Hiking around Paris: 5 ideas accessible by public transport

Who said you had to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from home to get away? If the health crisis and its restrictions have had a positive effect, it is to remind us that France is a wonderful playground full of natural, heritage and historical wonders to discover.

The capital and its surroundings are no exception. And it is not difficult to venture out. Looking for ideas for your next weekend near Paris? The book"Randonnées autour de Paris" published last May by Editions Gallimard should give you a helping hand. It offers 40 walks to get some fresh air around the capital.

This selection is the fruit of ten years of escapades in Ile-de-France experienced by its authors, two passionate hikers, Marine Loisy and Clément Lhommeau, founder of the website Helloways. Each of the itineraries offers the chance to discover magnificent forests, green corners or charming villages in France.

A significant advantage is that all the proposed walks are accessible by public transport - metro, RER or Transilien - and therefore within reach of a Navigo pass (or a simple ticket). Here are five destinations to give you some ideas for a getaway:

1 - Welcome to the Chevreuse Valley

An easy 15.3 km loop, about 4.5 hours, accessible from Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse station (RER B, about 50 minutes from Paris)

The Chevreuse valley offers remarkable opportunities for escapism and a rich mosaic of landscapes. You can stroll along the banks of the Yvette, before crossing the woods, walking along small country roads and finally reaching the château de la Madeleine, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

2 - Discovering the Morbras

Easy 10.3 km loop, about 2.5 hours, accessible from Sucy-Bonneuil station (RER A, about 45 minutes)

This walk takes you to Sucy-en-Brie and the banks of the Morbras, a small tributary of the Marne. The itinerary includes crossing the Morbras departmental park, meeting cows and goats at the bend in a large green corridor before taking an interest in the Sucy fort, a structure built in the 19th century.

3 - In the heart of the Briard country

Easy 17.3 km loop, about 4 hours, accessible from Cesson station (RER D, about 1 hour)

This walk takes you on a discovery of Cesson in Seine-et-Marne and its surroundings, in the heart of the Briard country. It takes in bucolic streams and ponds, thick forests, pretty villages and charming houses. As a bonus: a striking panorama over a loop of the Seine.

4 - Diving into the Vexin

A difficult 19 km loop, about 5 hours, accessible from L'Isle-Adam-Parmain station (Transilien H, about 50 minutes).

This escapade gives the sensation of travelling in a painting by Van Gogh. It takes you to the Vexin, a vast plateau that overlooks the loops of the Seine on its southern side, and is criss-crossed by a multitude of hiking trails. On the programme: rural crossings, wooded valleys and villages with character.

5 - Paris-Versailles in nature mode

Average hike of 13.1 km, about 3.5 hours, departure from Pont de Sèvres station (Metro 9), return via Versailles Château Rive Gauche station (RER C, about 40 minutes)

Although Versailles and its famous castle are a major tourist attraction in the Ile-de-France, very few people have dared to walk to the Sun King 's estate from the capital. This is precisely what this walk offers, taking in forest paths, the banks of several ponds and wooded areas until the majestic château comes into view. The most courageous can even continue on their way and make the return journey on foot to Paris.

Other walks to discover

These five walks are just a sample of the ideas put together by Marine Loisy and Clément Lhommeau. The book is very practical and indicates for each walk the distance, duration, level of difficulty and accessibility, as well as things to see or experiences to try along the way. It is also possible to download a complete guidebook and the route using a QR code linking to the Helloways platform. There you will find many other ideas for walks in Paris and other major cities.

Also read:

⋙ 30 (great) ideas for your next hikes in France

⋙ What are the most beautiful hikes in France?

⋙ The 10 most beautiful villages in Île-de-France