Discover the Loire Valley on foot, with our self-guided walking trips! These private (you aren’t with a group) self-guided holidays mean you can walk at your own pace through one of France’s enchanting “Valley of Kings”, enjoying an authentic, in-depth experience.
Detours In France self-guided walking trips in the Loire Valley combine the freedom of independent travel with the comfort of carefully arranged accommodations, fantastically well-researched routes, and local experiences. You will meander through vineyards, charming villages, small towns and rolling countryside as you uncover the region’s legendary châteaux, exquisite cuisine, and warm French hospitality, never far from one of the valley’s rivers.
Amongst the many highlights you can experience during these fabulous independent walking tours are visits of some of the most iconic castles such as Château de Chenonceau, Château d’Amboise, Chateau Azay le Rideau, as well as Fontevraud Abbey.
You will get to taste local wines from the celebrated vineyards of Vouvray and Saumur, you will dine at authentic local restaurants, where you’ll savor delicious local dishes, seasonal produce and local specialties.
But also get deep into the unique culture of the Loire Valley on your walking tour – with explorations of troglodyte dwellings, regional specialties like “Pomme Tapees” (literally, smashed apples), beautiful gardens, basketry makers, and local markets.
All our walking itineraries in the Loire Valley include Tours, the capital of the region. Take some time to explore this lovely small city and historic centre, with the lively Palce Plumereau surrounded by restaurants and cafes, churches and cathedrals, and a great covered market – open daily. You’ll also stay in charming Azay-le-Rideau, on the Indre River, with its Renaissance castle and lovely mediaeval town centre. Our longer Loire walk tours will introduce you to Chinon – on another river, and with an impressive fortress and panoramas over the medieval centre. These routes finish in Saumur – with its castle, medieval centre, and beautiful squares.
All our Loire walking routes stay as well in Montsoreau – one of France’s official Prettiest Villages, and right next door to another – Candes Saint Martin! On this section of your Loire Walking Tour, you’ll discover the magnificent and historically rich Fontevraud Abbey, a huge religious entity in the mifddle ages, and the final resting place for both the powerful Eleanor of Aquitaine and her famous son, Richard the Lionhearted.
During these self-guided walking experiences, you will stay in handpicked hotels welcomed by your hosts, each full of character and at the comfort level of your choice.
Your luggage will be transported for you from hotel to hotel, so all you have to do is enjoy each days walk and stunning scenery. We have done all the work of researching the best trails and paths, and small tiny roads, between the castles and villages. You can walk at your own rhythm, using the detailed route notes and GPS maps that we provide for you, as well as a rich package if regional information to enhance your explorations.
In towns like Tours, Azay le Rideau, and Saumur, we have prepared self-guided walking routes for the historic centres with maps. Recommendations for stops and help with lunch timing… everything is there to make your Loire Walking holiday easy and enjoyable.
Stop when you feel like it during the day; you’ll meet local artisans and food producers — winemakers, cheesemakers, and bakers — who are proud to share their craft. All of the hotels that we have specifically picked for your walking tour are ideally located for your explorations. Each offers a warm welcome, regional character, and clean comfort after a day on the walking routes in the Loire Valley whether you choose the simpler accommodation, or the top-level luxury hotels.
Evenings are a delight, with some dinners in local restaurants or at your hotel — which you can pair with the delicious Loire Valley wines, while others are left free for you to be able to make discoveries of your own.
We make the itineraries flexible; you choose the level of hotel comfort you prefer and of course what date you would like to arrive. We do the rest! We will touch base with you at the start of your walking tour to go over any questions, and will be available throughout your vacation for any questions that may come up – making the whole experience easy and worry-free. All luggage transfers are organized by us, as well as taxi transfers to the start of each walk – allowing you to enjoy much more than a more typical hotel to hotel walk. Our detailed maps and step-by-step route instructions will help you find your way each day and so as not to get lost, you will also be provided with GPS tracks that can be used for free on your smartphone.
Detours in France walking trips are perfect for a group of friends, families, a romantic couple getaway or for solo travelers looking for a balance of independence and structure, nature and culture, relaxation and exploration.
A journey to remember starts here with our self-guided Loire Valley walks, letting you connect deeply with the landscape, people, and traditions of this UNESCO World Heritage region. Experience the joy of slow travel — where every step reveals a story, every meal is a celebration, and every castle feels like a fairytale!
