Walking Holidays
France

Beaujolais Grand Crus

This independent walking holiday takes place in the Beaujolais region, located to the north and east of Lyon, which is made up of a series of beautiful rolling hills getting progressively higher as you go north, giving rise to some delightful walking. Despite the relatively gentle nature of their slopes, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys create a landscape of great panoramas and rich contrasts.

This short break, self-guided walking holiday traverses the northern Beaujolais, where the vines produce the 10 Grand Crus of the region. A pleasant combination of rich fruity flavours and more complex characteristics, makes these French wines unique, with some being grown only on a few hundred hectares. You'll get the chance to sample them at your guest houses, which are on vineyards, as well as at other producers along the way. Your walking trail snakes its way along secluded and picturesque valleys, as well as along some panoramic ridges, away from the main roads and noise of the Saone Valley. You'll pass historic villages, chateaux and a host of other interesting sites on route.

At the end of each day you'll be welcomed with open arms at your small, quaint guest houses where the hospitality is excellent and you'll be treated to great local food and wine.

Holiday Profile

5 nights/6 days: 4 days independent walking moving between guest houses

Dates

Everday of week subject to availability during 1 April to 31 October

Walking Profile & Grade

This independent walking holiday in the Beaujolais region of France is made up of 4 walks moving between guest houses. The walks are reasonably easy for the grade, especially in terms of the amount of ascent and descent. An average days walking includes about 15km with limited ascents and descents amounting to about 300m. There are options on all of the days to make the walking harder or easier. The walk takes place on good paths and country lanes. Some paths can be rough and stoney in places with the odd steeper section, so walking boots are essential.

This walking holiday is graded moderate. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

5 nights in small and comfortable guest houses with ensuite accommodation on vineyards with plenty of local character. All breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches and 4 evening meals included in the price.

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking tour of the Beaujolais is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Beaujolais is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid September to mid October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its southerly position in France and the sun's strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days. 

Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and although this provides added activity to the countryside, it also means that some of our first choice guest houses are not available. In October the Beaujolais takes on a different character with autumn colours.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings and signs along the trail. The walking follows clear paths, tracks and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday your guest houses are responsible for transporting your main luggage (except for the first day), so if you have any specific requests such as a lift to the next guest house then you can speak with the guest house where you are staying. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

Travel Info

Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Beaujolais region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick ups are generally between 2 and 5pm. Please contact us if you require pick up at at different time. We can also pick you up from a hotel if you are staying in Lyon before your walking holiday.

Train: TGV provide a relaxing journey to Lyon Part Dieu.

5 nights / 4 days walking between guest houses

• From €850
• Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room
• Please contact us concerning single supplements