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Vernoux-en-Gâtine walks
Forêt de l’Absie and Bois des Gâts
Despite a few sections on small tarmac roads, you’ll enjoy the shade and coolness of this route, which mostly follows paths and sunken lanes through forests of centuries-old trees.
At the sources of Gâtine
A route through hills, hedgerows, forests, streams and green valleys with numerous views of the "little Switzerland" of Beugnon.
The Effres Route starting from Secondigny
This short walk through the Secondigny countryside, along small roads and country lanes, takes you past Lac des Effres and through the Gâtine countryside, ending with a walk through the Bois de l’Aumônerie.
It is based on walk no. 7 published in a leaflet by the Parthenay Gâtine heritage department. It is partly signposted: look for the ‘Blue Circle’ signs.
Chemin des Pommes in Secondigny
A pleasant little route through the orchards of Secondigny.
Around the Ruisseau des Fougères
A walk along the paths through the countryside around Le Busseau, a rural village situated on the Niort–Cholet road (D744) on the border with the Vendée department, equidistant from Niort, Parthenay and Bressuire.
Chemin des digitales in the Secondigny forest
A hike in the Secondigny National Forest, dotted with foxgloves and ending with magnificent views of the Pays de Gâtine.
The Saumort Valley
This route is a shorter alternative to the ‘Around the Saumort Valley’ route.
Lys Trail starting from La Chapelle-aux-Lys
Along this route, you will discover a chapel and a wash house, and pass through the Bois des Baudonnières.
The path of the stars at La Chapelle aux Lys
Short hike along the blue-marked Star Trail. Charming little village with everything to do with the universe, stars and planets.
La Chapelle aux Lys is a former commune that merged with two neighbouring communes on 1 January 2023 under the name of Terval.
Explore the bocage countryside around the old Clessé railway station
This walk allows you to discover the varied landscapes of the Gâtine bocage: paths winding through hedgerows and meadows, woods and small ponds. The start and finish are on the Voie Verte, the former Parthenay–Bressuire railway line, which has been converted into a walking route. You can see the old Clessé station there, with its buildings in the typical railway style.
The Claires Fontaines Trail
This walk along the banks of the Gâtine, amongst oak, ash and chestnut trees throughout the ‘Vendée’ valley – which at this stage is merely a stream fed by numerous springs – will also treat you, in its second half, to magnificent panoramic views of the bocage.
Walk in Pamplie
A peaceful walk through the Pamplie countryside, between fields and forests.
Idyllic route in Gâtine at Azay-sur-Thouet
A countryside walk in the Gâtine, with shaded sections through copses and a few high points offering views of the bocage landscape.
Maison Neuve walking route
A walk through the Gâtinaise countryside along unpaved paths and local roads.
Around Azay-Sur-Thouet
Shaded route using dirt tracks and a few sections of tarmaced local roads.
Chemin de la Mine and Bas de Soie
Starting from the Faymoreau Mining Centre, this route follows the mine path (an old railway line) and then continues through the countryside and orchards to reach the national forest (to be avoided during the hunting season).
Faymoreau – Les Dorderies – Bois de la Boule
A nature walk through the Bois de la Boule to the Verrerie de Faymoreau in the Vendée.
Suitable for walking or mountain biking. Risk of flooding during wet weather.
The Faymoreau Glassworks
Former mining basin, Faymoreau Petite Cité de Caractère in Vendée.
Worth visiting for its geological history, its mining museum, its miners' houses and its miners' chapel with its stained glass windows.
A walk through the countryside on an old railway line, along the banks of the river "La Vendée" and through orchards.
The Bois des Dortières via the Sentier des Boules in Loge-Fougereuse
Starting from the church square, walkers will discover along the route a stunning view of the Monts de Gâtine, the Pont de la Rénardière, the Chemin de la Vigne des Boules, the Bois des Dortières, the Château de la Goujonnerie and the Chemin de l’Étang.
81 per cent of the route consists of unpaved paths or tracks.
Saumort to Autise footbridge trail
A route close to the river with beautiful shaded paths.
The Autise and Saumort valleys via Roc Cervelle
This route follows paths that run alongside the Autise and Saumort rivers in the heart of unspoilt countryside. Very pleasant in fine weather, some sections of these paths can sometimes be flooded or difficult in wet weather.
The Racounette Wash House
Beautiful views and a few wash houses enhance this route, the first part of which is shared with the Logis de Pichenin trail.
From La Chancelée to L’Autise
A pleasant walk around the Autize valley offering beautiful views and varied landscapes. The village of Xaintray and its hamlets feature many renovated old houses, lending the village a certain charm. Gorre Castle and the wash houses complete the built heritage. The Autize and Chancelée valleys are areas of unspoilt natural beauty.
From the church at Xaintray to the Logis de Pichenin
A circular route that takes you from sunny country lanes to shaded paths and tracks on either side of the Autize valley.
The footbridge known as the ‘planche de la route’, which spans the Autize at the bottom of the Rousillon woods, has been swept away by the floods of recent weeks.
Xaintray Town Hall (20 March 2024)
Chemin des lavoirs in Coulonges-sur-l'Autize
This route will take you past six wash houses located in the towns of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize and Ardin. You will also discover an old kiln, a marble quarry and the large chimney (a remnant of the lime kilns) in Coulonges-sur-l'Autize.
More walks in Vernoux-en-Gâtine
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