Hiking in Burgundy: Trails with Stunning Views and Rich History

With sweeping vineyards peppered with medieval villages, emerald hills speckled with mustard fields, sprawling forests, and wine-making traditions that hark back centuries, Burgundy is a hiker’s paradise.

Some 6,000km (3,700 miles) of well-marked footpaths meander through this scenic region in eastern France, offering an almost endless choice of trails. Whether you are seeking one of the country’s legendary long-distance GR (“Grande Randonnée”) trails, a spiritual pilgrimage, or a family-friendly romp between the vines, there is a hike in Burgundy perfectly suited to your interests.

Flat, smooth towpaths, some accessible to travelers with disabilities, allow easy exploration along Burgundy’s tranquil waterways. Moreover, peaceful voie vertes (green ways) let walkers enjoy the serene landscapes away from motorized noise. Families often enjoy trekking with a donkey, which carries gear and, if necessary, small tired children.

Useful websites for route-planning include Burgundy Tourism and the Comité Départemental de Randonnée Pédestre de la Côte d’Or. Before your visit, consider downloading the free Balades en Bourgogne app, which offers fascinating audio histories of Burgundy villages and vineyards as you walk.

Sentier des Roches

Best Cliff-Top Views

15km (9 miles) round trip, 5 hours, moderate

Burgundy’s best wines come from the vine-covered Côte d’Or, extending south from Dijon for approximately 60km (37 miles). Enjoy a memorable day walk in the southern part of this wine lover’s paradise, which presents ample opportunities to relish stunning vistas. The trail begins in Orches, a village 13km (8 miles) southwest of Beaune, renowned for its exquisite Cote de Beaune vintages crafted by local vignerons since the Middle Ages.

The circular trail follows a segment of the GR7 long-distance route and traces the D171 along the stunning Falaises de Baubigny escarpment. There, hikers are treated to spectacular views of meticulously groomed vineyards, the River Saone, and charming villages of golden stone houses seemingly glued to the soaring cliffs.

The loop features attractive villages (Orches, St-Romain, Évelle, Baubigny, Dracy, among others) where you can pause for a coffee or sample the area’s famous dry whites and delicate reds. Although closed to the public, the Feudal Château de Rochepot, with its signature glazed-tile roof and sea of witch-hat spires, is breathtaking. The village of La Rochepot offers a couple of chambres d’hôtes (B&Bs) if you choose to extend your stay; wine estate Domaine Guy Fouquerand comes highly recommended.

La Roche de Solutré

Best Family Hike

4km (2.5 miles) round trip, one hour return, easy

Follow in the footsteps of history as you trek to this stunning craggy outcrop, known for its tumultuous past with bandits and resistance fighters. President François Mitterand ascended Solutré annually during his presidency, and families continue to visit year after year.

Well-maintained gravel footpaths, rocky in spots but never steep, gradually ascend the limestone formation, rewarding hikers who reach the 495m (1,624ft) summit with sweeping views of Burgundy’s celebrated Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards. On clear days, the majestic snow-capped Mont Blanc in the Alps is a sight to behold at sunset.

Beginning at the signposted trail near the Musée de Préhistoire de Solutré, located 8km (5 miles) west of Mâcon, the site boasts prehistoric horse fossils indicating habitation as early as 28,000 to 10,000 BCE. The museum brilliantly evokes the lives of local hunters from the Solutrean period.

Trailing Vercingétorix from Bibracte to Alésia

Best Historical Route

120km (75 miles), 4 days, moderate

Embark on a historical journey to the Gallic oppidum (fortified village) of Bibracte, a significant site for fans of the Astérix comic series. This hillside stronghold, located 25km (15 miles) west of Autun on Mont Beuvray, was the capital of the Aedui Celts in the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE, where Vercingétorix was appointed chief of the Gauls in 52 BCE, only to later be defeated by Julius Caesar and his Roman legions.

Relive the battle at Bibracte’s Musée de la Civilisation Celtique before following the historic trail through the scenic Burgundy countryside, leading to the actual battleground at Alésia. Here, the site is commemorated with an impressive museum and theme park.

This four-day hike presents stunning views through the beautiful Parc Natural Régional du Morvan, characterized by dense woodlands, lakes, and peaceful farmland. Pick up hiking maps at the Maison du Parc in St-Brisson. Enjoy picturesque canal views around the charming villages of Braux and Brianny, as well as scenic stops at the chateau-clad Vic-sous-Thil and hilltop Flavigny-sur-Ozerain.

Voie de Vézelay

Best Spiritual Journey

80km (50 miles), 3–4 days, moderate

No route is more revered than the pilgrimage along the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle, connecting with Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Four different routes across France are noted in the original Codex Calixtinus, written for pilgrims in the 12th century. Our recommendation is the Voie de Vézelay, beginning in the quaint hilltop village of Vézelay and meandering through a picturesque rural landscape.

The full route spans approximately 1,100km (685 miles) to St-Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees, but we suggest focusing on the opening leg through Burgundy, which is dotted with exceptional UNESCO World Heritage sites. This pastoral three-day trek includes gentle forest paths, unpaved country lanes, and dramatic landscapes, featuring ancient farms, churches, and scenic streams.

Commencing near the stunning Romanesque basilica in Vézelay, the trail descends through an ancient city gate and offers splits along its pilgrimage route. Follow the northern trail (via Bourges) to reach the magnificent UNESCO-listed Église Ste-Croix-Notre-Dame in La Charité-sur-Loire three days later. Staying in pilgrim hostels allows delightful opportunities to enjoy authentic French home-cooked meals with locals.

Chemin des Grands Cru

Best Vineyard Walk

8km (5 miles) round trip, 3 hours, easy

The complete route of the Grande Randonnée de Pays des Grand Crus, also known as the Chemin des Grands Cru, is a world-class 90km (55 mile) trek lasting three days or more, commencing in the Burgundian wine capital, Dijon, and traversing some of the finest vineyards and wineries globally. Nevertheless, it can be easily divided into shorter sections.

The scenic loop around the village of Vosne-Romanée stands out as an oenological highlight. The trail initiates by the village church on Rue du Temps Perdu, winding beside the exclusive parcelle (vineyard) of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, renowned for producing the most coveted red wine. Strolling through this enchanting landscape of gnarled vines, rich with sun-kissed Pinot Noir grapes during summer, is truly representative of the Burgundy experience.

Afterward, allow approximately 20 minutes to cross the D109 and explore additional vineyards until you reach Château du Clos du Vougeot, often considered the birthplace of Burgundian wines. This 16th-century chateau and estate served as a retreat for wine-loving monks from nearby Abbaye de Cîteaux, known for their medieval wine production. Behind-the-scenes tours offer insights into the cellar’s workings, historic wine presses, and casks.

When planning your journey along the Chemin des Grands Cru route, don’t miss Fixin (boasting a unique polychrome bell tower), Chambolle-Musigny (featuring exceptional dining options close to a rocky hillside), and Gevrey-Chambertin (celebrated for its wine-making legacy), all of which are worth exploring on foot.

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