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  • Randonnée à travers les marais salants de l'île de Ré
    Randonnée à travers les marais salants de l'île de Ré Photo: zzzz17, Adobe Stock

Walking in Charente-Maritime

Nouvelle-Aquitaine,France

Charentes Tourisme and Charentes tourist offices  Verified partner 
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LogoCharentes Tourisme and Charentes tourist offices

Charente-Maritime has an abundance of footpaths and hiking trails, both near the seaside and inland!

With its unspoilt coastline, renowned vineyards and rich historical heritage, these trails invite you to explore the region in all its glory.

Here you'll find suggestions for itineraries put forward by our community of enthusiasts.

3.9  (54 Ratings and reviews)

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Maps and trails

The 10 most beautiful hikes in Charente-Maritime

Citadel of Château d'Oléron
Hiking Trail · Le Château-d'Oléron
Heritage route of Château d'Oléron - Oléron Island
recommended route Difficulty easy
3.2 km
0:53 h
14 m
14 m
By following this route, many attractions will captivate you in the heart of the historic district and its picturesque alleys. Then, passing by the fortified town walls, the impressive citadel will reveal itself, whose fortifications were completed under Vauban's orders in 1700.
Saint-Trojan-les-Bains - The Port
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Saint Trojan les Bains and its seaside villas
recommended route Difficulty easy
5.8 km
1:15 h
14 m
13 m
From the old village to the seaside villas, this pleasant walk takes you to discover the history of Saint-Trojan, marked by the whims of the ocean and the dune.
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Hiking route: from Port du Douhet to the historic heart of Saint Georges d’Oléron
recommended route Difficulty easy
9.4 km
2:00 h
9 m
9 m
Port du Douhet, a former small commercial port located east of the commune of Saint-Georges d'Oléron, is now a popular marina.
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Hiking route: the oyster farming adventure at Château d'Oléron
recommended route Difficulty moderate
8.5 km
1:30 h
9 m
9 m
Le Château, one of the emblematic oyster farming capitals of Oléron!
Domino route in Chaucre, from the vineyard to the sea
Hiking Trail · Saint-Georges-d'Oléron
From Domino to Chaucre, from vine to sea - Oléron Island
recommended route Difficulty easy
7.7 km
1:56 h
19 m
20 m
Mix of traditional houses and seaside influences, the typical villages of Domino and Chaucre exude a very special charm that justifies a very nice route.
port de Meschers
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Coastal path from St-Georges to Meschers
recommended route Difficulty moderate
12.3 km
3:56 h
290 m
262 m
Beaches and cliffs between Suzac and the port of Meschers
Citadelle de Brouage
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Brouage, the fortified city in the heart of the Charente marshlands - Hiers-Brouage
recommended route Difficulty easy
4.1 km
0:50 h
8 m
8 m
This route will lead you to discover the Fortress of Brouage and its unique surrounding marshland.
Coran Valley
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Coran Valley
recommended route Difficulty T1 easy
8.7 km
2:20 h
99 m
104 m
Discover the Coran Valley, a true breath of fresh air in beautiful nature located between Saintes and Cognac. A magnificent forest walk awaits you!
Échillais Church
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Walking route: From the church to the Charente-Seudre Canal
recommended route Difficulty T1 easy
5.8 km
1:40 h
12 m
12 m
Combining natural and historical heritage: discover a masterpiece of Saintonge Romanesque art, the Church of Notre-Dame d’Échillais, and the Charente-Seudre Canal, as you walk along the Bois du Chay. Follow in the footsteps of the famous traveller and writer Pierre Loti!
Hiking Trail · Charente-Maritime
Le Grand Village Plage, at the heart of its natural and cultural heritage
recommended route Difficulty easy
8.6 km
1:00 h
11 m
11 m
Charming small seaside resort between ocean, marshes, and large pine forest, Le Grand-Village-Plage holds unsuspected treasures.
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Walks for history lovers

Over the centuries, Charente-Maritime has witnessed a variety of historic events. Roman remains, medieval architecture and the scars of the Wars of Religion dot the landscape.

Pilgrimage routes, including the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, criss-cross the region, leading walkers to Romanesque churches and picturesque villages. Medieval paths link historic towns, offering a journey back in time.

In Charente-Maritime, every walk is an exploration of history and natural beauty, creating a memorable experience for those exploring these lands steeped in history.

Looking for a break in La Rochelle?

La Rochelle's Vieux-Port (Old Harbour) offers an immersion in the maritime atmosphere, with its lively quays, restaurants and medieval towers guarding the harbour entrance. The town's ramparts invite you to take a stroll, offering panoramic views over the town, the port and the ocean, and a dive into its fascinating history.

The Ile de Ré, just a few kilometres from La Rochelle, is a haven for walkers, with its beaches, picturesque villages and cycle paths. The Poitevin marshes, nicknamed the "Green Venice", transport you into a world of unspoilt nature.

The coastal path offers breathtaking views of the ocean, while the boat trip to Fort Boyard is a unique adventure for history buffs.

The Three Towers of La Rochelle
Photo: Romero Schmidtke, CC BY, Wikipedia

On the long-distance footpaths in Charente-Maritime

The Charente-Maritime department is criss-crossed by a number of great itineraries for walkers.

The famous GR® 4 starts in Royan and runs to Grasse on the Côte d'Azur, while the GR® 36 links Ouistreham (Calvados) to Bourg-Madame (Pyrénées-Orientales), skirting the department to the north-east.

The GR® 360 covers 460km of Charente-Maritime and the GR® 655 on the route to Santiago de Compostela crosses the département from north to south for 125km.

So many walking routes to explore and ideas for a relaxing getaway on foot!

Long Distance Hiking · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
GR®4 in the Charentes
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 301.9 km
Duration 75:55 h
Ascent 1,519 m
Descent 1,442 m

The Grande Randonnée 4 trail links the Atlantic with Provence. It ends by passing through the Charentes, which offer breathtaking views!

5
from Christelle Durey,   Charentes Tourisme and Charentes tourist offices

Reviews

  • September 28, 2026
    Siegfried M.
    September 28, 2026
    Schöner abwechslungsreicher Weg durch Wald und kleine Weiler, immer auf und ab. Er ist gut zu gehen und gut ausgeschildert. Immer wieder quert man Bäche oder die Eisenbahnlinie, diese meist durch Tunnel oder Unterführungen. Großer Parkplatz am Startpunkt (max 2.10m hoch).
    ...Show more
    Variety of paths
    Written September 28, 2026
  • October 03, 2025
    Stefan 
    October 02, 2025
    Sehr schön und Abwechslungsreiche Wanderung. Am besten an einem sonnigen Frühlings- oder Herbsttag. Gut ausgeschildert mit einem netten Picknickplatz in Arces. / Ich würde die Tour eher als leicht bis mittel anspruchsvolle bewerten. /
    ...Show more
    Photo: Stefan, Community
    Written October 03, 2025
  • August 25, 2025
    Johan Cilliers
    Great route
    ...Show more
    Written August 25, 2025
  • August 23, 2025
    Johan Cilliers
    The great walk was an absolute delight! The scenery was breathtaking, with stunning views all around. While some areas were a bit overgrown, it added to the adventure, making it feel like a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Getting off the cycle routes allowed us to experience the natural beauty up close. It was an exhilarating journey through nature!
    ...Show more
    Written August 23, 2025
    Hiking Trail
    La Combe à l'Eau
  • April 09, 2025
    Philippe AREL 
    April 08, 2025
    Boucle très intéressante, et très variée, à réaliser de préférence dans l'autre sens pour éviter de terminer par le lotissement...
    ...Show more
    Written April 09, 2025
  • March 18, 2025
    Philippe AREL 
    trés bien
    ...Show more
    Written March 18, 2025
    Hiking Trail
    Le Pas de Mortefoin
  • September 01, 2022
    Mathieu de Basquiat
    Randonnée facile et bon guidage
    ...Show more
    Written September 01, 2022
    Hiking Trail
    ronces les bains 13km
  • April 04, 2021
    Chantal POUGET
    Le passage travers bois et la varit des chemins. Belle balade champtre !
    ...Show more
    Written April 04, 2021
    Hiking Trail
    Nieul les Saintes Est
  • February 07, 2021
    Ohe Eho
    Excellente randonne
    ...Show more
    Written February 07, 2021
  • September 25, 2020
    Chantal POUGET
    vaut mieux couper travers le verger de pommiers. Sinon belle balade.
    ...Show more
    Written September 25, 2020
    Hiking Trail
    Pessines - les chênes
  • September 19, 2020
    Eme Andro
    L'un des plus beau parcours de la cte de Charente Maritime. Facile d'accs, tous niveaux. De superbes paysages.
    ...Show more
    Written September 19, 2020
  • July 14, 2020
    Claire Bouyer
    Application trop compliqu a comprendre
    ...Show more
    Written July 14, 2020
    Hiking Trail
    Le coup de Vague

Find hikes in neighboring regions

Discover other hikes within Charente-Maritime

Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis Andilly Angoulins Annepont Annezay Arces Archiac Archingeay Ars-en-Ré Arthenac Arvert Aulnay Avy Aytré Ballon Barzan Beaugeay Bedenac Belluire Benon Berneuil Bois Boisredon Bougneau Bouhet Bourcefranc-le-Chapus Bourgneuf Breuil-Magné Brives-sur-Charente Cabariot Celles Champagnac Chaniers Charron Chenac-Saint-Seurin-d'Uzet Chevanceaux Châtelaillon-Plage Chérac Cierzac Ciré-d'Aunis Clavette Clion Clérac Colombiers Coulonges Courcelles Courcoury Cozes Cramchaban Crazannes Croix-Chapeau Dampierre-sur-Boutonne Dolus-d'Oléron Dompierre-sur-Mer Echillais Epargnes Esnandes Etaules Fenioux Floirac (Charente-Maritime) Fléac-sur-Seugne Fontaines-d'Ozillac Fontcouverte Fouras Germignac Grandjean Guitinières Ile-d'Aix Jonzac Juicq L'Houmeau La Brée-les-Bains La Chapelle-des-Pots La Clotte La Couarde-sur-Mer La Flotte La Gripperie-Saint-Symphorien La Jard La Jarne La Jarrie La Rochelle La Ronde La Tremblade La Villedieu Landrais Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré Le Château-d'Oléron Le Douhet Le Fouilloux Le Grand-Village-Plage Le Gué-d'Alleré Le Mung Les Eglises-d'Argenteuil Les Gonds Les Mathes Les Nouillers Les Portes-en-Ré Loix Lorignac Marans Marennes-Hiers-Brouage Marignac Marsilly Matha Mazeray Meschers-sur-Gironde Meux Mirambeau Montendre Montguyon Montlieu-la-Garde Montroy Mornac-sur-Seudre Mortagne-sur-Gironde Mosnac Muron Médis Neuillac Nieul-le-Virouil Nieul-lès-Saintes Nieul-sur-Mer Orignolles Ozillac Paillé Pessines Plassac Plassay Pons Pont-l'Abbé-d'Arnoult Port-d'Envaux Port-des-Barques Prignac Puilboreau Puyrolland Pérignac Périgny Rioux Rivedoux-Plage Rochefort Royan Réaux sur Trèfle Rétaud Sablonceaux Saint-Agnant Saint-André-de-Lidon Saint-Augustin Saint-Bris-des-Bois Saint-Christophe Saint-Ciers-Champagne Saint-Clément-des-Baleines Saint-Crépin Saint-Césaire Saint-Denis-d'Oléron Saint-Dizant-du-Bois Saint-Dizant-du-Gua Saint-Eugène Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde Saint-Froult Saint-Genis-de-Saintonge Saint-Georges-Antignac Saint-Georges-d'Oléron Saint-Georges-de-Didonne Saint-Georges-des-Agoûts Saint-Georges-du-Bois Saint-Germain-de-Lusignan Saint-Germain-du-Seudre Saint-Hilaire-de-Villefranche Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois Saint-Jean-d'Angély Saint-Jean-de-Liversay Saint-Just-Luzac Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée Saint-Loup Saint-Léger Saint-Martial-sur-Né Saint-Martin-d'Ary Saint-Martin-de-Coux Saint-Martin-de-Ré Saint-Nazaire-sur-Charente Saint-Ouen-d'Aunis Saint-Palais-de-Négrignac Saint-Palais-de-Phiolin Saint-Palais-sur-Mer Saint-Pierre-d'Amilly Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron Saint-Pierre-du-Palais Saint-Pierre-la-Noue Saint-Rogatien Saint-Romain-de-Benet Saint-Sauvant Saint-Savinien Saint-Sigismond-de-Clermont Saint-Simon-de-Bordes Saint-Sorlin-de-Conac Saint-Thomas-de-Conac Saint-Trojan-les-Bains Saint-Xandre Sainte-Gemme Sainte-Marie-de-Ré Sainte-Radegonde Sainte-Soulle Saintes Salles-sur-Mer Saujon Surgères Talmont-sur-Gironde Taugon Thairé Thors Thénac Thézac Tonnay-Boutonne Trizay Varzay Vaux-sur-Mer Vervant Villedoux Villexavier Vinax Vouhé Yves

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Parts of this content were machine translated from French.
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