Loire Bourgogne Randonnées Travel agency - local and sustainable tourism H I K I N G W I T H A D O N K E Y SIX-DAY UNACCOMPANIED HIKE WITH A DONKEY Hike with a donkey to the border of the WELCOME IN BRIONNAIS Brionnais, romanesque IN BURGUNDY garden of Burgundy, to Six days where you will take the paths of this discover its Romanesque magnificent bocage which will lead you to the most treasures beautiful Romanesque churches in Burgundy This six-day donkey trek will offer you all the pleasures of a family vacation where you share 6 days of hike 5 nights simple but authentic moments. The donkey will be the link that will unite you, far from screens and Medium level stress, a nature moment to disconnect from your daily life and reconnect to simple but essential things, to get together, to live an adventure that Bed and breakfast and unusual will be one of your best memory. accomodations THE PROGRAM After training with a Day 1 professional trekking donkey, where you will learn to take care From Melay to Saint Julien de Jonzy : of this animal so gentle and Meet at 9 am, in the town of Melay, at the Donkey Farm patient (brushing, cleaning the for two hours of lessons "how to care about my donkey feet, putting the materiel) and and how to drive it easily?" (if you come from far where all the explanations to enough, we advise you to arrive the day before, the " conduct your Donkey in the most training "will then take place around 5pm). simply way, will be given to you, You start your hike gently through the towpath of the you can leave serene with your canal, then cross the river Loire to new walking companion. The donkey will carry your hike on the small paths of Brionnais: paths are bordered luggage and the youngest with hedgerows : it's typical of children when they are tired. A the Brionnais grove. You will pass under the small village real ally for parents, because it of Fleury la Montagne. You will see in the distance the is always there to motivate church of Mailly and you will end your hike at Saint Julien children who will surprise de Jonzy. It's a varied and very panoramic hike parenrts with their walking ability. Day 2 These six days will allow you to discover the Loire Valley: an From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Vauban : easy hike because with very little A day like a promise: time for oneself, the sweetness of elevation. You will then have all the landscape and an authentic nature ... for all that, you the time to appreciate the many will find the valley of the Bézo, pretty little river winding birds that live by the river : the in the middle of the meadows or graze peacefully the many storks, the various species cows charolaises. You can then go for a quiet day or of herons that feast on fish and alone pushes the pace of the current ... then you will at the right times, maybe you reach your evening step can observe the African bee- crossing the small forest of Foumoux. eaters, the geese and swans in full migration. Day 3 And in the evening, the family, tired but relaxed, will enjoy a From Vauban to Amanzé : nice stopover with the locals, It is towards the eastern borders of Brionnais that you welcomed as friends, at a table will venture: small stone walls, small chapel, and one where you will be offered meals discreet Romanesque church in Vareilles, so many small made with good local Burgundy hidden treasures that will be offered to you. Here, products with a hint of everything is only calm, luxury and pleasure, it will take exoticism, the owner being from time to daydream under a big oak tree, to put you in the Reunion island! rhythm of the Charolaises who brood, watch the A ride with a donkey, is the best buzzards and hawks hunt, close your eyes to better "slow tourism" : a regular listen and feel : What a pleasant hike! rhythm of 3 km per hour, time to enjoy the landscape, a nap in the shade of an oak tree, a W A L K I N G L E V E L meeting with a talkative farmer, Medium time stands still and everything DAY 1 : 15 km (Short cut possible: 1,5 and 3 km) - 4 h of walk will become so peaceful. D+ : 367 m et D- : 189 m DAY 2 : 12,5 km (short cut possible of 2 km) : D+ : 234 m et D - : 319 m DAY 3 : 14 km - 4 h walking (short cut possible of 2 km) : D+ : 252 m et D - : 258 m Please note, this program is given for information only, it can be modified depending on weather conditions, group level and / or availability of accommodation. The walking times are given for information only, without the break times and depend on your walking level. NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent. THE PROGRAM ACCOMODATION Day 4 First night : B&B or wiwgam accomodation From Amanzé to Saint Christophe en Brionnais : Amazing hike that will take you to Oyé, through this beautiful peaceful village that has a castle (fifteenth- sixteenth century). You can visit the French garden, from July to the end of August. Oye depended on the lords of Semur until in the thirteenth century a junior branch inherited it. It is a breeding area that you S e c o n d n i g h t : cross and that beautiful farms that you will meet will be T i p i a c c o m o d a t i o n w i t h proof that this breeding has allowed the wealth of these a s w i m m i n g p o o l lands! That's why we talk about green gold! Day 5 DAY 5 : From Saint Christophe en Brionnais to Saint Julien de Jonzy : T h i r d n i g h t : It's a balancing day: it goes up as much as it goes down! b & B , o r g i t e o n a f a r m That's why we call this part of Brionnais the "little o r h o u s e i n a t r e e Switzerland" :many hills and valleys compose it and give a good rhythm to your hike! You will then finish your hike in a beautiful forest on softer elevations! Day 6 F o u r t h n i g h t : From Saint Julien de Jonzy to Melay : S t o p o v e r ( o n l y f o r y o u r A day to disconnect: your program "nature and f a m i l y o r y o u r g r o u p ) tranquility": you start your hike in the forest: you cross huge forests of hardwoods like the wood of the tower, the big wood, the wood of the priests, the wood of the king. At the exit of this forest, it's easy to arrive on the heights of Iguerande, where you finish the hike by visiting the magnificent Romanesque church of F i f t h n i g h t : Iguerande overlooking the Loire Valley, a breathtaking B & B a c c o m o d a t i o n view on the river ... Give yourself space time ! W A L K I N G L E V E L Medium DAY 4 : 16 km - 4 h 30 walking (short cut 2 and 5 km) : D+ : O n s i t e , y o u w i l l e a t a t 335 m / D- : 250 m t h e t a b l e d ' h ô t e s . DAY 5 : 14 km - 4h walking (short cut 1,5 and 3,5 km) : D+ : 330 m / D- : 322 m T h e p i c n i c o f D a y 1 DAY 6 : 14 km - 4 h of hiking / D+ : 254 m et D- : 432 m w i l l b e p r e p a r e d b y Please note, this program is given for information only, B o u g r e s d ' â n e s a n d t h e it can be modified depending on weather conditions, p i c n i c o f t h e f o l l o w i n g group level and / or availability of accommodation. The walking times are given for information only, d a y s b y t h e without the break times and depend on your walking a c c o m m o d a t i o n w h e r e level. y o u s t a y NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent. LUGGAGE LEVEL ZOOM PREPARATION T h e F r e n c h F e d e r a t i o n o f h i k i n g h a s d e s i g n e d a p r a c t i c a l t o o l t o e s t i m a t e t h e Don't charge too much ! d i f f i c u l t y o f t h e h i k e s , a The donkey carries 30 to 35 kilos maximum weight of s i m p l e o n e t h a t w e h a v e u s e d luggage and children included: take only useful things! t o g i v e y o u a n i d e a o f t h e l e v e l r e q u i r e d f o r t h i s h i k e .