Hiking and Cycling
Around Château de Malcombe
Discover the Loire Valley on foot or by bike, surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt countryside.
With its forests, lakes, peaceful countryside and historic châteaux, the area surrounding Château de Malcombe offers wonderful opportunities for walking, hiking and cycling.
Whether you enjoy a relaxing family walk, birdwatching by Lake Rillé, or exploring the charming villages and landscapes of Touraine and Anjou, you'll find plenty of beautiful trails and cycling routes just a short distance from our holiday cottages.
Walking and Hiking Trails
1. Lake Rillé – Nature and Birdwatching
📍 Rillé | 7.5 km | 1 hr 30 min | Easy
Discover the beautiful scenery of Lake Rillé, located within a protected Natura 2000 natural area. This peaceful walk follows the lakeshore, offering opportunities to observe remarkable wildlife, particularly the many bird species found in the surrounding nature reserve.
The route also takes you through the charming village of Rillé, where you can discover its local heritage. During the season, why not combine your walk with a ride on the picturesque steam railway?
View the route, map and download the GPX file
2. From Roots to Treetops – Gizeux Nature Trail
📍 Gizeux | Approx. 4 km | 1 hr 30 min | Easy
An enjoyable and educational walk, particularly suitable for families with children.
Along the trail, interactive information boards reveal the secrets of trees, helping visitors identify different species and discover more about forest life.
The route also passes close to Château de Gizeux, one of the area's notable historic landmarks.
3. Lake Val Joyeux – A Peaceful Lakeside Walk
📍 Château-la-Vallière | 6.3 km | 1 hr 45 min | Easy
A lovely walk combining lakeside scenery, woodland and local heritage.
The trail follows Lake Val Joyeux before winding through the wooded countryside surrounding Château-la-Vallière.
Along the way, you'll discover the heritage of this historic little town, as well as an impressive ancient standing stone hidden in the surrounding countryside.
An ideal choice for visitors who enjoy both nature and history.
View the route, map and download the GPX file
4. Exploring the Forests of Continvoir
📍 Continvoir | Approx. 11.5 km | 2 hrs 45 min | Moderate
Explore one of the most heavily wooded areas of Touraine.
This beautiful hiking trail takes you through chestnut groves, pine forests and peaceful valleys, offering a wonderful escape into nature.
Along the way, you'll encounter fascinating old trees, picturesque ponds, a traditional washhouse and even a group of stones dating back to the Neolithic period.
View the route and download the GPX file
5. The Maulne Valley – Traditional Villages and Countryside
📍 Marcilly-sur-Maulne | 11.3 km | 2 hrs 45 min | Moderate
A beautiful walk through the peaceful countryside of the Gâtine Tourangelle.
The route alternates between shaded paths, charming villages, open meadows and scenic views over the Maulne Valley.
You'll discover the villages of Marcilly-sur-Maulne and Braye-sur-Maulne, with their traditional stone buildings, historic washhouses and lovely views of Château de Marcilly.
A shorter route of approximately 8 km is also available.
View the full route and download the GPX file
Discover the shorter 8.1 km route
6. Discovering the Savigné Countryside and Its Ancient Seas
📍 Savigné-sur-Lathan | 12 km | 3 hrs | Easy
Discover the landscapes of the Savigné area and their fascinating geological history.
Millions of years ago, this region was covered by the sea, leaving behind deposits of falun, a fossil-rich sedimentary rock.
Walking through fields, traditional hamlets and quiet country lanes, you'll also discover remnants of the old defensive walls of Savigné-sur-Lathan.
An interesting combination of nature, geology and local history.
View the map and download the official walking guide (PDF)
7. From La Chevalerie to Château de Champchevrier
📍 Cléré-les-Pins | 13 km | 3 hrs 15 min | Moderate
A wonderful walking route for those who enjoy forests, history and beautiful architecture.
The trail winds through the woodland surrounding Cléré-les-Pins and leads towards Château de Champchevrier, an elegant historic château set within a large forested estate.
With its sandy paths, woodland scenery and traditional country properties, this walk reveals a quieter, lesser-known side of the Loire Valley, away from the busier tourist attractions.
Cycling Routes and Bike Rides
1. Wild and Cultivated Nature – Cycling Route No. 26
📍 Rillé | 16 km | 1 hr 30 min | Easy
Starting at Lake Rillé, this scenic cycling route invites you to discover the area's varied natural landscapes.
You'll ride through beautiful woodland before continuing into the surrounding countryside and the village of Breil.
The route also passes close to the grounds of Château de Lathan.
With relatively gentle terrain, this loop is a lovely choice for a family bike ride, following a mixture of forest paths and quiet roads shared with other users.
View the cycling route and download the GPX file
2. Nature and Sculpture – Cycling Route No. 25
📍 Rillé | 18 km | 1 hr 45 min | Easy
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride starting at Lake Rillé, through peaceful forests and countryside.
The route mainly follows woodland tracks and quiet country roads, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.
You'll reach the village of Parçay-les-Pins, where you can visit the Jules Desbois Museum, dedicated to the sculptor who worked alongside Auguste Rodin.
A hybrid or trekking bike is recommended for greater comfort on the forest sections.
View the cycling route and download the GPX file
3. Parçay-les-Pins Cycling Loop
📍 Parçay-les-Pins | 18.5 km | Easy
On the edge of Anjou, this delightful cycling route takes you through pine forests and the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding Lake Rillé.
Combining woodland, peaceful countryside and local heritage, the route provides an opportunity to explore Parçay-les-Pins, the birthplace of French sculptor Jules Desbois.
View the route and download the guide or GPX file
4. Forests and Châteaux – Cycling Route No. 24
📍 Gizeux | 27 km | 2 hrs 30 min | Moderate
A beautiful cycling route for nature lovers and anyone interested in French history and architecture.
Starting in Gizeux, this loop winds through extensive forests along the border between Touraine and Anjou.
Along the way, you'll explore the countryside surrounding Château de Gizeux and the peaceful village of Continvoir.
This route is particularly enjoyable during the warmer months, when the forest provides welcome shade.
View the cycling route and download the GPX file
5. Through the Heart of the Savigné Countryside – Cycling Route No. 27
📍 Gizeux, passing through Rillé | Approx. 34 km | 3 hrs 30 min | Moderate
A wonderful cycling excursion through the varied landscapes of the Savigné plateau, combining forests, quiet country roads, traditional villages and lakes.
The route offers the opportunity to discover three particularly attractive places: Château de Gizeux, Lake Rillé and the lake at Hommes, which is popular for leisure activities and summer swimming.
An ideal half-day adventure for cyclists wishing to explore more of the surrounding countryside.
View the cycling route and download the GPX file
6. Around Château de Champchevrier – Cycling Route No. 66
📍 Cléré-les-Pins | Approx. 17 km | 2 hrs | Easy
Explore the peaceful country roads between Cléré-les-Pins and Savigné-sur-Lathan.
This picturesque cycling route passes through traditional Touraine landscapes, with open fields, woodland and charming rural hamlets.
Château de Champchevrier is a particularly attractive landmark for visitors interested in local history and architecture.
View the cycling route and map
7. Secrets of the Forest – Cycling Route No. 67
📍 Savigné-sur-Lathan | Approx. 40 km | 3 hrs 30 min | Moderate
This longer cycling loop is ideal for riders looking to venture further into the Touraine countryside.
The route passes through the areas of Savigné-sur-Lathan, Mazières-de-Touraine and Hommes, combining forest landscapes with quiet rural scenery.
A great opportunity to experience the natural diversity and tranquillity of this beautiful part of the Loire Valley.
View the cycling route and download the GPX file
Plan Your Outdoor Adventure
The walking and cycling times provided are approximate and do not include stops, sightseeing or breaks.
Some routes follow public roads, forest tracks or natural trails.
Before setting off, we recommend checking the route map, the weather forecast and choosing suitable footwear or a bike adapted to the terrain.
During the hunting season or periods of high wildfire risk, please check whether any restrictions apply to access to forest areas.
For even more walking trails and cycling routes, visit the Touraine Nature Tourist Office website.
We hope you enjoy exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding Château de Malcombe!