The 9 most beautiful hiking tours in Île-de-France • Wanderlix

Choose from the most beautiful hikes in Île-de-France to escape the great air... close to the City of Light.

Ile-de-France is a region that includes and surrounding the city of Paris , capital of France. With its eight departments, the territory of the Paris basin is not lacking in charm. Forests, castles, abbeys, lakes, marshes, hilly pastures... Why not give up RER, taxis and electric scooter to boost your boots and go to the hiking paths that quadrate this fabulous space too often neglected?

With 7 510 kilometers of trails marked in the area, you will have a lot of what to do with your legs. We have selected the best of them. Here is our top of the most beautiful hikes in Île-de-France. Here we go!

1. Château de la Chasse in Montmorency

This hike in Île-de-France takes place in Montmorency Forest in Val-d’Oise. The itinerary has no difficulty and provides a pleasant freshness in the summer. The trees of this dense wood will allow you to pass from the hatch to reach the Castle of the Hunt. This sumptuous building has a plan of water and a splendid fountain of time.

The pond will be the ideal place for a snack break. You will then take the path of the philosopher to the solar dial that works wonderfully (when the sun shines...). This trail features small poetic writings on the theme of nature. Finally, we recommend taking the course in the autumn to contemplate the variations of shade of vegetation.

2. Château du Val by the road to Coligny

This friendly course takes place around Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the Yvelines. This hike in Île-de-France will take you to the Château du Val, typical of the 17th century French architecture. All of a classic style, it was the origin of a “single” hunting house. It was built by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart for King Louis XIV.

The site has been classified since the 1940s. Particularity of the itinerary? The panorama... on the defense, its towers, its esplanade and its famous Arche. Maybe not hyper bucolic, but colossal and spectacular. Accessible to all, this hike requires good boots when it rains: the trails are sometimes demounted... and slippery!

3. Forest of Fontainebleau and Mont Aigu

The name of Fontainebleau certainly tells you something. It is one of the most beautiful French forests and this hike in Île-de-France will make you discover its varied landscapes. The itinerary is most pleasant: it starts from an easily accessible parking lot and sinks into the woods.

You will cross the forest under the Sylvester pines and arrive on the incredible massif of sandstones of Fontainebleau. Mount Aigu and its rocky chaos will be given special attention. Its sandstone slabs perfectly aligned (the trays) allowed to extract the paved... located in the City of Light, only 60 kilometers away.

The hike will take place in the spring. The 1,350 species of flowers listed in the corner then flourish perfectly.

4. Between Dampierre and Maincourt

This hike in Île-de-France will make you discover the Chevreuse valley near the city of Versailles, in the Yvelines. Your itinerary starts in the village of Dampierre-en-Yvelines and winds in a beautiful oak forest. You will then reach the two Roches ponds: it is possible to observe and fish migratory birds.

Maincourt’s marked pedagogical path will allow you to know everything about the ecosystem of the Regional Natural Park of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse. Along the banks of the Yvette, this lovely walk will suit the whole family for a summer getaway. The shadow and the freshness are very appreciable!

5. Saint-Cloud Park Tower

Saint-Cloud Park overlooks the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower stands in the distance and toises the walkers who make this hike in Île-de-France. This walk combines heritage and views within a green setting at the gates of the capital. Walking on a wide gravel road, you will reach the lower basin of the Grande Cascade. The balustrade offers a splendid view of the roofs of the City of Light.

With its 460 hectares, Saint-Cloud Park is home to a remarkable plant wealth. Also go to the Breteuil pavilion where the 1889 meter and the castle museum is preserved. These must-sees will make this hike accessible preferably by public transport. Line 10 of the subway to the terminus Boulogne-Pont de St-Cloud will lead you easily.

6. The Grand Canal tower

The most prestigious hiking route in France, undoubtedly. The tower of the Grand Canal de Versailles takes place within the... Palace of Versailles . The Grand Canal is responsible for this perspective effect in the garden of Versailles. The Nôtre, the King’s gardener, made the turn of strength to transform this marsh into a reservoir of water. What a pity! To find out, go to the entrance of the Palace of Versailles.

It is free except if you want to go through the gardens... Good point, the paved path allows access to wheelchairs. This royal hike in Île-de-France is aimed at small and large, noble or not.

7. The marshes of Fontenay

The marshes of Fontenay occupy nearly 800 hectares in the lower valleys of Essonne and June. This hike in Île-de-France passes through a path... sometimes, sometimes even muddy. Highly recommended boots or shoes after an episode of rain!

For the rest, only happiness: few people in general and a total immersion in nature. The trail is perfectly marked and allows you to approach the local fauna and flora as much as possible. In fact, we advise you to go there in the fall to observe this fabulous ecosystem is transforming.

8. Promenade de Versailles in Saint-Cyr

Welcome to the Palace of Versailles! After passing in front of the king’s garden and the Swiss Water Room, you will cross a wood and Saint-Cyr-l’École. This hike in Île-de-France follows the GR11 sections around the Satory military camp. Well dipped, through fields and forests, it will lead you to a sumptuous panorama of the castle of the Sun King.

You will then continue your oral progress to the starting point. To deepen your escapade, the visit of the king’s vegetable garden can be playful and enriching. Small and large will appreciate the atypical atmosphere of the place. So, conquer?

9. Garenne Forest Road

To complete our selection of the best hikes in Île-de-France we wanted to introduce you to this original route. The Port-Royal Forest, located 35 km from Paris, welcomes it to the sources of Rhodon and Merchantaise. These tributaries of the Yvette in the edge of the Trappes wood are the masters of the place, which also welcomes the historic site of the abbey of Port-Royal.

You can visit the National Museum of Port-Royal-des-Champs after a long walk under oak, chestnut trees and birch trees. Speciality of the place? There are many craters of impact due to the bombing of the Second World War. If you’re lucky, wild boars, deer, deer and fox will be in the game and will be approaching timidly by watching you with an epic look.

Purple delight!