Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail

this tour is perfect for the regular walker and no expert navigation skills are needed as the tour is very well waymarked from start to end.

The walking is rated easy-moderate, and although there are a couple of long days, you will be walking on mostly good, flat paths and trails.

There are minimal ascents and descents on the route.

You will be walking on a combination of paved trails, forest paths, grassy paths and quiet country roads.

At times you will be sharing wide paths with cyclists.

This tour is graded easy to moderate, with gentle terrain and minimal ascent or descent, allowing for quick progress and plenty of time in the afternoons to explore the towns and chateaux along the way. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of 3-star hotels and high-quality guesthouses, hand-picked to offer a warm welcome to walkers. If your usual accommodation isn't available, we'll book an alternative of a similar or better standard. It's worth noting that air conditioning isn't always standard in French accommodation along this route.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every morning. In the larger hotels this is a buffet with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli, while in guesthouses it's typically served at the table and includes fresh baguette, croissants, pain au chocolat, butter and homemade jams, sometimes with cold meats, cheese and fruit too. Lunch and dinner aren't included, giving you the freedom to choose each day - you'll find bakeries and shops in every town to stock up for your walks, and plenty of options for dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants. Expect rich, seasonal French cooking, from confit de canard and steak to hearty salads made with local produce. Let us know about any dietary requirements when you book.

This tour is available to start any day of the week between the start of April and the end of October. April and October are quieter shoulder months, with fewer restaurants and amenities open but a more peaceful experience, while August is the busiest month in France for holidaymakers, bringing a lively atmosphere to the towns along the way. July and August can get very hot, so carry plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and consider setting off early in the morning to beat the midday heat.

Your bags are collected from your accommodation and moved on to your next overnight stop as per your itinerary. This route's current site content doesn't specify a maximum weight limit for luggage transfers.

All of the walks on this tour are waymarked.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. From here, take a TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, France's intercity high-speed rail service) to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (around 2 hours), then a local train via Tours to Chinon (around 1.5 hours). TGV services also leave from Paris Montparnasse, if you're staying in Paris before heading to the Loire. For your return from Chinon, take a train to any other French destination, or back to the Charles de Gaulle airport.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport. Your accommodation can often help arrange this, or you're welcome to contact our UK office for assistance.

Local city taxes may apply at some accommodations along this route. These are paid directly to your accommodation, typically a few euros per person per night.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation