Marigné-Laillé offers a variety of nature experiences for an outdoor stay: the Forêt de Bercé right next to the village, opportunities for hiking and trails by the water. There is also the “Le Chemin creux” circular trail, the GR 35 and the option to follow the L’AUNE river. You can plan your day around a named walking route with specific details, or use the river as your point of reference. Both approaches give you a clear question to guide your plans for the day: What kind of activity would you like to focus on?

Forest right next to the village

The Forêt de Bercé lies immediately next to the village and is classified as a “Forêt d'exception.” You can explore the forest in any season on marked and authorized trails. Two points are therefore important when visiting: exploring the forest is not limited to a particular season, but you should use marked and authorized trails. Its classification and location make the forest a distinctive feature of Marigné-Laillé.

Hiking in Marigné-Laillé

For a circular hike with a clearly stated distance, consider “Le Chemin creux.” The circular trail in Marigné-Laillé is 8.6 kilometers long, with an optional variant that shortens it to 4 kilometers. This gives you two different distances to choose from for the same circular route. The shorter option is an alternative if you would like to cover less ground without choosing a different route.

The circular trail is listed as taking two hours. This time estimate complements the distance as a guide for planning; your own walking time may differ. You can also hike the GR 35 in Marigné-Laillé, offering another named route. When choosing a trail, you can therefore take the circular route’s specific distance into account or include the GR 35 in your plans.

Along the L’AUNE to ponds and meadows

If you would like to use the river as your point of reference, you can follow the L’AUNE on foot or by bicycle and then reach ponds and meadows. The sequence gives the outing a clear progression: follow the river, then continue to the landscape features mentioned. This makes the plan different from a circular hike with a set distance. Here, the focus is on moving alongside the water and reaching the ponds and meadows.

Taking a break and fishing at the ponds

Picnic tables are available by the ponds, so you can plan a break by the water. Fishing takes place regularly at the larger pond during trout-stocking operations. If you would like to fish yourself, check the current access requirements before your visit, as they may change. You can plan your time by the water according to what you have in mind: taking a break at the tables or fishing, for which the applicable requirements are important.

When choosing between these outings, the main consideration is how you want to spend your day: “Le Chemin creux” offers a circular hike with two distance options; the route along the L’AUNE follows the river and then leads to ponds and meadows. Decide whether you would like to focus on a specific circular route or on following the water.

Discover more destinations: Thoiré-sur-Dinan, Rouillon, Cérans-Foulletourte, Écommoy, Mamers, Saint-Calais, Bonnétable, Crosmières

See the broader travel guide: Sarthe.