There’s no shortage of trails around Les Sables d’Olonne… and that’s almost the problem: where to start? Whether you’re with family and kids who are dragging their feet a little, or with friends keen on big views and a serious bit of climbing, the Vendée has some lovely surprises in store.
At Yes Conciergerie, every season we see travellers who are discovering the plateau for the first time. Very often they leave saying: “We weren’t expecting this kind of scenery just a few hours from the city.” This article is here to help you choose the most beautiful trails around Les Sables d’Olonne, for walks suited to your level… and your mood.
Why the Vendée is a hiking paradise
The Vendée is a massif quite unlike any other. Here you’ll find:
- Soft, accessible plateaus, perfect for family walks.
- Impressive cliffs that open onto spectacular views over the Alps.
- Cool forests in summer, sunlit alpine pastures, and very varied landscapes within reasonable distances.
Around Les Sables d’Olonne, you can string together a forest walk, a 360° view over the summits, and an afternoon snack on a village terrace — all in the same day. And all of that without having to be a serious athlete or a navigation expert.
The good news? Many hikes are very well marked, with starting points easily reached from the centre of Les Sables d’Olonne or from the surrounding hamlets. Often the hardest part is just… choosing.
Easy walks for the family
Got kids, an all-terrain stroller or simply a craving for a quiet walk with great views and gentle slopes? Here are a few very accessible ideas around Les Sables d’Olonne.
The loop around Lac de la Moucherolle: the “postcard” walk
Located in the resort area (Brem-sur-Mer), Lac de la Moucherolle is a little gem for a first taste of the Vendée.
Why we love it:
- A short loop, ideal for kids who don’t want to walk for hours.
- A direct view of the Grande Moucherolle, one of the area’s signature peaks.
- Plenty of room for a picnic by the water.
This walk is perfect at the start or end of the day, or to stretch your legs after the drive in. Wear proper shoes all the same: easy or not, a trail is still a trail!
The Via Vendée on foot: the plateau at your own pace
The Via Vendée is a gentle route shared between walkers, mountain bikers and sometimes horse riders, linking several villages on the plateau (Les Sables d’Olonne, Le Château-d’Olonne, Port Olonna, Île Penotte…). It’s a wonderful playground for families:
- A flexible route: you walk as far as you like, there and back.
- Very little climbing, ideal with kids or to ease back into walking.
- Wide-open landscapes over meadows, farms, and the Vendée ridges.
From Les Sables d’Olonne, you can for example head towards Port Olonna, walk a stretch, then come back at your own pace. The route is well marked and easy to adapt to the day’s energy levels.
“Discovery” hikes for big eyefuls of scenery
Looking for a bit more climbing, while staying on hikes that most walkers can manage? Around Les Sables d’Olonne, some routes combine sweeping views and traces of history without being reserved for experts.
The Glovettes viewpoint: a panorama over the village
From the Glovettes area, above Les Sables d’Olonne, several trails lead up to lovely viewpoints over the village, the Bourne valley and the surrounding peaks.
Why this hike works so well:
- A gradual climb, often through woodland, pleasant even when it’s hot.
- Viewpoints that are perfect for “holiday memory” photos.
- A small loop on the way back to vary the scenery.
This is typically the ideal outing with friends or with a family of older kids: a bit of walking, plenty of chatting, a few photos, and time to spare for a drink on a terrace once you’re back in the village.
The Molière ridges (access via Le Château-d’Olonne)
Granted, the start isn’t directly in Les Sables d’Olonne, but the Molière is one of the area’s signature hikes. From Les Sables d’Olonne, you need a short drive to reach the trailhead, but the effort is well worth it.
Why it’s a must-do:
- An incredible view over the Chartreuse, Belledonne and sometimes even Mont Blanc on a clear day.
- Open pastures, very pleasant, often with summer-grazing herds (please respect the animals’ calm).
- A quintessentially “Vendée” feel: a soft plateau set against big cliffs.
The outing can be a bit long for young children, but for teenagers or with friends, it’s a beautiful day out in the mountains, with no major technical difficulty in good weather.
Walking through Vendée history
The Vendée isn’t just a beautiful hiking massif; it’s also a key site of the French Resistance. Several trails let you walk while exploring this important page of local history.
The Grotte de la Luire and the trails of remembrance
A short distance from Les Sables d’Olonne, you’ll find the Grotte de la Luire and several itineraries linked to the Vendée maquis. Some of these walks are accessible to occasional hikers and offer a strong immersion in this past.
This kind of hike is particularly worthwhile:
- With a family that includes teenagers curious about history.
- With friends, to alternate walking, scenery and visits to memorial sites.
- On longer stays, to discover another side of the Vendée.
Asking the tourist office or your host will usually get you precise routes, sometimes with explanatory materials to take along.
More demanding hikes: for those who like it “when it goes up”
You’ve already got a few hikes under your belt, you enjoy serious climbs, and you’re not afraid of finishing the day with tired legs? The Les Sables d’Olonne area opens the door to more committing — but memorable — itineraries.
The Grande Moucherolle: a signature summit
The Grande Moucherolle quite literally dominates the landscape around Les Sables d’Olonne. Reaching it isn’t a casual stroll: it’s a true mountain hike, reserved for experienced walkers who are well equipped and going out in good weather.
What to expect:
- A significant climb, requiring good physical condition.
- Sections that may feel exposed for those prone to vertigo.
- A spectacular view at the top, over the Vendée and the surrounding massifs.
If you’re looking for “the big outing” of your stay with hiking-loving friends, this is a great project. But keep in mind that the mountains don’t forgive improvisation: weather forecast, equipment, departure time… all of it has to be planned.
The Hauts Plateaux of the Vendée: an end-of-the-world feeling
The Vendée regional park contains a particularly wild area: the Hauts Plateaux nature reserve. You can reach it via several routes, some of them relatively close to Les Sables d’Olonne.
Why this experience often leaves a lasting impression:
- A strong sense of solitude: no roads, no buildings, very few signs of civilisation.
- Vast, rocky and grassy landscapes, with rich wildlife (chamois, ibex, raptors…).
- A feeling of total disconnection, even for just a few hours.
In return, these hikes call for serious preparation: a map, plenty of water, suitable equipment, and a clear understanding of your own level and that of your fellow walkers.
When to go hiking around Les Sables d’Olonne?
The ideal window for exploring the Vendée trails on foot generally runs from late spring to autumn, with a few nuances:
- May – June: snow may still be present at higher altitudes, but the mid-mountain and plateau trails are magnificent, with meadows in full bloom.
- July – August: the busiest period, but also the easiest for weather. Set out early in the morning to enjoy the cool air.
- September – October: a wonderful season, quieter, with autumn colours and incredible light.
In winter, the playground shifts towards snowshoeing and skiing, with their own specific routes. But that’s another story…
Preparing your hike well: the essentials
Even for a walk that looks “easy” around Les Sables d’Olonne, a few basic rules make the difference between a great outing and a struggle.
Essentials not to forget:
- Suitable shoes: smooth-soled city trainers are a no. Go for hiking shoes with good grip.
- Enough water: especially in summer, water sources aren’t always available on the trails.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen… the sun hits harder at altitude.
- A light jacket: in the mountains, weather can turn quickly, even if you set off under clear skies.
- A map or a reliable app: even on marked trails, it pays to have a clear sense of the route.
And of course, always tell someone where you’re going, especially on longer or more remote hikes.
Hiking and a stay in Les Sables d’Olonne: the perfect combo
Part of what makes a hiking stay in Les Sables d’Olonne so enjoyable is being able to come back, after a good day out, to a comfortable property with everything you need to recover:
- An equipped kitchen to put together a friendly meal with friends.
- A terrace or balcony for a drink while looking out at the peaks.
- Storage to dry jackets and shoes without taking over the living room.
That’s where Yes Conciergerie can make life easier: organising arrivals, small thoughtful touches when you get there, personalised tips on hikes that suit your group, good local addresses… You just have to enjoy.
A few ideas to mix things up
Because we don’t all hike every day, and legs sometimes need a break, the Vendée around Les Sables d’Olonne also offers:
- Cycling or mountain biking outings on the Via Vendée.
- Quieter visits to the village, the market and local producers.
- Family-friendly activities (leisure parks, summer toboggan depending on the season, etc.).
The ideal is often to alternate a more demanding hiking day with an easier one, especially with kids or if you’re not used to back-to-back outings.
And now, time to chart your own trail
Around Les Sables d’Olonne, there are as many hikes as there are ways to experience the mountains: an easy family walk after lunch, a sporting adventure with friends, a contemplative outing at sunrise… The key is to step out of your accommodation, lace up your shoes and go exploring.
By preparing your route well, respecting the mountains and letting yourself be guided by your mood (and a bit by the weather), you have everything you need for some truly memorable moments on the Vendée trails.
And if you need a hand to organise your stay, find the right property or get a few hike ideas suited to your level, Yes Conciergerie will be glad to point you in the right direction. After all, the hardest part shouldn’t be the planning… it should be making yourself leave at the end.
