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Xanton-Chassenon walks
La vallée de l'Autise à Xanton
Association / Club / Walk leader 
3.20 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Xanton-Chassenon (Vendée)
Une petite boucle sans difficulté avec des sentiers et des chemins qui traversent des prairies en longeant l'Autise jusqu'à Denant puis retour par une piste cyclable à travers les champs.
Meilleraie loop to Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq
Visorando Member 
4.65 mi
+177 ft
-148 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (Vendée)
Hike around La Meilleraie with a mostly shaded first section and some unpaved paths, forming a pleasant green tunnel in summer. The second part of the circuit is more open, with a section on the plain. This second part can be avoided by going directly from point (6) to point (9).
Le Gué Verdon
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.95 mi
+240 ft
-230 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (Vendée)
At the start, quiet country lanes with panoramic views of Fontenay-le-Comte and the surrounding countryside; then, after passing through the village of Meilleraie, shaded paths and tracks running alongside the Vendée river not far from the Albert dam, before climbing up to Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq.
Jean dôs Bois Trail
Association / Club / Walk leader 
7.45 mi
+535 ft
-554 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (Vendée)
Starting from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq, 5 km north of Fontenay-le-Comte, you will first walk along shaded paths around the Vendée and its tributary, the Ruisseau de la Cornelière. (difficult section, uneven path) then, passing by the Fontaine à l'Ermite, you will cross part of the Mervent forest and reach Saint-Michel via quiet paths and small roads, with beautiful panoramic views.
The Bois Riveau and Grands Bois route
Visorando Member 
3.83 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Bouillé-Courdault (Vendée)
Merger of two very well-marked routes, marked in two colours: yellow-orange and yellow-blue.
The route is mostly shaded and very pleasant in the Poitevin marshes!
Around the Autize via Les Moulières and Tourteron
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.67 mi
+390 ft
-413 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Pompain (Deux-Sèvres)
A route that follows the River Autize, passes near Château des Moulières, then takes a footpath and reaches the village of Tourteron via agricultural tracks. After a detour to the fountain and wash house in Tourteron, the walk continues across the plain dotted with wind turbines, then follows or runs alongside an old railway line, passes under a viaduct and returns along the meadows bordering the Autize to the Moulin de Dray before climbing back up to Saint-Pompain.
Urban circular in Fontenay le Comte
Visorando Member 
6.93 mi
+112 ft
-131 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée)
A superb hike that allows you to discover some of the town centre's attractions and trails, mostly along the Vendée, before returning along a small stream and then an old railway line. There is little elevation gain, making it a very easy route.
The Mervent Dam
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.78 mi
+486 ft
-476 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from L'Orbrie (Vendée)
Circular route through the forest, passing through rolling meadows, then along the Vendée to the dam and the lake shore, on paths and trails that are sometimes a little steep but pleasant in all seasons.
Le Jaulard and La Fontaine à l'Ermite in the Mervent Forest
Association / Club / Walk leader 5.89 mi
+459 ft
-453 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from L'Orbrie (Vendée)
A circular route that takes you off the beaten track in the heart of the Mervent State Forest, suitable for all seasons. Shortcuts are possible. The GPX track can be very useful.
The Hermit's Fountain Trail
Association / Club / Walk leader 
3.67 mi
+184 ft
-180 ft
1h 50
Difficult
Departure from L'Orbrie (Vendée)
Starting from the Fontaine-à-l'Ermite roundabout, the trail joins the lake shore and then follows the left bank of the Vendée river up to the Perrure bridge, before climbing up to the Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite, which will take you back to the starting point.
Please note that the trail is uneven and involves climbing over rocks along the Vendée.
From Orbrie along the Vendée
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.96 mi
+577 ft
-597 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from L'Orbrie (Vendée)
A lovely circular walk along the River Vendée and through the Mervent Forest. This circular walk will take you to the Mervent Dam, following part of the Mélusine GRP®.
On the edge of the Gâtine region in Coulonges-sur-l'Aurize
Visorando Member 7.25 mi
+207 ft
-226 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Coulonges-sur-l'Autize (Deux-Sèvres)
South-west of the Gâtine Parthenaise, starting from Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, this hike takes you from the plains of southern Vendée to the more hilly Gâtine Parthenaise, from farmland to bocage.
Lake Mervent - Citardière Château - Pont du déluge
Visorando Member 
4.41 mi
+174 ft
-174 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Mervent (Vendée)
There are many pedestrian paths to discover in Mervent forest.
The tour of La Mère via the Grotte du Père de Montford
Visorando Member 
7.67 mi
+577 ft
-571 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Mervent (Vendée)
This hike is accessible to all hikers, with a few minor difficulties and one section off the trail, but no major hazards.It starts in the village of Mervent, which overlooks the River La Mêre. A superb viewpoint at the top of the castle ruins offers a view of the meandering river and the surrounding forest.
Chemin des lavoirs in Coulonges-sur-l'Autize
Visorando Member 9.58 mi
+200 ft
-200 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Coulonges-sur-l'Autize (Deux-Sèvres)
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.
Sentier de la Citardière - Mervent Forest
Visorando Member 
6.87 mi
+600 ft
-584 ft
3h 40
Easy
Departure from Mervent (Vendée)
A short walk in the Forest of Mervent and along the River Mère.
Around Pissotte
Visorando Member 
6.83 mi
+413 ft
-410 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Pissotte (Vendée)
A relatively easy hike with an initial open section along the Vendée towards Fontenay-le-Comte, then back along an old disused railway line. The second section begins with a crossing of vineyards, then immediately enters the forest with paths and trails.
Around the Jeune Autise in Maillezais
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.94 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Maillezais (Vendée)
This path between the "wet" and "dry" marshes, passing by a characteristic feature of the marsh (the Aqueduct), will take you from the Romanesque church to the majestic Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Maillezais.
Route des Vals d'Autise
Visorando Member 22.13 mi
+43 ft
-43 ft
3 hrs
Easy
Departure from Maillezais (Vendée)
An easy route offering a chance to explore different aspects of the Poitevin Marshes: town, farmland, meadows and its famous canals. You can stop to visit the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Maillezais.
The Père de Montfort Cave in the Mervent Forest
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.25 mi
+554 ft
-558 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Pissotte (Vendée)
From the Saint-Luc roundabout, you will walk along long forest paths to a trail overlooking the Vergnes stream and leading to the Pierre Brune dam. You will then climb stone steps to the Grotte du Père de Montfort and finish the ascent via a wooden staircase. You will then walk along the Mère to the Diet Bridge and join theGR® de Pays de Mélusine, which will take you back to your starting point.
In the Mervent forest along the Vendée
Visorando Member 
9.89 mi
+643 ft
-617 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Pissotte (Vendée)
After exploring the Mervent National Forest, a lesser-known but slightly wilder route along the Mervent dam reservoir. Let's set off to explore the banks of the Vendée, passing by the Fontaine à l'Ermite, the Balingue and the Sauvaget site. Quite a programme.
Discovering the Mervent State Forest
Visorando Member 
10.23 mi
+883 ft
-883 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Pissotte (Vendée)
A superb hike through the largest forest in the Vendée. The terrain is varied but not particularly difficult, making it a hiker's paradise. Beautiful paths, a dam lake, a climbing site, a leisure park, a hidden cave, remarkable bridges and trees, and a forest that has been explored for many years: this is what I invite you to discover.
La Garenne - Courdault in the wild marshlands
Visorando Member 
5.24 mi
+13 ft
-10 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Benet (Vendée)
A short route through the wild marshes of Courdault.
Circular path in the wet marshes of Doix-lès-Fontaines
Visorando Member 
7.03 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Doix (Vendée)
An easy hike that takes you along the levees created four centuries ago by man to protect the drained marshes from river flooding. You will walk through a landscape entirely created by man, with plantations of pollarded or topped ash trees and rows of trees (poplars) lining the canals.We are in the wet marsh: the route may be impassable in late autumn and winter on a small section. (see practical information).
Walk at Port d'Aziré
Association / Club / Walk leader 
1.29 mi
+7 ft
-7 ft
0h 35
Easy
Departure from Benet (Vendée)
This is an easy, short walk that allows you to discover the wild side of the Green Venice. In the heart of nature, you will always be close to the water, in the shade of pollarded ash trees and poplars. And you may even be lucky enough to spot some nutria or deer.
From Port d'Aziré to Marais des Nattes
Association / Club / Walk leader 
5.89 mi
+7 ft
-7 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Benet (Vendée)
Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.
Pierre Brune and Pierre Blanche
Association / Club / Walk leader 
6.39 mi
+509 ft
-486 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Vouvant (Vendée)
A hike best enjoyed in the warmer months on shaded trails in the heart of the Mervent Forest.After a steep climb up the Rocher de Pierre Brune, you’ll reach the viewpoint overlooking the Pierre Blanche climbing site via forest paths and a short stretch of road. You will then descend to the banks of the river known as the Mère, before following the course of the Ruisseau des Verreries to reach the Maison Forestière of the same name. You will discover the Cinq Jumeaux before reaching the Pierre Brune Dam by following part ofthe GRP® Tour du Pays de Mélusine.
Les Peux and the Chemin du Lisier
Association / Club / Walk leader 
3.48 mi
+115 ft
-115 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Benet (Vendée)
From the ruins of the old fortified castle, passing by the Church of Sainte-Eulalie (a listed historic monument), follow the Peux, a network of small footpaths with evocative names: Peu des Demoiselles, Peu des Ânesses, Peu de chez Gognar, Peu de Gâte-Bourse… you will discover the village of Benet, which stretches across two hills crossed by Rue de la Combe, beneath which flows the Vrizon.