Sully-sur-Loire and the banks of the Loire

de fr

A very pleasant route, mostly along the banks of the Loire. Good view of the Château de Sully and the Basilica of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire.

Details

n°59798
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 394 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 361 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite Sully-sur-Loire Castle (opposite the play areas).

(S) From the car park, head back onto the D948 and cross the bridge.

(1) Just after the bridge, turn left onto theGR®®3, marked in white and red. Walk to the left of a campsite and a tennis court.

(2) At the crossroads where four paths meet, take the one on the left. Continue straight on at the fork in the two paths (behind you is the nature trail) and follow the Loire for 2 km until you come close to the D60.

(3) Follow the D60 for about 600 metres.

(4) Leave the road to reach the hamlet of Les Ripeneaux.

(5) At the first houses, turn right to move away from the banks of the Loire. Then turn left onto a small road, marked in white and red (GR®®3), and follow it for 2.3 km.

(6) You’ll reach the junction with thePR®®. Carry on straight ahead along theGR®®3to reach the Île des Mahis nature reserve.

(7) Continue along theGR®®3and reach the hamlet of Les Braudins via the road of the same name.

(8) Go straight on to reach the junction by the Red Cross wayside shrine.

(9) Cross the road and carry on straight ahead. Continue for a further 600 metres, then turn left just before a pretty little bridge.

(10) Following the road to the left, after a right-hand bend, you’ll find yourself face to face with the Basilica of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. Carry on straight ahead, then turn right onto Rue Orléanaise. Walk 600 metres to join the D148 at a three-way junction.

(11) At this junction, take the D148 straight ahead and carry on straight on until you reach the little Sainte-Scholastique Chapel, which is open to visitors (see description and link at the bottom of this page).

(12) Carry on along the D148 until you reach a crossroads in the hamlet of Carrouge.

(13) Turn left and follow the D148 (Route de Bonnée) for 650 metres to the hamlet of Les Allaires. At the Fork in the road, leave the D148, turn right onto the Chemin de Grosjoncs and continue to the locality of Grosjonc.

(14) Pass the pond on your right and carry on straight ahead.

(15) At the three-way junction, head diagonally to the right, then, immediately afterwards, take the path on the left. After 1 km, this same path becomes the Chemin des Noues. Follow it for about 650 m to reach the Route de Maison Neuve.

(16) Turn right, pass through Bel Air and continue along this road for about 1 km until you reach the junction with Rue de l’Eglise.

(17) Turn left, then right to reach the large crossroads leading to the D948 bridge. Cross the bridge and retrace your steps to reach the car park opposite the castle.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 390 ft - Castle car park, starting point - La Loire
  2. 1 : mi 0.35 - alt. 394 ft - Turn left onto the GR3
  3. 2 : mi 0.98 - alt. 377 ft - At the junction with the fitness trail, turn left
  4. 3 : mi 2.37 - alt. 374 ft - Continue along the GR, following the D60
  5. 4 : mi 2.78 - alt. 374 ft - Turn off the road.
  6. 5 : mi 3.14 - alt. 374 ft - Les Ripeneaux: turn right, then left
  7. 6 : mi 4.6 - alt. 377 ft - Junction with the PR; carry straight on onto the GR
  8. 7 : mi 5.11 - alt. 377 ft - Île des Mahis Nature Reserve, straight ahead
  9. 8 : mi 5.41 - alt. 367 ft - Les Braudins
  10. 9 : mi 5.76 - alt. 364 ft - Calvaire de la Red Cross, straight ahead
  11. 10 : mi 6.3 - alt. 371 ft - Basilica of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire
  12. 11 : mi 6.62 - alt. 364 ft - At the three-way junction, take the D148 opposite
  13. 12 : mi 7.68 - alt. 374 ft - Sainte-Scholastique Chapel
  14. 13 : mi 8.04 - alt. 374 ft - Le Carrouge, on the left
  15. 14 : mi 9 - alt. 371 ft - Grosjonc, straight on
  16. 15 : mi 9.25 - alt. 374 ft - three-way junction: turn right, then immediately left
  17. 16 : mi 10.24 - alt. 377 ft - Route de Maison Neuve, on the right
  18. 17 : mi 10.9 - alt. 377 ft - Junction with Rue de l’Eglise, turn left
  19. S/E : mi 11.41 - alt. 390 ft

Notes

In (3), the banks of the Loire are magnificent in April, but the paths are still a bit overgrown, so you may need to walk along the road for a stretch.

Worth a visit

This area along the banks of the Loire is a nature reserve, managed by the ‘Conservatoire du Patrimoine Naturel de la Région Centre’.

In Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire,thehttp://www.abbaye-fleury.com/ (11th–13th centuries), a masterpiece of Romanesque art, which is still home to a community of Benedictine monks.

The Chapel of Saint Scholastica at WP(12): http://lafrancedesclochers.clicforum.com.... This site is also home to Fleury Abbey and the Chapel of Saint Scholastica.
The chapel was originally a votive building situated some distance from the abbey, where the monks kept a number of relics of Saint Scholastica available to the faithful. As this chapel was severely damaged during the Revolution, it was rebuilt in the 19th century. Facing east-west and situated at the far end of the hamlet, furthest from the village of Saint-Benoît, this small square chapel is distinguished by its raised gable. It is no longer in use today.

Sully-sur-Loire http://www.sully-sur-loire.fr/tourisme/c...
At the gateway to the Vallée des Rois, set in the heart of extensive grounds, the château—owned by the Loiret General Council—was once the residence of the 1st Duke of Sully. Numerous exhibitions and events are held throughout the year for visitors of all ages, including children.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Lulu2014
Lulu2014

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Trip at the end of September with a visit to the castle

Machine-translated

842027
842027
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

The route is completely impassable in June, despite being largely on the GR 3 trail. It is overgrown with nettles and sometimes brambles for several kilometres along the banks of the Loire.
Abandon the route around the6th kilometre as soon as possible.

Machine-translated

jacques MILLET
jacques MILLET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Machine-translated

Stache59
Stache59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Note: the section of the GR between St Père and St Benoit sur Loire is poorly maintained. 4/7/2021 The path is infested with nettles, which is unpleasant for hikers.

Machine-translated

poitrineau michel
poitrineau michel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The first part of the hike from Sully to Saint-Benoît, along the banks of the Loire, is very interesting and pleasant.
The same goes for the crossing of Saint-Benoît with the Basilica of Fleury Abbey.
However, the return journey from Saint-Benoît to Sully, along the pavements of the D 148, is not particularly interesting, so we took a detour to reach the banks of the Loire via small paths.
In conclusion, we will return but... we will change the return route to avoid the pavements of the D 148 road!!!!

Machine-translated

Clairelys
Clairelys

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As described. At the entrance to Saint Benoit, we didn't find the left turn but crossed the village to go to the basilica and didn't meet anyone! It was cold on this first day of spring. Thank you

Machine-translated

docteurpierron
docteurpierron

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first part along the Loire is very pleasant; you can cross the Loire via the footbridge located 200 metres from the bridge, which means you don't have to take the same route on the way back.
The Basilica of Saint Benoit is well worth a visit
The return journey via the north is less pleasant (long, flat straight stretch)

Machine-translated

chanteausien45
chanteausien45

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
On the way there, along the Loire, we encountered the nettles that had already been reported, and we are grateful to the hiker from the previous Sunday who must have cleared the path after two months of lockdown. We then followed the GR, Loire à Vélo, and fortunately missed a passage leading to the Basilica. We ended up at the port of St Benoit: an enchanting place where we had a picnic.
Don't miss this detour, it's well worth it. Just follow the GR, which will take you straight there.
On the way back, we didn't quite understand the description. Just go straight ahead and you'll arrive in Sully.

Machine-translated

frrando45
frrando45

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route to St Benoit, after a long drive back to Sully, but there was little traffic.
The nettles are still there, but the mosquitoes haven't arrived yet. Bring long trousers.
Best regards

Machine-translated

Daniel86
Daniel86

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hello

moderate hike, mostly flat terrain, let's say half of the hike, but the banks of the Loire are very pleasant

best regards

Machine-translated

desrumaux
desrumaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very beautiful walk along the Loire

Machine-translated

nanebe
nanebe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

just to note that between points 3 and 4, there are many nettles, so bring mosquito repellent.

Machine-translated

patricegimel
patricegimel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Between points 3 and 4 on the map, the path is sometimes very narrow, surrounded by tall grass and swarming with mosquitoes.

Machine-translated

GNOUGNOU
GNOUGNOU

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Take a stick or even pruning shears to clear your way, as the vegetation is very lush (nettles, brambles, etc., as tall as me: 1.62 m) on part of the trail (between points 4 and 5.5). For the moment, it is a little clearer following the passage of our group.
There is little shade.
You don't often see the Loire, hidden behind the woods.
PS: we only did the outward journey to St Benoit.

Machine-translated

Phasme91
Phasme91

Good evening,
The difficulties encountered are: at point 4, follow the D60: you can avoid this by taking the Loire cycle route
After the Basilica of St. Benoit, we got a little lost following the GR trail. Perhaps it should be specified that you should not follow the GR trail?
At point 16, take the three-way junction to the right and then immediately to the left. We found ourselves in the middle of fields. In fact, between points 16 and 17, it's all on a dirt track in the middle of fields
Kind regards

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Sully-sur-Loire Castle and its surroundings

Visorando Member
Le château de Sully-sur-Loire et ses environs
↔3.90 mi ↗+13 ft ↘-13 ft ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Sully-sur-Loire (Loiret)
This short walk allows you to admire the medieval fortress in all its glory and stroll through the castle grounds and along the dykes that protect the town from the river. Many migratory birds take refuge on the castle's magnificent lake.

Walking Chemin des Rauches along the Loire

Visorando Member
↔6.82 mi ↗+13 ft ↘-13 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Père-sur-Loire (Loiret)
Alternating between meadows, forests, ponds and farmland, this route presents no difficulties. It begins and ends majestically on the banks of the Loire. This is a shortened version of the former "PR® des Rauches" with 76% of the route on unpaved paths.

Walking From Chemin de la Plaine to the banks of the Loire: Between the levees

Visorando Member
Du Chemin de la Plaine aux bords de Loire : Entre les levées
↔6.17 mi ↗+13 ft ↘-13 ft ◔2h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Père-sur-Loire (Loiret)
A hike offering great contrasts between the open fields of the first part and the wild banks of the Loire in the second part, with its unspoilt natural site known as "Entre les levées". Proposed by the tourist office as part of the Randonnée des Châtaignes (Chestnut Hike), this route was very popular with hikers.

Walking Sange Valley Circuit

Visorando Member
Circuit de la Vallée de la Sange
↔6.32 mi ↗+102 ft ↘-98 ft ◔3h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Aignan-le-Jaillard (Loiret)
On the edge of the Sologne, this circuit brings together the typical landscapes that make up the charm of this natural region near the Loire: meadows, ponds, forests, interspersed with crops and pretty brick houses. The little river Sange brings it to life and gives it a little relief. Marked in yellow, this route is also signposted in places as "PR® de la Vallée de la Sange - P 11". Despite two sections on the road, 70% of this circuit is on unpaved paths.

Walking Historic Trail of the Vallée des Rois from Viglain

Visorando Member
Sentier Historique de la Vallée des Rois depuis Viglain
↔7.12 mi ↗+66 ft ↘-66 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Viglain (Loiret)
Nestled on the edge of the Sologne region, Viglain reveals the riches of its countryside, with its woods, heathland, ponds and streams, not to mention the Sully-sur-Loire golf course, a vast green space dotted with trees of various species.

Walking Sologne trails starting from Villemurlin

Visorando Member
Chemins solognots au départ de Villemurlin
↔6.28 mi ↗+66 ft ↘-66 ft ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villemurlin (Loiret)
Mainly on dirt, sand or gravel paths, this fairly easy circuit takes you through the peaceful and varied landscapes of the Sologne: ponds, forests, hedgerow-enclosed pastures and interspersed crops. At the start and finish, the pretty village of Villemurlin offers a typical Sologne charm with its brick houses and blue ladders, reminders of a time when the attic was accessed from outside. Initially shared with the family path of Villemurlin (the "chouette promenade" or "owl walk"), this route then takes a shortened version of the former "PR® des domaines de chasse et cultures" (hunting grounds and farmland), of which a few signs remain.

Walking La route du Jongleur

Visorando Member
Circuit pédestre du Jongleur
↔9.45 mi ↗+105 ft ↘-105 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Neuvy-en-Sullias (Loiret)
The juggler is one of the figures from the Gallo-Roman treasure found at Neuvy-en-Sulias in 1861 and displayed in the permanent exhibition in the garden adjoining the town hall. This very pleasant route offers a fine variety of landscapes typical of the Loire and Sologne regions, comprising three interwoven features: the wooded bocage and its meadows, the mixed deciduous and coniferous forest with few straight lines, and the open agricultural plain. The River Loire and the Leu stream provide a refreshing finale to the walk. A wealth of points of interest punctuate and enliven this route: a 16th-century château, the former port of Bouteille, a tile works listed as a historic monument, a windmill… The route is marked in yellow by the FFR and featured in the guidebook ‘La Sologne à pied’.

Walking Petit Leu Walk

Visorando Member
Promenade du Petit Leu
↔2.90 mi ↗+20 ft ↘-20 ft ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Neuvy-en-Sullias (Loiret)
Quite close to the Loire between Sully and Châteauneuf, on the edge of the Sologne region, a family walk in the countryside. Starting from a charming village where a Gallo-Roman treasure was found in the 19th century.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.