Villepail walks

The Chapelle de Bon Secours trail consists of no less than 89 per cent dirt tracks. It follows the ancient Roman road that linked Gué Saint-Léonard to Mayenne. A short detour is recommended to the Tourbière des Égoutelles, a regional nature reserve. This two-hectare site, situated in a former Armorican sandstone quarry, is home to over a hundred rare plant species, including carnivorous plants such as sundews, round-leaved sundews and the Portuguese butterwort.

The village of Crennes-sur-Fraubée, situated on the southern slope of the Corniche de Pail, offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. This route, 88% of which is on dirt tracks, is one of the most beautiful walks in the Mont des Avaloirs area.

The village of Saint-Aignan-de-Couptrain is the starting point for two circular walks that will take you through unspoilt hedgerow countryside. Both routes follow dirt tracks for 90 per cent of the way. Here is one of these circular walks. The second: The ‘Boucle des herbages’ circular walk from Saint-Aignan-de-Couptrain

A very pretty trail in the Merdereau valley, through the forest and over the hills of Averton, with some panoramic views and good dirt tracks covering 73% of the route.

Immerse yourself in nature at the heart of the Mont des Avaloirs Regional Nature Reserve! At 416 metres high, Mont des Avaloirs, the highest point in western France, takes you to the summit of the Armorican Massif. You are in the heart of the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park and Geopark. On the poor soil of Armorican sandstone, the dominant habitats are heathland and deciduous woodland. In this gentle, low-lying landscape, you’ll also find meadows, peat bogs and scree slopes. Current inventories list over 2,000 species, several of which are heritage species such as the European Nightjar and the Montagu’s Harrier. Numerous routes set off from this particularly well-preserved natural environment, dotted with magnificent sites. This trail offers a total immersion in nature, with themed stops to trace the thread of history, discover the wildlife and flora, and understand how the landscapes have evolved. Along the way, new views unfold!

A hike starting from the iconic Mont des Avaloirs viewpoint, offering a beautiful route through the Multonne forest. Before or after the hike, be sure to climb the 108 steps of the building for an exceptional 360° view and, as you ascend, discover the brightly coloured street art by Seb Toussaint, a Franco-British graffiti artist. Route of the Mont des Avaloirs Community of Communes.

A very lovely walk in the Buttes d’Hardanges, a Sensitive Natural Area, between the villages of Ribay and Hardanges. This former military zone is now a true haven of peace and offers a vast array of natural meadows, wet heathland, dry heathland, peat bogs and valley floors.

The goal of this hike, which can be done as a circular or round trip, is none other than the highest point in western France, at... 416 metres above sea level. From the viewpoint that has been built there, you can enjoy a 360° panorama and, on a very clear day, you can see the silhouette of Mont Saint-Michel, about a hundred kilometres away.

In the heart of the Alpes Mancelles, discover this hike in an exceptional natural setting: the Canyon des Toyères. Between Sarthe and Mayenne, discover landscapes where nature reigns supreme.

The meandering Sarthe route takes you through the Alpes Mancelles from Saint-Léonard-des-Bois via Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

This hilly route between Saint-Léonard-des-Bois and Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei will introduce you to these two typical towns in the Alpes Mancelles, as well as unique landscapes and places.

From the banks of the Sarthe to the animal park on the Narbonne Plateau, this route offers all the charm of a mountain hike. Its steep paths, scree slopes, the small stream winding its way through the valley, the panoramic views... The Misère Valley, Haut-Fourché, Manoir de l'Linthe and the village of Saint-Léonard-des-Bois confirm this impression. A visit to the church and two typical houses rounds off this route, 98% of which is on dirt tracks.

This route will allow you to discover the commune of Saint-Georges-le-Gaultier, located in the canton of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe in the heart of the Alpes Mancelles. You will discover nature and heritage: church, viaduct, archaic crosses, etc.

In the northern Mayenne countryside, Lassay-les-Châteaux is a small town that is well worth a visit. As you walk along the surrounding paths, a few signposts invite you to follow in the footsteps of Lancelot through meadows, forests and the remains of three castles. An easy walk on well-maintained paths and a few country roads.

Come and explore the sunken paths of Bais, which will take you up to the ridges of Mont Rochard.Nearby, don’t miss a visit to Montesson Castle.This route is signposted No. 37 on yellow directional signs.

A superb circular walk starting from the ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ of Lassay-les-Châteaux, voted France’s third favourite village in 2023. 94 per cent dirt tracks and some wonderful heritage sites to discover along the way: Lassay Castle, Bois Thibault Castle and the ruins of Bois Frou.An interpretative trail based on the legend of Lancelot du Lac enhances this route with several stops featuring information panels on themes from Arthurian legend. The Château de Bois Thibault, open during the tourist season (weekends and public holidays only), features a magnificent round table and a comic strip depicting the legend of the famous knight Lancelot.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful walks in the Lassay-les-Châteaux area. Lots of sunken paths, some woodland and a stream.

This route will take you through the hills of the Coëvrons and allow you to discover the beauty of the sunken paths in our region.

Come and explore the sunken paths of Izé and the surrounding area on this 8.6 km circular walk. This walk is signposted with yellow directional signs marked “No. 36 – Route du Bois d’Izé”. You can combine this route with route no. 35: “Circuit de la Vaudelle”.

This 15 km route will take you through the magnificent sunken lanes of Hambers. It is ideal for all nature lovers: on foot, by bike, or even on horseback! This route is marked "No. 24" on the yellow directional signs.

This route will take you along pretty sunken paths and up into the hills. It is signposted with yellow directional signs: No. 38 – on the Crêtes d’Hambers. You can combine this route with No. 24 – the Hambers circular route.

Gain some height on this beautiful heritage walk.

A lovely walk with a succession of paths, sometimes through the forest and sometimes along sunken lanes. You will also follow a section of theGR®365. This walk is signposted with yellow directional signs marked “No. 41 – Collines et vallée d’Orthe”

A beautiful walk that runs alongside the Village du Cheval and then enters the forest via a path offering beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. It then crosses the Saint-Ortaire priory and returns to the centre of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, passing by the lake and the casino on the way back to the car park.

Short family hike, forest with its discovery trail, tour of the Grand Pond, the Étang Neuf, the Étang des Molières and perhaps enjoy the activities offered by the information point.

Starting from the centre of Jublains, this walk will allow you to discover the Gallo-Roman remains of the town as well as the Chapel of Doucé.

A 40km circular route over 2 days, to discover (or rediscover) the countryside of northern Sarthe and the Sillé-le-Guillaume national forest.

A walk to discover (or rediscover) the countryside of northern Sarthe and the Sillé-le-Guillaume national forest.

This route, which has little elevation gain, is an opportunity to discover typical villages and hamlets with rich granite architecture. This route is marked "No. 22" on the yellow directional signs.

Sillé-le-Guillaume, a Petite Cité de Caractère® located 35 km north-west of Le Mans, is a former stronghold of the Haut-Maine region on the border between Normandy and Brittany. It developed around its castle and collegiate church. It became famous in the20th century for its ‘Coco Plage’ leisure and swimming centre. This walk will allow you to explore the Sillé State Forest and its lakes. Extend your outing with a visit to the town and its castle.

How about setting off on a walk from a peaceful pond, heading towards ancient hamlets? Here, nature shows you its best side, and you’ll discover magnificent views. This 17 km route is suitable for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers and is signposted “No. 21” on the yellow directional signs.