as well as megaliths including the Menhir de la Pierre Robert and a dolmen. Finally, the beautiful Bignon manor house and its hamlet.

In the northern Mayenne countryside, Lassay-les-Châteaux is a small town that is well worth a visit. As you walk along the surrounding paths, a few signposts invite you to follow in the footsteps of Lancelot through meadows, forests and the remains of three castles. An easy walk on well-maintained paths and a few country roads.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful walks in the Lassay-les-Châteaux area. Lots of sunken paths, some woodland and a stream.

A superb circular walk starting from the ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ of Lassay-les-Châteaux, voted France’s third favourite village in 2023. 94 per cent dirt tracks and some wonderful heritage sites to discover along the way: Lassay Castle, Bois Thibault Castle and the ruins of Bois Frou.An interpretative trail based on the legend of Lancelot du Lac enhances this route with several stops featuring information panels on themes from Arthurian legend. The Château de Bois Thibault, open during the tourist season (weekends and public holidays only), features a magnificent round table and a comic strip depicting the legend of the famous knight Lancelot.