Burgundy Vineyard Trails, 8 days

A great self-guided hiking trip for food and wine buffs, with walking that starts gently and progress as the week unfolds. Burgundy’s natural riches and its complex history bear testimony to its fine heritage. It is a beautiful and fertile land where farmers, foresters, and above all wine growers’ skills have nurtured the landscape for more than a thousand years.

The reputation of Burgundy’s cuisine has travelled the world and the very word Burgundy is synonymous with the finest wines. Burgundy is a multifaceted landscape just waiting to be explored, and, as elsewhere in France, the best way to savour it, is to explore on foot on its peaceful lanes and byways. Hikers will discover a fabled land of mediaeval chateaux, ancient monasteries and fragrant breezes where the art of living is pursued to near perfection at a gentle unhurried pace. Beaune is the hub of Burgundy’s wine industry, at the heart of a cluster of prestigious vineyards and is the right place to start trip.

Many of the hiking routes through the vineyards are generally flat and there is little or no traffic. Walking shoes with good sole grip are all you will need.

Trip duration: 8 days

You need to have a spirit for adventure, independence and self-management on this self-guided trip.

Activity	Hiking, Self-Guided
Country	France
Hiking Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus
Season	03 – March, 04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October, 11 – November

Itinerary

Highlights

~ Walking in the ‘Land of Great Art and Good Living’.

~ Hiking from historic Beaune through the Village of Burgundy.

~ Chateaux and ancient churches.

~ A walking itinerary that reads more like a wine list.

Day 01 Arrive Beaune

Situated just a couple of hundred metres from the town centre in a quiet back street, the accommodation in this historic part of Beaune incorporates the old city walls in its structure. Relax by the pleasant courtyard. There is a wide selection of restaurants close by.

Meal: nil.

Stay: hotel.

Day 02 Beaune – Muersault

Today’s walk is specially designed to be short so that you have time to visit the Hospices de Beaune in the morning.

Perhaps have an early lunch in Beaune before setting off to Meursault. The village of Meursault is 10 KM southwest of Beaune in the middle of the vineyards. The virtually flat walk is easily done in 4 hours including a stopover at the café in the famous village of Pommard.

Stay 2 nights in the pretty village of Meursault. It is reputedly the centre of the best chardonnay production in Burgundy and is therefore the best place to do a little tasting to introduce yourself to the produce of the land!

Tonight, dinner will be provided at the hotel as we believe it has just about the best restaurant in town!

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay: hotel.

Hiking Duration: 3 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 11.5 KM approx.

Elevation: +290 M / -235 M.

Day 03 Muersault – Saint Romain – Muersault

Walk to the beautiful village of Saint Romain. The ruins of the chateau include Roman foundations and the XII century church was an old ‘prieuré’ or small monastery. The restaurant in the village provides the best lunch break. There is plenty of time to take the walking at a gentle pace.

Meal: Breakfast.

Stay: hotel.

Hiking Duration: 4 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 16 KM approx.

Elevation: +480 M / -480 M.

Day 04 Muersault – Nolay

Leave the vineyards and after a steady climb of 140 M, meet the GR76 and walk in the shade of the typical oak forests of Burgundy. Coming out of the woods, see the village of La Rochepot with the stunning château of the same name. There is a good local restaurant in the village and the visit of the chateau is well worthwhile. From La Rochepot, follow the GR7 before descending to the old market town square of Nolay.

Meal: Breakfast.

Stay: hotel.

Hiking Duration: 5 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 17.5 KM approx.

Elevation: +532 M / -445 M.

Day 05 Nolay – Rully / Chassey le Camp

Trips starting Sundays to Wednesdays

During the first 6 KM, gradually ascend 200 M through lovely pastures shared with the Charolais cows, (of which Burgundy is very proud of). Once on top of the ridge and before going down to the village of Santenay, there are wide reaching views of the Saone plain with the Alps in the distance. Then follow the GR7, walk across the Canal du Centre, walk up and down the Hermitage Mountain before descending through the vineyards of Rully.

The hotel is located on the main square in the typical vineyard village of Rully. The owner has strong local accent and is very proud of his roots. He is a fine host and changes the restaurant menu every day offering a variety of local dishes. Rully will be our base to explore what is called here the Côtes Chalonaises. No doubt wine tasting will be a possibility!

Trips starting Thursdays to Saturdays

Spent our nights at the Auberge du Camp Romain, a 3-star hotel with spa and swimming pool in Chassey le Camp.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay: local hotel.

Hiking Duration: 6 hours OR 5 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 21 KM OR 17 KM approx.

Day 06 Circular Walk, Cote Chalonnaise

From Rully

A very pretty walk on the Côte Chalonnaise. There is a mixture of vineyard, field and forest walking. You could visit any ‘Caves’ wine cellars that you find open enroute, but as long as you are not too late back for dinner.

From Chassey le Camp

A very pretty walk on the Côte Chalonnaise. There is a mixture of vineyard, field and forest walking. You could visit any ‘Caves’ wine cellars that you find open enroute. Make a stop at Rully for early dinner before staggering back to Chassey le Camp! Clockwise loop to the villages of Mercurey, Rully and Nantoux.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay: local hotel.

Hiking Duration: 5 hours OR 6 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 14/17 KM OR 16/19 KM approx.

Elevation: +452 M / -452 M.

Day 07 Rully / Chassey le Camp – Beaune

A long day northwards back to Beaune across undulating ground. Cross the Canal du Centre at the village of Remigny and walk through the famous vineyards of Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet. Walk across the village of Volnay on the way back to Pommard. From here, you can either retrace the route from day two for 4 KM back into Beaune or call for a taxi (not included) to fast track.

Meal: Breakfast.

Stay: hotel.

Hiking Duration: 6 hours approx. Hiking Distance: 24.5 KM OR 23 KM approx.

Day 08 Depart Beaune

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for your onward journey or check out (1100 hours).

Meal: Breakfast.

Inclusions

~ 7 nights accommodation with ensuite facilities basing on twin sharing basis;

~ 7 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners;

~ luggage transfer;

~ digital route notes & maps;

~ emergency hotline.

Exclusions

~ air travel to France;

~ visa arrangement;

~ lunches & dinners;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ entrance fees to places of interest;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary & inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This self-guided trip is good for 1 hiker to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter France, it is your responsibility to obtain such a document before departure.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the hikers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ All hikers are strongly encouraged to be appropriately dressed in the right footwear (covered hiking shoes) and attire suitable for hiking.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ If hiker presents difficulty in completing the hike of the day, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker (and travel companions) in mind. The hiker can fast track to the next accommodation making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during any time of the planned hiking day or make it a rest day, and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Burgundy Vineyard Trails, 8 days