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Saclay walks
A history of water on the Saclay Plateau
Visorando Member
5.59 mi
+240 ft
-256 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Vauhallan (Essonne)
This is a fairly short hike that allows you to discover two rigoles (small water collection channels) on the Saclay Plateau: the Rigole Domaniale and the Rigole de Favreuse. These rigoles were built in the 17th century to supply water to the Palace of Versailles. The route alternates between woods and cultivated fields, with a rich heritage in Vauhallan.
The Saclay Plateau Agricultural Interpretation Trail
3.36 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Jouy-en-Josas (Yvelines)
Just 20 kilometres away, the Saclay plateau is the largest cultivated area closest to Paris. This easy route features numerous information panels explaining agriculture and environmental management in a highly urbanised region.
The Saclay plateau and the woods and marshland of the Bonnard Valley
3.73 mi
+249 ft
-249 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Aubin (Essonne) (Essonne)
Circular route through the Saclay plateau, the woods at the edge of the plateau and the Bonnard Marsh.
The hillsides of the Yvette from Le Guichet to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
8.72 mi
+646 ft
-633 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
A varied hike where you gain altitude. First, you climb up to the Saclay plateau and walk along the university campus before gently descending into the Yvette valley through the forest. We climb back up the other bank and cross the Gif-sur-Yvette forest from east to west. After an urban section, we walk between fields before descending back into the forest to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse.
Circular loop around the Corbeville staircases
1.16 mi
+256 ft
-259 ft
0h 45
Easy
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
Whilst awaiting the opening of Metro Line 18, those working on the Saclay plateau in the Corbeville area who use the RER B can choose between two long, steep flights of stairs or a steep path, on either side of the former La Troche quarry. This gave rise to the idea for this circular route – short but challenging – which can be completed as many times as one wishes and thus provides excellent training ground before tackling climbs of varying lengths during the summer.
From Vauboyen to the Palace of Versailles
5.95 mi
+443 ft
-259 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Bièvres (Essonne) (Essonne)
A walk through Jouy-en-Josas and the surrounding woods before reaching the Palace of Versailles.
The Tête Ronde Forest and Saint-Aubin Wood
4.77 mi
+226 ft
-226 ft
2h 25
Moderate
Departure from Villiers-le-Bâcle (Essonne)
A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.
Vauboyen, Bois de Bel-Air and Bois de Montéclin
4.99 mi
+512 ft
-499 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Bièvres (Essonne) (Essonne)
A short half-day walk. After a good walk through the woods, the route becomes more heritage-oriented with the hamlet of Vauboyen and the Maison Victor Hugo. The walk ends along the River Bièvre.
Natural, artistic and scientific heritage of Paris-Saclay University
3.73 mi
+335 ft
-348 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
Discover part of the artistic, historical and scientific heritage of Paris-Saclay University: sculptures, frescoes, scientific instruments, archaeological sites, and more. An easy walk on a campus featuring a large botanical park and the neighbouring wooded hillsides.
The Troche Quarry and Lake Lozère
3.79 mi
+341 ft
-351 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
A mainly urban, relatively short route with a slight elevation gain. A few steep steps lead up to the Bois de la Troche and the rocks of its former sandstone quarry. The walk ends peacefully along the Yvette.
The Orsay campus and its surroundings
4.25 mi
+354 ft
-354 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
Discover nature between the River Yvette and the Guyonnerie forest. A family walk where pets are welcome.
In the Verrières Forest and along the Bièvre River.
7.94 mi
+627 ft
-656 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Bièvres (Essonne) (Essonne)
A circuit with varied landscapes, in the Verrières forest and along the Bièvre river. A breath of fresh air and greenery just a few kilometres from the capital.
Circular loop around Orcéenne through the woods and along the Yvette promenade.
4.38 mi
+272 ft
-285 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Orsay (Essonne)
A short hike that combines urban passages, wooded and hilly trails, and a pleasant walk along the Yvette River.
The Promenade de l'Yvette
7.69 mi
+23 ft
-148 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Palaiseau (Essonne)
In a highly urbanised environment, this is a green space where you can relax and enjoy a pleasant walk along the Yvette river and the Bassins de Saulx and Balizy.
A hike from station to station with a shorter alternative for motorists.
Circular route of the Troche starting from Lozère
5.20 mi
+413 ft
-430 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Palaiseau (Essonne)
This circular route offers the charm of the Lozère district with its wooded hillsides and breathtaking views over the Yvette valley. You can also stroll along the water’s edge, on the banks of Lake Lozère or along the Yvette.
Balconies and the Yvette plain
10.68 mi
+938 ft
-951 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
A loop in the Chevreuse Valley, with magnificent landscapes, in a wooded and rural setting close to Paris. The first part is a walk through the woods on the plateau overlooking the Yvette Valley. The return journey, parallel to the outward route, is mainly on flat ground. Most of the walk is well shaded and flat, but there are also some fairly steep ascents and descents. The area is very popular with walkers and mountain bikers, but it is well worth a visit.
Chemin Charles Péguy: overview
Association / Club / Walk leader
58.91 mi
+1,775 ft
-1,549 ft
3 days
Difficult
Departure from Palaiseau (Essonne)
This marked route follows as closely as possible the path taken by Charles Péguy in 1912 and then 1913 from his home in Lozère (Palaiseau) to Chartres, via Dourdan.
The walking route is 94 kilometres long and is marked with blue and white signposts.
The trail was created by the Amitié Charles Péguy association. It received support from the Eure-et-Loir General Council. Visorando was responsible for its first publication on the Internet.
Chemin Charles Péguy: Palaiseau - Saint-Cyr-sous-Dourdan
18.90 mi
+794 ft
-804 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Palaiseau (Essonne)
First of the four sections of the Charles Péguy Trail: Palaiseau-Chartres, via Dourdan.
It closely follows in the footsteps of the poet Charles Péguy, who made two pilgrimages in 1912 and 1913, each lasting four days there and back.
The Viaduc des Fauvettes and the Forêt de Gif-sur-Yvette
6.56 mi
+712 ft
-741 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
A walk of many faces! On forest tracks interspersed with paths through the city, you follow an old railway line with a tunnel and viaduct, finishing along the course of the river Yvette. A walk to enjoy at any time of year.
Bièvre Valley - Château de Versailles
9.44 mi
+817 ft
-623 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Igny (Essonne) (Essonne)
Hike connecting Igny (Essonne) to the Palace of Versailles. The route follows the Bievre, and 80% of the route is on roads through forests. A calm, cool walk with scenery that will leave you with a unique souvenir.
The Ponds of Montbron
3.40 mi
+144 ft
-148 ft
1h 40
Moderate
Departure from Les Loges-en-Josas (Yvelines)
An unsuspected corner of wild nature, just twenty kilometres from Paris. In the Parc Départemental des Côtes de Montbron, the Ru de Saint-Marc and three ponds are home to a variety of flora and numerous birds. A short walk for nature lovers!
15/11/2024: A landslide has been reported just past the point (6) and it seems impossible to get through at the moment.
Following the Bièvre from Igny to the Porte d'Italie
12.49 mi
+167 ft
-236 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from Igny (Essonne) (Essonne)
This second section, dedicated to the Bièvre, begins in a still rural setting but quickly moves into a heavily urbanised area. However, the route favours small streets and public parks. It is also here that the river’s course becomes partly underground, reappearing here and there. There are heritage sites, notably the impressive aqueducts at Arcueil and Cachan, and beautiful views of Paris in the ‘upper’ part of the route.
The Yvette Valley via the Rigoles de Saint-Aubin and the Mérantaise
8.35 mi
+502 ft
-482 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Gif-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
This hike starts in Gif-sur-Yvette and takes you to the heights of the Saint-Aubin and Vallée Bonnard channels, following the Yvette river and returning via La Mérantaise, passing through the Bois d'Aigrefoin, the Saint-Aubin communal forest and the Coupières basin.
Circular route around the Étang de la Geneste and Les Loges-en-Josas starting from Buc
6.56 mi
+240 ft
-210 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Buc (Yvelines)
A varied route, more than half of which is through woodland. Crosses a village via footpaths, a plain with views, and a pond. The surface of the route is in good condition, except for the embankment, depending on the height of the grass. A pleasant little walk well worth discovering.
Between the Swiss pond and the Minière ponds
8.83 mi
+443 ft
-436 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Buc (Yvelines)
This route allows you to discover both the Minière ponds, upstream of the Bièvre river, and to pass close to the Palace of Versailles by crossing the Parc des Suisses. It is also a route through the Versailles National Forest, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant walk along the Bièvre.
It is a route for all seasons, as the landscape changes with the weather.
Around the Geneste and Minière ponds
8.45 mi
+180 ft
-180 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Buc (Yvelines)
A green loop around the ponds of Moulin à Renard, La Minière, Val d'Or and La Geneste in the Bièvre valley, with an optional detour to admire the Arcades de Buc.
Circular route starting from Buc
8.26 mi
+184 ft
-184 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Buc (Yvelines)
A varied route through built-up areas, fields, ditches, canals and ponds. A very shaded route on a variety of surfaces including tarmac, gravel, earth and grass. Passing by Château de Buc, along the Golf National, Toussus-le-Noble airfield, Guyancourt, and the Val d'Or and Geneste ponds.