Loop in the Avallonnais and Morvan regions via Vézelay and Lac du Crescent

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Immerse yourself in the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park! Explore enchanting trails through mystical forests, green hills and crystal-clear rivers. Soak up the tranquillity and unspoilt beauty of these places. Marvel at breathtaking panoramas, observe a diverse range of flora and fauna, discover authentic villages such as Vézelay and finally relax by the Lac du Crescent.

Whether you are a keen hiker or simply looking to get away from it all, this getaway to the Morvan is an invitation to wonder and serenity. Put on your walking shoes and set off on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature.

Details

n°34993926
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 37.79 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,383 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,350 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,355 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 466 ft

Photos

Forêt de pins
Chemin et champs

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Avallon - Asquins

    ↔9.26 mi ↗1,033 ft ↘1,155 ft
    Pour cette première journée. Plongez au cœur du Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan entre Avallon et Asquins. Explorez des sentiers enchanteurs traversant des forêts mystiques, des collines verdoyantes et des rivières cristallines. Vous devez suivre la vallée du Cousin jusqu'au Pontaubert et ensuite traverser champs et forêts pour arriver à Asquins, petit village surplombé par la cité médiévale de Vézelay.
    View the route
  2. 2

    Asquins - Vézelay - Lac du Crescent

    ↔17.92 mi ↗2,753 ft ↘2,290 ft
    Pour cette 2e étape, nous passerons par Asquins, Vézelay et le Lac du Crescent. Vous emprunterez entre autres le GR®13, le GR®654 (Voie de Vézelay) et le GRP® Tour du Morvan. Vous traverserez des paysages pittoresques, des villages médiévaux et des collines verdoyantes. Imprégnez-vous de l'atmosphère spirituelle de Vézelay et contemplez les vues panoramiques sur la vallée de la Cure. Enfin, atteignez le Lac du Crescent, où vous pourrez vous ressourcer au milieu d'une nature préservée.
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  3. E
    Lac du Crescent - Avallon

    Lac du Crescent - Avallon

    ↔10.61 mi ↗604 ft ↘909 ft
    Third and final stage of the Avallon-Vézelay-Lac du Crescent-Avallon loop. You will leave Lac du Crescent and head into the countryside and forests of the Morvan for the last time. This final stage of the loop takes us back to Avallon after a pleasant walk, where you will find the River Cousin.
    View the route

Notes

All routes were recorded in the field in May 2023.

Start and stages:

Avallon seems to be the ideal starting point. The town is easily accessible by train and car.

Food

You can buy food at the following places:

  • Avallon: numerous mini-markets in the town centre.
  • Asquins: Proxi Marché Asquins.
  • Vézelay: plenty of shops.

Water

You will pass through many villages with cemeteries and fountains (where you can fill your water bottles). Alternatively, feel free to ring the doorbell at a local’s house

Accommodation

  1. A fairly comprehensive list of available accommodation is provided by the Parc du Morvan website. It is advisable to book in advance. Credit cards are not always accepted. Please ensure you have an alternative method of payment.
  2. Camping and bivouacking: in Asquins, at the municipal campsite. At Lac du Crescent, a night in a tent may be an option (Note: bring your own equipment).

Internet, 4G, dead zones

There are areas with no mobile coverage on certain sections of the route. If you are using Visorando or, more generally, your phone and GPS for navigation, it is essential to download your maps at the start of each stage.
So be careful and plan ahead.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

On the route:

  • Cousin Valley
  • Vézelay: visit the basilica, the city ramparts and the shopping street.
  • Cure Valley
  • Lac du Crescent: swimming and relaxing by the lake.
  • Avallon

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.

Other walks in the area

Walking The Cousin Valley starting from Avallon

Visorando Member
La vallée du Cousin au départ d'Avallon
↔5.03 mi ↗+177 ft ↘-184 ft ◔2h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Avallon (Yonne)
This “challenging” round-trip hike follows the River Cousin as closely as possible between Avallon and Pontaubert. Various signs along the route provide information on the work carried out to restore and maintain the habitat necessary for fish reproduction.

Walking The woods tour between Avallon and Marrault

Visorando Member
Le tour des bois entre Avallon et Marrault
↔10.27 mi ↗+735 ft ↘-732 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Avallon (Yonne)
This walk is almost entirely through forest on the outskirts of Avallon, with a few sections on the road. The first part is mainly in forest, while the second part is more open, bordering meadows and pastures.

Walking Cousin Valley in Avallon

Visorando Member
Vallée du Cousin à Avallon
↔10.42 mi ↗+1,175 ft ↘-1,184 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Avallon (Yonne)
The title of the hike refers to the two main attractions: the Cousin valley and the old town of Avallon. The rest of the walk takes you along pleasant forest and country paths, offering different views of these two highlights of local tourism.

Walking A walk through fields, woods and along the river at Pontaubert

Visorando Member
↔8.53 mi ↗+522 ft ↘-525 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pontaubert (Yonne)
This is a walk that takes you along small roads, numerous paths and, towards the end, alongside the River Cure. This walk offers varied scenery, is not difficult and features a well-distributed elevation gain. Away from the town and the tourists, let yourself be guided through the countryside, amongst the trees and to the sound of flowing water.

Walking Montmartre Hill and the Three Linden Trees from Vault-de-Lugny

Visorando Member
↔3.40 mi ↗+679 ft ↘-676 ft ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Vault-de-Lugny (Yonne)
Montmarte Hill offers stunning views of the Avallon region, hidden treasures, and the village of Vault-de-Lugny, which it overlooks.

Walking Around Montmartre

Visorando Member
↔8.34 mi ↗+823 ft ↘-823 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vault-de-Lugny (Yonne)
Start from the church in Vault-de-Lugny, where the paintings were restored in 2017, and head to the summit of Montmarte. Return via Château de Domecy.

Walking The Cousin Valley starting from Magny

Visorando Member
La vallée du Cousin au départ de Magny
↔6.67 mi ↗+604 ft ↘-587 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Magny (Yonne) (Yonne)
This relaxing route, which is entirely shaded except between points (6) and (7) (approx. 600 m), offers a pleasant way to follow the course of the river and discover a fly-fishing route.

Walking Boucle de la Rivière le Cousin depuis Magny

Visorando Member
Boucle de la Rivière le Cousin depuis Magny
↔7.32 mi ↗+686 ft ↘-702 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Magny (Yonne) (Yonne)
Accessible à deux tours de roue d'Avallon, la commune de Magny est un village paisible peu fréquenté. Voici une petite randonnée rafraîchissante dans la forêt, le long de la rivière avec quelques montées faciles et idéalement réparties sur le trajet.

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