Saint-Trojan-les-Bains on the Île d'Oléron

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.

Details

514723
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 16 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 16 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 21 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park at the Saint-Trojan-les-Bains tourist office. There is another smaller car park next to the Spar grocery store.

(S/E) Once parked, return to the roundabout and take the Grand-Village road, then immediately turn left onto the Grande Plage road. Follow the cycle path parallel to the road and continue to the coast.

(1) When you reach Grande Plage, turn left towards the east and head for Pointe de Gatseau, which you will go around. Walk along the beach or the path that runs alongside it, depending on the tide.

(2) At Gatseau station, go to the car park and take the signposted "sentier côtier" (coastal path) to the north-east.

(3) Continue along the path, passing in front of the thalassotherapy centre. To avoid disturbing the occupants, it is best to walk along the beach and rejoin the path at the exit of the establishment.
Head back up to Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, staying on the coastal path.

(4) In Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, in front of the "Les Clos" hotel on Boulevard de la Plage, continue along the coastal path to the small port.

(5) Then, before returning to your starting point, stroll at your leisure through the village streets, which are very lively in season (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Tourist office car park
  2. 1 : km 3.42 - alt. 3 m - Grande Plage
  3. 2 : km 9.96 - alt. 3 m - Gatseau Station - Seagull Train
  4. 3 : km 10.68 - alt. 3 m - Thalassotherapy
  5. 4 : km 14.28 - alt. 4 m - Les Clos Hotel
  6. 5 : km 15.49 - alt. 3 m - Port of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
  7. S/E : km 16.62 - alt. 5 m - Tourist office car park

Notes

It is best to do this walk outside the summer season and at low tide: walking among the bathers in the fine sand at high tide can be tedious.

Worth a visit

The oyster port, with its multicoloured huts, is a place to stroll where authenticity is the order of the day. Although still in operation, some of the huts have been taken over by artists, craftsmen and restaurateurs.
At the end of your walk, enjoy the narrow streets of the town centre and visit the church, which has a beautiful model of a three-masted sailing ship on display.
At Pointe de Gatseau, you may have the pleasure of encountering the little seagull train.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
phbizet
phbizet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A nature walk between the foreshore, pine forest and marshes under a magnificent autumn sun – the best!

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blanc michel
blanc michel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to do at low tide. Don't forget to bring water when it's very sunny.

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Gipet
Gipet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The southern tip of the island of Oléron has been altered by various storms. According to GPS, the hiking trail markers have been pushed back 138 metres. The trees (pines) are dying, and the tip of the point is littered with uprooted stumps and branches. It is an impressive landscape of erosion.

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Lambert
Lambert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very beautiful route in the heart of nature along the coastline for nature lovers. So beautiful!

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josyetjo
josyetjo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

to be done outside the summer season

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pimpampoum42
pimpampoum42

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Seeing the ocean... you won't be disappointed. In fact... no guide is needed. However, it's best to go out of season and at low tide

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thebachman
thebachman

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in good weather, in the opposite direction to the suggested route (I started in the village and finished in the forest)
A very beautiful hike with varied scenery and a splendid beach. The weather was on our side, despite a few drops of rain on the beach.
I highly recommend this hike at low tide and outside of the summer season.

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chrispier85
chrispier85

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike in glorious sunshine and at low tide! Through the forest, then 7 km along the long beach at Saint Trojan... superb!

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Bayoucath
Bayoucath

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike between sea and land

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Chantal&Olivier
Chantal&Olivier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Lafee46
Lafee46

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, the route from the main beach to Pointe de Gatseau is very pleasant at low tide on the sand and in good weather.

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1327567028
1327567028

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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P.I.C.31
P.I.C.31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pretty scenery for those who love the sea. Best to do this hike before July and August, as I imagine the beach must be crowded during those two months. Be careful in the sun, though. It's a shame that this hike takes a very urbanised route (towards the end), at least in my opinion. A hike worth recommending.

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pierreOB
pierreOB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a superb route starting from Saint Trojan through the forest and then mostly along the beach. We were lucky enough to do this hike at low tide under bright sunshine. I highly recommend it

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PAT727272
PAT727272

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I modified this route slightly by taking the path parallel to the long straight road leading to the beach to avoid using the cycle path.
I turned left (at the last car park) onto the path through the forest that leads to the beach.
At the end of the path, you come to a very high dune that is gradually eating away at the forest (I will add photos if possible), which is very unusual.
I then followed the beach via Pointe du Gatsteau, where the sea is eating away at the forest (the pine trees are falling onto the beach!!!!!)
I found the end of the route uninteresting because it was too urbanised.
No doubt if you go around St Trojean to the west (i.e. through the forest) to avoid the town, it would be more interesting!
That's just my opinion!
Nevertheless, thank you for this route, which gave me a starting point!

Enjoy your walk, everyone!

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