Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail

If you are looking to explore the Loire and its Châteaux away from the bus tours and large groups, then this itinerary is perfect for you. See all the highlights as well as experiencing quiet walking trails, where you have a real sense of getting off the beaten track. This tour is ideal for foodies; the gastronomy is a delight. 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. Stay in welcoming, high-quality 3* hotels and guesthouses.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

This tour is rated easy-moderate. You will be walking between 13.5 and 20 km each day, but the ascent/descent is negligible, making for quick progress. This allows for a short day of walking and plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the Châteaux and towns along the way. 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.

Spend 6 nights in 3* hotels and high-quality guesthouses. The accommodation is hand-picked and offers a warm welcome to walkers. You will find an example of the accommodation we usually book below. If these are not available, we will use accommodation of a similar or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers. Single rooms and double rooms for single occupancy are available should someone in your party wish to have their own room. (supplements applicable)

Meals

6 Breakfasts are included in your trip. In the larger hotels, breakfast is buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. In guesthouses, breakfast will normally be served at the table and again will consist of fresh baguette, croissants, pain au chocolat, butter and homemade jams, and occasionally cold meats, cheese and fruits.

Dinners and lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Food is synonymous with French culture and your week in the Loire is as much a gastronomic journey as it is a walking one! Expect rich dishes of confit de canard, steak, hearty salads and creative dishes made from seasonal and local produce. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking.

All of the walks are way-marked and we also  provide you with turn-by-turn instructions for each walk, maps and access to our GPS smartphone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.

You can start your adventure on any day of the week between the start of April and the end of October. The shoulder months of April and October may be considerably quieter than the summer months, with fewer restaurants and amenities open, but for those looking for a quieter experience, this may be ideal. August is the busiest month in France for holiday makers, so expect a vibrant atmosphere in the towns along the way. The summer months, July and August, can be very hot, so it is important to carry plenty of water, wear hats and sunscreen and consider setting off earliy in the morning to avoid the midday heat. 

Most international airlines fly into Paris Charles De Gaulle. From here, take a TGV (Train á Grande Vitesse), France’s intercity high speed railway service to Saint Pierre des Corps (2 hours). Then take a local train via Tours to Chinon (1.5 hours). There are also TGV’s leaving from Paris Montparnasse should you be staying in Paris before heading to the Loire. For more information and guidance, check: www.sncf.com/en

From Amboise you can travel by train to any other French destination, or back to the CDG airport.