En descendant l'Essonne
Tirant son nom d'Acionna, la déesse gallo-romaine des rivières, l'Essonne parcourt le Nord du Département du Loiret et le Sud de la Région Ile-de-France. Ce circuit en suit la vallée au plus près, là où elle est accessible en train. L'itinéraire alterne les chemins le long de la rivière et de ses nombreux étangs, les passages en sous-bois et ceux sur des plateaux cultivés, la traversée de zones résidentielles et les parcours urbains.
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 65.89 km -
Calculated time: 4 days -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Return to departure point: No -
Vertical gain: + 321 m -
Vertical drop: - 390 m -
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Highest point: 138 m -
Lowest point: 36 m
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District: Malesherbes (45330) -
Start: N 48.293515° / E 2.40152° -
End: N 48.613893° / E 2.47393° -
Step by step walk
This walk needs several days, find the details below:
Useful Information
Chaque étape relie deux gares de la ligne D du RER entre elles. Pour les horaires de train, consulter le site du Transilien. Chacune des gares est pourvue d'un vaste parking, ce qui rend chacune des étapes accessible aux automobilistes.
Pour chaque étape, des chaussures de randonnée sont nécessaires.
Les quatre étapes de ce circuit ont été réalisées par l'auteur entre mars et septembre 2016.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Voir les fiches relatives aux différentes étapes.
Other walks in the area
A circular walk around the Trois Pignons
Walker 7.72 km
+43 m
-34 m
2h 20
Moderate
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
A pretty hike in the Massif des Trois Pignons, on the edge of Fontainebleau forest.
The “Circuit des 25 Bosses” (the 25 Bumps Circuit)
Walker 
15.16 km
+239 m
-237 m
5h 00
Difficult
Departure from Le Vaudoué (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer.
N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.
Circuit around Larchant
Walker 7.17 km
+87 m
-88 m
2h 20
Moderate
Departure from Larchant (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
The very enjoyable scent of pine is everywhere. And the small sand dune that I would the "Little Dune of Pyla" is lovely.
A walk in the Massif des Trois Pignons
Walker 11.93 km
+144 m
-140 m
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
The Massif des Trois Pignons is situated on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. The walk takes you past the Rocher des Guetteurs, the Sables du Cul du Chien, the Diplodocus, and the Rocher de la Tortue.
Sentier des Belvédères
Walker 
8.35 km
+74 m
-74 m
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Noisy-sur-École (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
A course over hills, with beautiful views of the Massif des Trois Pignons. Passages on platières in the middle of the moor with an unobstructed view, interspersed with passages in undergrowth and amid boulders. A varied, rather sporty hike.
N.B. The drop is probably underestimated: expect something more in the order of 300 metres.
Les Gorges de Franchard and l'Antre des Druides
Walker 
5.70 km
+52 m
-52 m
1h 45
Moderate
Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
Starting from an old retreat which has been visited since the 11th century, this hike allows you to explore the Gorges de Franchard and the surrounding areas. Winding through rocks and several rock shelters such as the well-known Antre des Druides.
N.B. The difference in altitude is probably higher than stated: roughly 100 metres and a 2 hour walk.
The Rocher du Long Boyau and the Gorges du Houx
Walker 
10.02 km
+74 m
-75 m
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
From the Ermitage de Franchard, this is a very varied hike which will take you past old sandstone quarries, the Gorges du Houx and the charming Mare aux Pigeons. On the route are several vast viewing points, numerous spectacular rocks and the curious Grotte du Serment cave.
N.B. The elevation and the time shown appear to be under-estimated: count on about 250 meters and 4 hours of walking.
Hike in Fontainebleau forest: a tour of the Apremont Gorges
Walker 
11.69 km
+129 m
-130 m
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)
Fontainebleau forest is one of the most beautiful French forests thanks to its varied landscapes and, in particular, its sandstone blocks. This hike circles the Apremont gorges along the Colinet-Denecourt path N°6 and lets you enjoy it in all its beauty and fragility, the latter due both to natural erosion and human use, and is near the Paris region.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.