If you live in Angers or are coming to stay in the area, give your legs a work out and enjoy some fresh air with our selection of 12 nature walks to try in winter. These waymarked trails of 8 to 24 kilometres long are a gentle way to explore the area and enjoy the most beautiful sights around Angers, at your own pace.
Here we share our favourite places for a winter walk within 30 minutes of Angers.
This utterly green walk in the heart of the countryside passes some beautiful old mansions along the way. Stop to admire the horses at the village stud farms.
On your walk:
– Discover the Poissardière stud farm and racing stable of 2004 French team Olympic champion Nicolas Touzaint, and the Courlais stud farm.
– See the beautiful mansion and chapel of the Hameau des Marais.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start location: Salle Hugues Auffray, Chemin de la Plesse, Saint-Clément-de-la-Place
– Distance: 13.3 km / Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
– Trail suitable for bikes
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in nature, in the woods around Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux. Serene and tranquil forest scenery and several lakes await you on this walk.
On your walk:
– Explore the woods of Fouilloux, a favoured place with walkers and joggers.
– Stop for a moment beside Flageolet lake which already existed in the 18th century.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start location: Mairie, Rue du Petit Anjou in Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux
– Distance: 10.6 km / Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
– Trail unsuitable for bikes
In a restful countryside setting, this walk passes agricultural fields, green meadows and through a section of forest.
On your walk:
– Discover the 13th-century presbytery and church of Saint-Jean-de-Linières.
– See the Grand Moulin and Puit des Rocheries, reminders of the agricultural practices of the past.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start location: Espace Galilée car park in Saint-Jean-de-Linières (Saint-Léger-de-Linières)
– Distance: 8.1 km / Time: 2 hrs
– Trail suitable for bikes
Discover the conservatory orchard on this walk, then learn about life in the Middle Ages at the motte and bailey castle in the André Delibes park. The castle is a replica of the 11th-century construction that preceded the fortified castle.
On your walk:
– See the replica 11th-century motte and bailey castle. (currently closed)
– Enjoy a family walk in André Delibes Park, with its 15 hectares of gardens, woods and lake.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start location: Château à Motte car park in Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou (Verrières-en-Anjou) or sports centre car park, Rue du Préhaut in Pellouailles-les-Vignes (Verrières-en-Anjou)
– Distance: 17.5 km / Time: 4 hours 30 minutes – Trail unsuitable for bikes
Looking for a break from the daily grind? Anjou is the perfect destination for a lovely break. Enjoy a breath of fresh air as you cycle through the region.
Discover Avrillé’s neighborhoods and its many parks along country paths.
Things to do on your walk
– Glimpse the Domaine de la Perrière, famous for its 18-hole golf course, but above all for its 17th-century château and large orchard.
– Discover the “green belt” designed to enhance the quality of life of its inhabitants.
– Explore the “Poumons Verts” park with its pond, the Château de la Boissière and majestic trees.
Departure points and practical information
– Departures: Terra Botanica tramway stop in Angers or château de la Perrière parking lot in Avrillé or Parc Des Poumons verts in Avrillé or salle Lino Ventura parking lot in Avrillé
– Distance: 12 km / duration: 3h
– Bike path
Fans of real country walks will love this trail through meadows, undergrowth and typical Angevin woodland.
On your walk:
– Admire Saint-Lambert-la-Potherie church and its ancient Romanesque openings on its northern façade facing the Presbytery garden.
– Pass Domaine des Écots, an upmarket housing estate built in the 1970s.
– Discover the new manufacturing site of local cordial and mint liquor maker Giffard.
– Admire Château de la Chaussée with its Renaissance-style architecture.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start locations: At the church on Rue de l’Aubriaie in Saint-Lambert-la-Potherie or Salle de la coudre, Rue Ferrières in Saint-Léger-des-Bois (Saint-Léger-de-Linières)
– Distance: 15.6 km / Time: 4 hours – Trail unsuitable for bikes
This lovely walk in the heart of nature takes you alternately through hamlets of rustic dwellings and sections of forest, then to a view point of Château de Briançon. Enjoy the different scents of the undergrowth that change according to the time of year.
On your walk:
– Catch a glimpse of Château de Briançon, a 17th-century construction now a residence and arts centre for the disabled.
– See Saint-Symphorien church with its presbytery dating from the 18th century.
– Cross Briançon forest.
Starting point and practical info:
– Start location: Place des Tilleuls in Bauné (Loire-Authion)
– Distance: 13.6 km / Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – Trail unsuitable for bikes
Chateau De BrianconThis circuit offers a full-day walk with plenty of surprises along the way. You will pass the Musée de l’Ardoise (Slate Museum) then explore a former slate quarry turned park with its astonishing blue lakes.
On your walk:
– Pass through the Ardoisières park in Trélazé with its mounds, former quarry pit lakes and mine head frames.
– Visit the Slate Museum (currently closed) and learn about how slate quarrying techniques evolved over time.
– Stroll through Pignerolle park, a fine example of art de vivre à la française, in Saint-Barthélemy-d’Anjou.
Starting points and practical info:
– Start locations: Musée de l’Ardoise, Chemin de la Maraîchère in Trélazé or Domaine de Pignerolle car park (main gate) in Saint-Barthélemy-d’Anjou
– Distance: 24.7 km / Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – Trail unsuitable for bikes
City Pass 48hIf you want to take advantage of everything Angers has to offer, why not try our City Pass? With it, you’ll be able to make the most of your stay with us. Get a discount on your bike rental and access to many of the destination’s must-see sites.
On this walk, you will visit Soulaines-sur-Aubance, a village nestled in the bottom of the Aubance valley. The Aubance is a small tributary of the Loire and it is in this area that the sweet white wine Coteaux-de-l’Aubance is made.
On your walk:
– Enjoy views of the Aubance valley.
– Admire Château de Noizé, a former feudal château which was redesigned in the 14th century.
Starting point and practical info Start location:
– Salle Cortequisse car park in Soulaines-sur-Aubance
– Distance: 19.7 km / Time: 5 hours
– Trail suitable for bikes
Jardin Des Plantes En Hiver Copyright Alexandre Lamoureux Destination Angers 15209 1920pxThe Jardin des Plantes is the ideal place for a winter stroll. This superb English-style garden houses a collection of centuries-old trees and is great for a family walk.
On your walk:
– Scan the QR codes in the garden to find out more about its remarkable trees.
Want a relaxing moment right in the heart of Angers ? Discover Parc Saint-Nicolas, the perfect place for a family stroll, for jogging or just some time to unwind. The walk round the lake has some varied and surprising scenery for you to discover.
On your walk:
– Stop at the children’s play area and merry-go-round
– Follow the footpaths around the lake.
