Vallée de Chevreuse walks

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.

A beautiful hike to discover the beautiful sights of the Chevreuse valley: the Chatillonmill, the castle of Dampierre, the blacksmith’s, the villages of Fourcherolles, Senlisse and Choisel, Méridon castle, the village of Chevreuse and its small bridges along the Yvette, and Château de la Madeleine.

In the footsteps of Jean Racine, in places steeped in history. A walk through a variety of environments, between forests, meadows and cultivated fields, with a lovely view of the ancient Abbey of Port-Royal des Champs.

The first part of this walk alternates between woodland and fields. The return journey is through undergrowth, along the former railway line that used to link Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and Limours.

At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.

It's a very varied walk, combining nature, culture, history, tourism and curiosities. All of which means you won't miss a mile. And if you're lucky enough to do it in good weather, you'll come home feeling like you've just been on holiday.

A hike from station to station with a water theme! In the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Natural Park and then in the Rambouillet Forest, this is a pleasant route, mostly shaded, along ponds, small canals and a charming river, the Drouette.

Between ponds, oak forests, pine forests and birch woods, this is a beautiful hike in the north of the Rambouillet Forest. A varied route in a peaceful setting.

In the heart of the Forêt de Rambouillet, a walk tinged with fern and heather, to discover a Neolithic dolmen and a charming valley along a stream.

This hike will take you from castle to castle in the Chevreuse Valley: Coubertin, Méridon, Breteuil, Dampierre and La Madeleine. You will also discover Chevreuse, its small bridges and its Saint-Martin Church (with its remarkable ambulatory) and the surrounding countryside. The hike can start from Chevreuse or from the RER B station at Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (departure and return details in italics). In this case, add 2 km to the length of the hike.

This hike explores part of the hydraulic network built during the reign of Louis XIV to supply water to the Palace of Versailles. After a very pleasant walk along the Vieille-Eglise Aqueduct and through the Bois des Vindrins, the trail continues through cultivated plains alongside small irrigation channels.

An easy and very pleasant circuit in the Rambouillet forest, passing by the Étangs de Hollande.

Near Rambouillet, the Vaux de Cernay offer many pleasant walks. The one suggested here gives a good overview of the variety of the site: ponds and wetlands, a passage through a chaos of sandstone and old quarries. This walk is pleasant in all seasons. 07/08/2023 Message from the moderator: hike modified at point 2 to avoid private property.

A loop around the Bois de Montabé, following the edge of an old railway line, a short section across fields and ending on paths and lanes. A walk to get some fresh air in the afternoon.

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.

A very beautiful hike to discover the wonderful rural and natural landscape of the north-west of the Chevreuse Valley, offering a radical change of scenery from the urban and commercial area of Coignières.

Hike through the woods and pretty little villages.

A short hike in the Upper Chevreuse Valley, rich in heritage and offering beautiful views of the Vallon du Pommeret and the wooded hills that surround it.

A short forest hike in two stages. After a lovely view of the former Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, you climb up the Vallon du Rodhon on a path and trails that wind through the undergrowth. The hike then follows the wide paths of the Port-Royal Forest.

From the RER B station at Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, visit the 11th-century medieval castle (1030) in Chevreuse and its ramparts, with a view overlooking the Chevreuse Valley. A day of nature, sport, excitement and gastronomy awaits you.

Loop around the source of the Yvette at Les Essarts-le-Roy.

On the edge of the Rambouillet National Forest, the Old Road from Nogent-le-Roy to Montfort-l'Amaury is marked by boundary stones dating from the Ancien Régime and decorated with fleurs-de-lis. This short hike, which requires a good sense of direction, starts in the heart of the forest in search of these boundary stones and ends in a rural setting.

A hike from station to station that takes us to the source of the River Yvette and then up and down through the woods that frame its valley. The route crosses the Maincourt Marsh and then an area of rocky chaos. The forest trails are interspersed with villages and hamlets rich in heritage.

A hike with varied landscapes. The route is mainly through the undergrowth of a beautiful forest with sections along the riverbank. 07/08/2023 Moderator's note: hike modified at point 2 to avoid private property.

Pond and dolmen: hike in the Rambouillet National Forest near Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines.

The first part of the hike takes in many points of interest. The second part offers a route through forest and quiet country lanes. This circuit is not recommended for young children as it includes some very steep and stony paths.

Varied landscapes and paths: pine, oak and birch forests, fields and greenhouses, thatched cottages and streams, boundary stones bearing coats of arms and a billionaire's castle.

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.

Starting from the Coupe-Gorge Pond, you will encounter fantastic creatures hidden in the Tête d'Alouette Oak. You will pass through forests of different species and, if you are lucky, you may come across a family of wild boars.

A short hike to discover the Mérantaise valley, the Croix du Bois, the Mérantais wash house, the village of Magny-les-Hameaux, the Maison des Bonheurs (family of 19th-century painters), the Domaine de Brouëssy, and the stele of Hélène Boucher (early 20th-century aviator).

Hike along steep paths then through the narrow streets of a picturesque village.

A hike from station to station where you play leapfrog with the Yvette River! The route is mostly close to the river and crosses a few woods and pretty parks, including the one in the western part of the Paris-Sud University campus.

A route in the heart of the Rambouillet National Forest, in the Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park, where you can discover a varied and peaceful natural environment. This hike is ideal for nature lovers and those seeking tranquillity.

Visit the Château de la Madeleine's belvedere, castle and cellars via a trail around the Plaine de la Madeleine. We recommend starting from the "Carrefour de Milon," which is accessible from the beautiful little village of Milon-la-Chapelle.

A hike from station to station, yo-yoing between the Yvette valley and the Saclay plateau, with a few fairly steep hills. After a mostly wooded route with some elevation, you cross Gif-sur-Yvette and then walk along a wetland area framed by two rivers. You climb back up onto the plateau, near the Paris-Saclay University campus. After visiting the old Troche quarry and walking along the edge of the plateau, you descend back into the valley.

A walk between ponds, country lanes and forest, passing through the small town of Mesnil-Saint-Denis. This hike is accessible to all. It takes you through a variety of places with lovely views. Please note that there is virtually no shade for two-thirds of the route between the points (1) and (6), so it is best to avoid it in very hot weather.

A short walk between forest and fields without leaving Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It will take you to the "Garde Manger", a shop selling local and short route products.

A forest trail featuring several remarkable trees, including the particularly tall Hêtre du CERF and the majestic Chêne de l'Ascension. The route generally follows very well-maintained paths. A section on a poorly maintained path requires a good sense of direction.

This short route alternates between forest paths and paths along fields, following a small stream called Rouillon de Valence. It ends with a return to Dampierre-en-Yvelines in front of the château and its majestic park.

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.

A short hike that combines urban passages, wooded and hilly trails, and a pleasant walk along the Yvette River.

Short walk around the Étang d'Hubert lake with historical passages. Moderator's note See reviews. It seems that the circular is no longer possible. Please leave a comment to confirm.

A south-north crossing of the Rambouillet and Quatre Piliers forests, from station to station! The route, mainly through forest, is long and requires a good sense of direction for the first half. Several ponds and remarkable trees line the route.

A lovely route between the château, forest, ponds and rivers, on the outskirts of Montfort-l'Amaury.

Starting from the car park at the old sandpit, walk slightly uphill through the forest, then downhill along a stream, past the farm and continue along the stream.

This magnificent route will allow you to discover the wonders of the Chevreuse Valley, passing through the Domaine de Coubertin, the Meridon Departmental Forest, the Bois du Vossery sandstone quarry, the village of Chevreuse with its shopping streets, its church, the Promenade des Petits Ponts and its medieval castle.

Discover the ponds and pools that dot this route in the Rambouillet Forest. The private pond at Château de l'Artoire, visible from the road; Étang du Moulin des Roches; the waterfalls and rocks at Vaux de Cernay; the private pond at Les Hogues, visible from the road; Étang de la Tour; Étang de Coupe-Gorge; the ponds at Vilpert; and the ponds at Hollande.

A hike from station to station that will take you through the forest of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park. Ponds, castle, forest, ramparts and museum: everything you need for a wonderful day out with family or friends.

A loop starting from Cernay-la-Ville. Head west towards Le Perray and Vieille-Église. Return via the Rambouillet Forest. 75% of the route is in the forest. Start and finish in the town centre.The circuit is almost flat (a small descent and climb towards the end), with a little road at the start and end (2 x 1.5 km) and the rest on forest paths. No technical difficulty, but it's not a leisurely ride (not suitable for families), as the paths can be very bumpy (stones, ruts, etc.) but are nevertheless often very beautiful.

This route follows various types of paths: cycle paths, paths or trails suitable for cycling, streets and departmental roads.The landscapes vary between Coulée Verte, Vallée de l'Yvette (Basse-Vallée de Chevreuse), Saclay plateau and Bois de Verrières.Two hills of one to two kilometres make this approximately 40 km route "moderately difficult"; it therefore requires a minimum level of cycling experience.