Burgundy Vineyard Trails

Hotel Dieu, Beaune

Walking near Rully

Vineyards above Meursault

Picnic near Auxey

Chateau de la Rochepot in Burgundy | John Millen

Walking near Meursault

Hotel Dieu, Beaune

Walking near Rully

Vineyards above Meursault

Picnic near Auxey

Chateau de la Rochepot in Burgundy | John Millen

Walking near Meursault

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

Duration

7 days

Activities

self guided walk

Accommodation

6 nights in 2-3 star hotels

Meals

1 Dinner
6 Breakfasts

Price

$1250USD

Overview

Trip Code: JBG

Trip 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

A great trip for food and wine buffs, with walking that is gentle to start with and progressing to moderate grade 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 its peaceful lanes and byways. Travellers 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 such as the Cote d’Or, Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits and is the obvious place to start our trip. The first walking day is just 3 hours on foot to Meursault; a gentle start allowing time to visit the sights in Beaune and sample some wine in the village of Pommard on route. Don’t miss the imposing mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy, the basilica of Notre Dame and the most famous of all the sights in Beaune, the steep pitched patterned roofs of the Hotel Dieu. A circular walk to Saint Romain includes a ruined chateau and a 12th century church as well as some beautiful scenery and a great restaurant for lunch. A steady climb from Meursault, to join the ‘Grande Randonnee’ paths, takes in mature oak forests before descending to the village and stunning chateau of La Rochepot, unfortunately closed at the present time. From there you will be walking on to Nolay, a village of fine mediaeval buildings, narrow streets and half-timbered houses. The second half of the week is a little more taxing and involves walking an average of just over 18km per day and ascents of about 500m climbing onto the escarpment and hilltops for glorious views as far as the Alps. There is still time however to enjoy the delights of Rully, the ancient Chateau of Montaigu, the produce of the Cotes Chalonnaises and many more sleepy hamlets and villages. The landscape is a mix of vineyards on the lower slopes, woodlands on the edge of the plateau, and pastures and arable land above 380m on the plateau. Conditions underfoot are good with many of the tracks through the vineyards surfaced even though there is little or no traffic; lightweight boots are all you will need.

Trip Grading

introductory to moderate

More info about grading system

Share trip:

Facebook Twitter Google+ Email

Traveller Rating

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrive Beaune

The first night is spent in a very comfortable 3* hotel in the historical part of Beaune located in a beautiful stone building that is in fact a former 16th century convent. Rooms are well presented with a modern design in warm colours and there is a pleasant lounge where you can sit and relax with a refreshing drink. There is a wide selection of restaurants close by. Upgrade Option: Hotel de la Poste - 4* This chic establishment has been renovated preserving the character of the building and a perfect balance has been found between the charm of past times and the comfort of today. Dinners (not included) can be taken in its refined restaurant or in the garden in fine weather.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Sightseeing & afternoon walk to Meursault 11.5 km/7 miles, 3h, +290m/-235m

The village of Meursault is 10 km / 6.2 miles southwest of Beaune in the middle of the vineyards. The virtually flat walk is easily done in 4 hours including a stop over at the café in the famous village of Pommard. We have designed this short first day in order to have time to visit the Hospices de Beaune and perhaps have an early lunch in Beaune before setting off to Meursault. Accommodation: For two nights unpack and make yourself at home in this comfortable 2* hotel of 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! On one night in Meursault, dinner will be taken at the hotel. The second night is on a bed & breakfast basis. Upgrade Option: Le Globe, in the heart of the village. This contemporary hotel, housed in a traditional Burgundy building, is renowned for its gourmet cuisine (dinners not included).

Meals: B,D

Day 3
Circular walk - 16 km/10 miles, 4h, +480m/-480m

The standard walk from here is a 16 km / 10 mile loop 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 approx. 220m of ascent and descent during the day but nothing too steep or demanding; there is plenty of time to take the walking at a gentle pace.

Meals: B

Day 4
Meursault to Nolay 17.5 km/10.8 miles, 4.5 h, +532m/-445m

Today leave the vineyards and after a steady climb of 140m, 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 although the chateau is currently closed. From La Rochepot, follow the GR7 before descending to the old market town of Nolay. Accommodation: A 2* hotel on the old market square in Nolay provides a convenient nights stop on the route.

Meals: B

Day 5
Rully 21 km/13 miles, 6h or to Chassey le Camp 17 km /10.5 miles, 4.5 h

Over the first 6 km, gradually ascend 200m through lovely pastures shared with the Charolais cows, (of which Burgundy is very proud). 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 or up to Chassey le Camp. Accommodation: Our hotel is on the main square, this time in the typical vineyard village of Rully. Rully will be our base to explore what is called here the Côtes Chalonaises. No doubt wine tasting will be a possibility! Bed & Breakfast only. Upgrade Option: Auberge du Camp Romain a 3* hotel with spa and swimming pool in Chassey le Camp. This is approximately 4 km from Rully. Dinner is included both nights in this case

Meals: B

Day 6
Circular walk from either Rully or Chassey le Camp

From Rully - 14 km / 8.6 miles or 17 km / 10.5 miles, 5 hours +452m/-452m From Chassey le Camp - 16 km / 10 miles or 19 km / 11.8 miles, 4 - 5hours 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 en route, but as long as you are not too late back for dinner, you can normally visit one in Rully from where it is not so hard to stagger back to Chassey le Camp! Clockwise loop to the villages of Mercurey, Rully and Nantoux. A very pretty walk on the Côte Chalonnaise.

Meals: B

Day 7
Arrangements end

Arrangements end after breakfast.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

6 breakfasts, 1 dinner (upgraded accommodation has 2 dinners)
6 nights accommodation in 2-3 * hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Upgrade accommodation package available
Luggage transfer
Information pack including route notes & maps
Emergency hotline
GPX Files

What's not included

5 dinners (4 with upgraded accommodation), all lunches & beverages
Entrance fees
City tourist taxes - Tourist Tax will have to be paid locally by travellers before they leave the hotels
Travel insurance
Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Guide - this is a self guided holiday
Excess Luggage

Grading

introductory to moderate

This tour is graded Easy – Moderate (Grade 2) Fitness: This walk should present no difficulties for anyone in reasonable condition and accustomed to day walks in undulating countryside. Day stages: 10km to 20km (24km without use of taxi on last day) per day with altitude gains varying from very little to 500m. 3 to 6 hours walking per day. This itinerary is planned to allow time to visit historic sites and vineyards along the route. Entrance fees and wine tasting is not included.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 Mar to 30 Nov

Notes

Note:

Accommodation upgrade option available, check "Options & Supplements" below.

Note:

When travelling in March or November it might be fairly cold.

Note:

Extra nights can be booked in each location, ask our team for further details.

DN4

Please note that minor changes to your 2024 itinerary may apply.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1250USD

Options & Supplements*

Upgraded Hotels SupplementUSD$370
Single Room Supplement (Standard Hotels)USD$440
Solo Traveller Supplement (Standard Hotels)USD$600
Single Room Supplement (Upgraded Hotels)USD$890
Solo Traveller Supplement (Upgraded Hotels)USD$1050

*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all | Collapse all

?Where you would you recommend an extra night?

Beaune is a fascinating small town and an extra day can easily be spent there.

?Is there much scope for wine tasting?

There are a few places where you could do this, but this is normally in the outlet stores and involving a payment. Most of the vineyards

or 'caves' on this route nowadays however only find it worth while to open up for pre arranged groups rather than interested couples or individuals.

?Are the trails busy?

Beaune has a lot of tourists, otherwise on the trails you won't see many walkers.

?Is Beaune easy to get to?

Up to 10 trains a day from Paris gare de Lyon to Beaune via Dijon taking about 2 hours, 30 mins. Or from Lyon up to 17 trains a day taking 1 hour 40 mins

?Why has Rochepot Chateau closed down to the public?

In October 2018, the castle was seized by the French government after investigation into an alleged money laundering scheme by Dmytro Malynovskyi, a Ukrainian. He was arrested when the scheme came to light where he purchased and lived in the castle after faking his own death.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.