5 Places to go for a Hike Close to Paris
The hustle and bustle layout of urban Paris is a dream for many, and the beautiful architecture and often functional design of the city can be good enough to overlook the people who live above you and who decide to move their furniture at three in the morning. But everyone needs an escape from the city (and its people) sometimes, and believe it or not, anyone looking for a good old fashioned, nature-filled hike has opportunities not far from the city. Here are five places to go for a hike close to Paris.
La Vallée de la Marne
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Pline
This hike takes you through vineyards that are supplying some of the wine you might buy here in Paris. The majority of the paths are gravel roads, so the trip is easy on the feet without too many obstacles. The trail consists of a loop that takes you through the vineyards, and on this hike you will pass streams, rivers, small forests, and if you're lucky, you might even spot some wildlife.
To get there, coming from the Gare de L’est Station, take the P train for about 50 minutes and get off at Nanteuil Saâcy. This hike can be started straight from the station, by crossing the river and walking towards the village at the bottom of the hill, then walk through the village until you arrive at the first marker of the hike, and turn left at marker A. Then, just follow the markers of the hike, which go from A-G, taking you through the loop and depositing you back at the train station. Overall, the hike is 17.9 km and involves about 4 hours and 30 minutes of walking.
To discover more about these famed vineyards, you can visit their page here.
Carnelle Forest
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/AeliaFlora
This hike takes you through a beautiful forest located in the Val D’Oise. Forty-five minutes outside of Paris, it consists of a shorter trail of 10km that meanders through the forest, and with picnic tables along the trail, it's the perfect hike to bring a picnic lunch. As you hike, you pass two ponds, both of which are beautiful and full of wildlife.
To get there, from the Gare du Nord in Paris, board the H train of the Transilien. Get off in the village of Viarmes after about 45 minutes and the street by the station will lead you straight to the path that starts the hike. The end of the hike brings you to the village of Nointel, where you can board a train home.
For more information on this beautiful national forest, you can visit the NFB website.
Saint-Cloud Park
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons/Guilhem Vellut
This hike is closer to Paris for an easy get away into nature without having to go too far. Created in the style of typical French Estates, the trail has long wide paths that make it easy to walk. Named one of the most beautiful gardens in the Île-de-France, Saint-Cloud offers stunning views of Paris from its summit. A shorter hike, this is easy to meander through while admiring the beautiful gardens.
To get there, from the Musée de Sèvres station, take the T2 tram line until Chaville Rive Droite. You will have to cross the wide boulevard, then walk along Rue Carnot until you reach the start of the trails. This hike is 9km overall, but does involve some steeper hills.
To learn more about this famous park and its history, you can visit the link here.
The Fauvettes Viaduct in the Chevreuse Valley
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons/Lionel Allorge
This beautiful hike takes you to the Fauvettes Viaduct, a decommissioned railway bridge built in 1907. A popular destination for hikers and bikers alike, the bridge offers a beautiful view of the forest. A little more technical, this hike consists of smaller dirt paths that wind through the twilight-esque forest as you make your way towards the viaduct, which overlooks a wide meadow and is another beautiful place to bring a picnic.
To get there directly from Paris, you can take RER B for about an hour to the Bures-sur-Yvette station. The hike is accessible straight from the station, and by crossing the tracks you will see the start of the path. You can end the 10km hike at Gif-Sur-Yvette, where you can take the RER B back to Paris.
To help direct yourself through the forest of this hike, visit this website.
Bois de Boulogne
Image Credits: Elsa Lindner
Last but not least, just to the west of Paris is the Bois de Boulogne. Filled with beautiful trails to walk on that take you past a beautiful lake and historical buildings, you feel worlds removed from the bustling city right next to you when walking through the park. In the warmer months, you can even rent small rowboats to take out on the lake. Easy on the feet, there are multiple options for hikes you can choose that bring you through the forest.
The closest metro stop is Les Sablons, which brings you to the head of the park and can be accessed by metro line 1.
To help you discover all the Bois de Boulogne has to offer, visit this website.
