Loire Valley walking vacations

Walk where Joan of Arc marched, where armies gathered, and where kings once sped by in carriages. There are some 6,800km of hiking trails around Tours, and five GR routes (Grande Randonnée – long distance walking routes through Europe) that pass through the Loire Valley. A walking vacation will allow to experience the little wonders you might miss by bike or by car. As you walk along the river bank, the startling silhouette of an enormous chateau-topped town will come into view on the horizon. But you might not notice it at first, because you’re looking at the roses blooming among the vines, or admiring a poppy field.

Walking vacations in the Loire Valley generally last a week, and can be done point-to-point with luggage transfers. You can easily do a self guided tour, since the routes are simple to navigate. You’ll get maps and comprehensive route directions so you won’t be led astray.

Each day you’ll usually walk between 15 and 20km. Even if you’re not particularly used to walking, if you’re in sound physical shape then the daily walks are perfectly doable. What’s more, you’ll break up the strolls with some lovely sights – including a whole heap of attractive chateaux. A week-long walking itinerary gives you the chance to pop in on one practically every day.

There are vehicle transfers to cut down some of the walking on some days. On others, you’ll set out straight from the hotel. You’ll only need to carry a day bag as a support vehicle transports your luggage – and you might also find they’ll transport any wine purchases you make, too.

Much of the accommodation is in family-run historic hotels. You’ll be surprised how many of them have swimming pools – so you can refresh after your rambles in the warmer months. Walking vacations tend to run between May and October, when the weather is best.

Following a river is fantastic for gentle hiking, as it’s guaranteed to be flat most of the time, and it’s easy to find your way. It’s hard to get lost when towns are marked by enormous chateaux and churches. Walking itineraries follow major routes at least some of the time, and these are brilliantly signposted: the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route needs no introduction, whilst the GR routes are marked with a red and white horizontal stripe. It’s sometimes comforting to know that you’re walking a main trail.