Walking

On the Right Track

Walking is by far the most popular sporting/leisure activity of the French and as with many things in France, it is well organised. The GR routes, Grande Randonée have been in existence for more than 60 years. Lines are painted on rocks, trees, walls and posts – red and white for hiking routes and red and yellow for GR de Pays which are easier but longer circular routes. One single yellow line marks the shorter PR Promenade et Randonée routes. Over the whole country, the network of paths offers nearly 180.000 km of routes. The Fédération Francaise de Randonnée Pédestre (FFRP) maintain these paths and markings so that everyone can discover France’s regions and natural history in complete safety.

In Burgundy the GR13 passes from north to south from Auxerre to Vézelay, through the Morvan Forest to Mount Beuvray and on to the south of France. There are many shorter routes zig-zagging across the region, 1: 25,000 maps of each segment available.

There are other shorter routes zig-zagging across the region – for a map of all GR routes in France, see the IGN 903 France Grande Randonnée, Long Distance Footpaths. Once you have chosen the area, IGN 1: 25,000 maps are available for each segment.

The Topo-guides, published by the FFRP give details of the individual walks, maps, distances between each stage, timing, where to stay etc. in French.

Topo-guides for the region

Traversée du Morvan GR13/131 gives 350km of trails in the Morvan National Park.
Auxerre et ses Environs à pied – day walks
L’Yonne, à pied
Entre Cure et Yonne à pied

'Walks in the Beaune Countryside' suggests 30 routes with a map, telling you the distance, duration and rating, detailing the points of interest en route. It is availabe from the Beaune Tourist Office, 6 Boulevard Perpreuil for 3 euros.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS

Offering a set itinerary with pre-booked accommodation, with a self-guided tour you can see the best of a region at your own pace.

Discover France offer a six day walking itinerary through wine country starting at Dijon and finishing at Beaune. Walk through Gevrey Chambertin, Nuit-St-Georges and the route of the Grands Crus then on to the Côtes de Beaune. All hotels, baggage transfers and wine passes for tastings at 27 sites are just some of the things included.

Belle France suggest three or six day holidays, Wine List Wanders, Burgundy Prestige and Burgundy Taster.