Vert Bois beach and Grande Plage on the Île d'Oléron

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.

Details

28150059
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 12 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Description of the walk

At Grand-Village Plage, follow Route de la Grande Plage and park in the last car park recessed from the road before the beach access (or at the side of the road). The walk starts from this car park.

Green disc markings

(S/E) Head north-northwest and follow the Yellow Disc/Green Disc marked trail that crosses the car park. Cross the cycle path immediately. Stay on the path through the woods, ignoring the side trails on the left that lead to the beach and those on the right that lead away from it. At a slightly clearer area with cut trees, continue to follow the Green Disc markings to the left and leave the Yellow Disc markings that go to the right. You will arrive at a T-junction, facing a protective fence around the dune.

(1) The markings were missing at this point when we passed through, perhaps because some trees had been cut down. Turn left and then, at the fork that appears shortly afterwards, continue to the right. The green disc markings will reappear soon. Continue along the path through the undergrowth, ignoring any side paths and tracks.

(2) Cross a cycle path and continue straight ahead. At the next intersection of paths, first turn left then right. Near a car park, follow the path that veers to the right and joins the road.

(3) Cross it and continue straight ahead. Further on, cross another cycle path and continue on the path opposite, which gradually approaches the beach. Continue until you find an access point on the left leading to the beach.

No markings

(4) At the end of Vert Bois Beach, on the right, there are low rocks covered with periwinkles. Head south-southeast, walking along Vert Bois Beach for 3.8 km.

(5) Pass directly above the starting car park, without necessarily noticing it, except perhaps that there are more people on the beach, especially surfers. Continue along the beach, now called Grande Plage, for about 1.1 km. Pass directly above the wreck of the Presidente Viera, which may or may not be visible depending on the water level, then head back up the beach to find access to the car and bicycle car parks. Information panel about the wreck of the Presidente Viera. The app is useful here to know when to leave the beach.

Green Disc markings

(6) Follow the green disc markings on this access road. Continue along the car park, either on the marked path on the right or on the cycle path on the left (choice of route). Ignore the side paths until the green disc markings turn left.

(7) Follow this path, which is once again in the woods, ignoring all side paths and trails. Near the Route de la Grande Plage, turn left across the picnic area to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Last car park before beach access.
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 6 m - Trail intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 9 m - Trail/cycle path intersection
  4. 3 : km 2.87 - alt. 9 m - Trail/road intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.69 - alt. 6 m - Vert Bois beach
  6. 5 : km 7.52 - alt. 1 m - Grande Plage
  7. 6 : km 8.8 - alt. 6 m - Access road to the beach
  8. 7 : km 9.37 - alt. 6 m - Cycle path/trail intersection
  9. S/E : km 11.08 - alt. 5 m - Last car park before beach access.

Notes

Difficulty: Moderate to easy. No difficulty on the undergrowth trails, easy walking on the fine sandy beach.
The Visorando app is very useful for knowing when to leave the beach on your return.
Avoid the summer holiday period.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
rdecremps
rdecremps

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

depending on the weather and the time of day, it is preferable to do it in the opposite direction so that you don't get too hot and don't have the sun in your face. With the route recorded, there is no difficulty

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Cs6946
Cs6946

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A good exercise

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GCous
GCous

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, 50% forest, 50% beach, thank you for sharing!
We parked at point No. 3, which has shaded parking spaces, picnic tables and a beautiful beach with no pebbles, even at low tide
We lost track at the beginning, but we took an alternative route: the yellow PR between the path described and the bridle path (marked in blue on the map). Very beautiful forest in this area, and a dirt path (no sand). The forest was so beautiful that we continued to the intersection with the PR route trail (point 16 on the map) and took the beach route.
Total: 11.800 km instead of 11.080 km as described
The forest path to points 2 and 3 is less pleasant (lots of sand)

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Zou48
Zou48

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, combining forest and beach.

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Hervé A
Hervé A
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route that is half beach, half forest, which is what makes it so interesting! There are some beautiful places to discover.

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lionel lamouroux
lionel lamouroux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Depending on the tidal coefficient, the beach is inaccessible at high tide.

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forest17
forest17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The section in the forest is quite shady and pleasant.
Be careful along the sea, as part of the route has been cut off by erosion caused by storms... as has the section along the beach, which is a little too close to the ocean.

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Arolda
Arolda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike combining forest and seaside, pure enjoyment.

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kichou
kichou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route alternating between sandy beaches and pine forests, really lovely!

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phbizet
phbizet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a shame that the downloaded map was dotted with black squares. This isn't the first time this has happened, and it makes it difficult to navigate this beautiful route, which we combined with another Visirando itinerary to make a 20 km walk.
Of course, on this beautiful sunny Sunday, there was lots of activity on the huge beach, with surfers and sunbathers.
There were lots of mosquitoes in the forest, so skin protection is highly recommended.

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Sand et steph
Sand et steph

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a two-and-a-half-hour walk along the beach
It was brilliant!
Part of the walk is through forest, so watch out for mosquitoes
Relaxing hike

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Yann 81
Yann 81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Walk taken in mid-September, very pleasant and easy to do on a sunny day, with half the route under the cover of the forest. The return trip along the beach is very pleasant, stretching as far as the eye can see. Don't be surprised to find people in their birthday suits, as you have to cross several naturist areas.

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ChrisC17
ChrisC17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, 50% pine forest and 50% beach. The paths are well marked and are also mountain bike routes. No particular difficulty.
Thanks to the author for this hike

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