Parks and gardens along the Yerres
Departure from Crosne (Essonne)
This walk starts in Crosne, goes through the Grange Forest and then through the town of Yerres before reaching Park Caillebotte where the painter lived. The walk goes along the Yerres River and finishes by going alongside the communal gardens in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
Mills and Menhirs along the river Yerres
Departure from Brunoy (Essonne)
This hike mostly takes place along the Yerres, a tributary of the Seine, and also includes a section in the Forest of Senart and an urban section. There you can enjoy the charm of this river and the beautiful houses around it, admire two ancient watermills and come cross no fewer than four standing stones along the way.
The Three Rivers Hike
Departure from Épinay-sur-Orge (Essonne)
Hike around Epinay sur Orge (a small town south of Paris) from the train station of the RER C.
It follows paths and quiet streets, heads through Bois des Templiers and follows the courses of three rivers: the Orge, the Rouillon and the Yvette. A trail through the Bois des Templiers with views of an old stone bridge with three arches of the ancient Templar Commandery of the eleventh century.
Le Quartier Latin and Sainte-Geneviève Mountain
Departure from Paris
Le Quartier Latin is a labyrinth of streets, each as important as the next, as there is a strong history behind. The Sainte-Geneviève Mountain is home to several prestigious schools, and the presence of numerous students adds to the atmosphere of this magnificent suburb.
On the French Revolution routes in the heart of Paris
Departure from Paris
An urban circular walk in search of the French Revolution routes in two Parisian sites: the Bastille, whose capture had a very strong symbolic impact, and the Odéon suburb, where several key figures of the period lived, worked and gathered, including Marat and Danton. It's also an opportunity to discover the signs of other insurrectionary episodes (July 1830, May 1968) and a superb heritage ranging from the Gallo-Roman to the Middle Ages period.
Bièvre Valley - Château de Versailles
Departure from Igny (Essonne) (Essonne)
Hike connecting Igny (Essonne) to the Palace of Versailles. The route follows the Bievre, and 80% of the route is on roads through forests. A calm, cool walk with scenery that will leave you with a unique souvenir.
From Porte Dauphine to Bercy
Departure from Paris
A walk through Paris exploring the Left Bank and its quartiers.
The Viaduc des Fauvettes and the Forêt de Gif-sur-Yvette
Departure from Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
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.
The Tête Ronde Forest and Saint-Aubin Wood
Departure from Villiers-le-Bâcle (Essonne)
A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.
Following the Bièvre river through Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in Igny
Departure from Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Yvelines)
The upstream part of this series of three hikes devoted to the Bièvre river. A very pleasant walk along the river and its bodies of water, in a mostly rural setting. A hike from station to station, which can be used to adjust the length depending on the weather conditions or desires of the hikers.
In the Chevreuse Valley
Departure from Chevreuse (Yvelines)
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 vicinity of the confluence of the Marne and the Grand Morin
Departure from Esbly (Seine-et-Marne)
A hike mostly along rivers with a connection by the slopes of the Grand Morin and Marne valleys offering beautiful views of the region. Crossing through some of the villages, including Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames and Quincy-Voisins, lets you explore some interesting elements of their architectural heritage.
An outing is the Créçois Country
Departure from Saint-Germain-sur-Morin (Seine-et-Marne)
A hike through the vast open areas of the Briarde countryside with large rolling hills and views as far as the eye can see, followed by shaded areas in the valley and on the Grand Morin hillsides. Pieces of the architectural heritage along the way, churches, mills and wash-houses, make the trip that more worthwhile.
The hike can be shortened to a 15 km walk, or split into two, one 8 km and the other 12 km (see useful information).
Hike in Fontainebleau forest: a tour of the Apremont Gorges
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Fontainebleau forest is one of the most beautiful French forests thanks to its varied landscapes and, in particular, its sandstone blocks. This hike circles the Apremont gorges along the Colinet-Denecourt path N°6 and lets you enjoy it in all its beauty and fragility, the latter due both to natural erosion and human use, and is near the Paris region.
Station to station in the Forest of Fontainebleau: ponds and boulders
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Long but very nice hike station to station in the Forest of Fontainebleau. It goes through several viewpoints, ponds, little known corners, stunning scenery.
The Forêt de Montmorency and its Southwest border
Departure from Montlignon (Val-d'Oise)
A walk in the larger Val d'Oise forest, located only 20 kilometres north of Paris. Chestnut trees are plentiful in this hilly area with ponds and historical sites. A walk to the southwest border will let you discover some interesting features of the local heritage.
Les Gorges de Franchard and l'Antre des Druides
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Starting from an old retreat which has been visited since the 11th century, this hike allows you to explore the Gorges de Franchard and the surrounding areas. Winding through rocks and several rock shelters such as the well-known Antre des Druides.
N.B. The difference in altitude is probably higher than stated: roughly 100 metres and a 2 hour walk.
The Rocher du Long Boyau and the Gorges du Houx
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
From the Ermitage de Franchard, this is a very varied hike which will take you past old sandstone quarries, the Gorges du Houx and the charming Mare aux Pigeons. On the route are several vast viewing points, numerous spectacular rocks and the curious Grotte du Serment cave.
N.B. The elevation and the time shown appear to be under-estimated: count on about 250 meters and 4 hours of walking.
In the Massif des Trois Pignons
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (Seine-et-Marne)
The Massif des Trois Pignons is situated on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. The walk takes you past the Rocher des Guetteurs, the Sables du Cul du Chien, the Diplodocus, and the Rocher de la Tortue.
Sentier des Belvédères
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (Seine-et-Marne)
A course over hills, with beautiful views of the Massif des Trois Pignons. Passages on platières in the middle of the moor with an unobstructed view, interspersed with passages in undergrowth and amid boulders. A varied, rather sporty hike.
N.B. The drop is probably underestimated: expect something more in the order of 300 metres.
The Bois de Bombon woods
Departure from Saint-Ouen-en-Brie (Seine-et-Marne)
Bombon is not only a church and a typical village in Plateau Briard but also a castle, and the holiday destination in 1909 for an emigrant known as Vladimir-Ilyich Ulyanov, or Lenin.
Around the Trois Pignons
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (Seine-et-Marne)
A pretty hike in the Massif des Trois Pignons, on the edge of Fontainebleau forest.
Fontainebleau forest: Croix du Calvaire, Denecourt Tower and Sponge Rock
Departure from Avon (Seine-et-Marne)
It is a short, relatively easy circuit exploring some curiosities of the forest of Fontainebleau around the Avon SNCF train station, namely the views over the Croix du Calvaire, the Sponge Rock, Denecourt Tower and fountains. One could also call it the fountain circuit.
The Dourdan via Ouye abbey
Departure from Dourdan (Essonne)
A lovely woodland walk with a cultural touch.
The “Circuit des 25 Bosses” (the 25 Bumps Circuit)
Departure from Le Vaudoué (Seine-et-Marne)
As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer.
N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.
From Maintenon to the Mare aux Fées
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Depart from the Maison Forestière de Maintenon for a 16 km walk.
A great tour of the east of Fontainebleau Forest.
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
This quite long route allows you to discover exceptional sites such as the Rempart du Restant du Long Rocher ('the rampart of the remainder of Long Rock'), Béatrix Cave and Carrosse Rock. You will also go past magnificent viewpoints, rarely visited walkways and some beautiful ponds, typical of the forest.