There's no shortage of beautiful walks in Vendée, as the department offers a wide variety of landscapes. From coastal paths along the Atlantic coast, to island hikes, to refreshing walks in the Marais Poitevin, there's something for everyone.
1. The Piquet valleys
- Distance: 6.6 km
- Height difference: 85 m
- Walkingtime: 1 h 30
- Itinerary
This easy hike takes you effortlessly through the superb scenery of the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park, a must-see in the Vendée. Best of all, the trail is very well signposted. You'll be walking mainly in woodland and alongside streams, making it ideal for hot weather. Along the way, you'll find several picnic tables, so we recommend you pack a little snack.
2. Tour of Lac du Graon, one of the most beautiful walks in the Vendée
- Distance: 11.9 km
- Difference in altitude: 185 m
- Duration: 3 h
- Itinerary
Lac du Graon is a pleasant watering hole in the Marais Poitevin. This gentle hiking trail leads around it from the village of Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon. It's also possible to cycle this route. Here again, you can picnic around the lake. After the effort, you'll also have the chance to take advantage of the many water sports on offer in this ecological destination : kayaking, swimming, pedal-boating, fishing..
3. The GR®8
- Distance: 266 km
- Difference in altitude: 528 m
- Duration: 10 to 15 days
- Itinerary
The GR®8 is one of France's most popular long-distance hiking trails. It follows on from the GR®34, which runs along the Breton coastline. The GR®8 continues along the Atlantic coast to the Basque Country. However, the itinerary we are proposing covers only an extended section of the Vendée and Loire-Atlantique regions. More precisely, it stretches between Charron and Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. It's an exceptionally flat trail, and therefore rather easy despite its distance, which will require around two weeks' walking. Along the way, you'll be able to spend the night at some lovely campsites in the Vendée.
4. La pointe du Payré, one of the most beautiful walks in Vendée
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Height difference: 50 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Itinerary
La pointe du Payré is a great family hike in Vendée, not only because it's easy and short, but also because it passes some of France's most beautiful beaches, where you can enjoy a swim to reward your efforts. Indeed, these are typical Vendée landscapes, where a freshwater estuary meets the Atlantic amidst dunes and heather. Best of all, this is a loop itinerary, so you'll discover a new, more inland trail on the way back.
5. The Sèvre Nantaise loop
- Distance: 8.4 km
- Difference in altitude: 185 m
- Duration: 2 h 30
- Itinerary
This is a lovely Vendée hike, ideal in summer as you'll often be walking in the shade along the refreshing water. You'll follow the course of the Sèvre Nantaise along a looped route back to the starting point. This is an easy trail, requiring no equipment other than hiking boots, to avoid slipping if the path is wet, and possibly walking poles, if you like Nordic walking.
6. The Pays de Monts forest at Saint-Jean-de-Monts, one of the most beautiful hikes in Vendée
- Distance: 6.1 km
- Height difference: 34 m
- Duration : 1 h 30
- Itinerary
This hike is one of the best things to do in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, because it's both pleasant and easy. It forms a loop in the heart of the Pays de Monts state forest, which is a pine forest bordering the dunes of the Vendée coastline. You'll pass a number of beaches, notably the Plage d'Yeu, where you can take a refreshing dip.
7. Mervent-Vouvant state forest
- Distance: 38.8 km
- Difference in altitude: 810 m
- Time: 10 hrs
- Itinerary
Beware, this beautiful Vendée hike is also one of the most difficult in the département! The trail is particularly long, and will require a day's walk, unless you choose to discover it by mountain bike instead. This looped route explores the Mervent-Vouvant state forest, which is shaded and criss-crossed by paths and streams, making it an ideal hiking destination in warm weather. Because of its length, this trail is also popular with runners wishing to train for a marathon. In this case, you'll need trail shoes, as the forest floor can be covered in leaves and therefore slippery. Another advantage of this trail is that it is generally not very busy!
8. Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, one of the most beautiful walks in Vendée
- Distance: 6.6 km
- Height difference: 46 m
- Duration: 1 h 30
- Itinerary
We love the Vendée of land and sea, but it's also full of pretty little towns! So this is an urban itinerary, a stroll through Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. More precisely, you'll walk along the Garenne jetty, an overhang built in 1839 from a dune to prevent sandbanks from forming at the entrance to the charming commune's harbour. You then form a loop back to the starting point. Again, this is a great Vendée hike for families, as it's very easy and pleasant.
9. Bois de la Chaise and La Clère beach in Noirmoutier
- Distance: 7.7 km
- Height difference: 50 m
- Duration: 2 hrs
- Itinerary
This hike forms a loop to the north of the island of Noirmoutier. It mainly follows the coastline, so you can take breaks for a swim or picnic on the beach, notably at Plage de la Clère. This extensive beach is perfect for a sunbathing break, and is quite popular in summer. The trail also includes a shady passage through the forest, offering an interesting diversity of landscapes.
10. La Chaume in the Marais d'Olonne, one of the most beautiful walks in Vendée
- Distance: 25.3 km
- Difference in altitude: 211 m
- Duration: 6 hrs
- Itinerary
This beautiful hike in the Vendée has to be earned, as it requires almost a full day's walk to complete its 25 km! Fortunately, this out-and-back trail doesn't include any major climbs, but rather a difference in altitude evenly distributed throughout its length. You can also choose to do it on a mountain bike. Whether on foot or by bike, you'll be able to admire the magnificent natural landscapes of Les Sables-d'Olonne, made up of forests and salt marshes, not forgetting the Atlantic coastline at the start of the route. There areseveral campsites, gîtes and hotels along the route, so you can also choose to complete it in two or even three days for a more leisurely pace.
11. The woods of La Tranche-sur-Mer
- Distance: 5.8 km
- Height difference: 56 m
- Duration : 1 h 30
- Itinerary
Another hike in the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park, this time in the heart of the woods of La Tranche-sur-Mer. This small coastal town is a popular seaside resort, offering not only hiking but also a variety of activities, such as sailing, cycling, surfing or simply swimming on one of its beautiful beaches.
You'll hike all the way to the Atlantic, then back along another path, forming a loop all the way back to the starting point. This is an easy walk, with virtually no ascent and a relatively short duration. It is therefore perfectly suited to children or beginners. Another significant advantage is that this trail remains relatively uncrowded, even in high season.
