Circular walks

Map updated on March 21, 2024.
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Here you will find information on 4 shorter circular walks from Vézelay:

1. Around Vézelay ('North') (19 km)
2. To Le Chemin and back (50 km)
3. Via the Yonne & the Vézelay Route ('West') (75 km)
4. Via the Vézelay Route & the Morvan ('East') (99 km)

On the map opposite you can see the circular walks (light purple lines) by clicking on the symbol above the white triangle and then on the eye icon to the left of the desired option. (Tip: click off the Tour de Vézelay.) You will find more information if you click on a line or a marker.
(You will find more information on the map here, top right).

Information on the go:

• files to install on your smartphone:
  > itineraries (KML/GPX):
  see below (one file per route)
  > directions (PDF):
  see below (two or three files per route)
  The information about accommodation, shops, etc. is not included, but can be downloaded from: facilities (PDF and KML/GPX).

Tips:

• if you can't download a file, try again with another browser
• the new app Organic Maps has the same structure as Maps.me and functions better
• this is a manual (PDF) to install KML/GPX-files on your smartphone.

1. Around Vézelay ('North'; 19 km)

A varied walk through the valley of the Cure, highlights being: Tharoiseau and, on the other side of the valley, Vézelay.
The centuries-long pilgrimage history of Vézelay can be found in the Cross of Montjoie (near Tharoiseau), the Saint James Church of Asquins, and of course in Vézelay itself. 
The walk mainly goes through fields and vineyards. That is why you can often enjoy great views.

• Itinerary:
  - KMLfile (Maps.me, Google Earth) (April 17, 2019)
  - GPX file (other applications) (April 17, 2019)
• Directions (PDF):
  - ** part 1.1 (Tour de Vézelay North) (2021)
  - ** part 1.2 (connection) (2021)

2. To Le Chemin and back (50 km)

The outward journey, via the Vézelay (pilgrimage) Route, first follows the valley of the Cure, upstream. Then it crosses a ridge –via forests, Bazoches (castle) and again forests- to the open countryside between Neuffontaines and Le Chemin.
The return route remains at a higher altitude, first via an old Roman road, then via the castle of Vauban, the church of Saint Aubin and the edge of the Cure valley.

• Itinerary: 
  - KML file (Maps.me, Google Earth) (July 29, 2019)
  - GPX file (other applications) (Juli 29, 2019)
• Directions (PDF):
  - ** part 2.1 (Vézelay Route) (2021)
  - ** part 2.2 (way back) (2021)

3. Via the Yonne & the Vézelay Route ('West'; 75 km)

From Vézelay, on the valley of the Cure, the route goes through forests to the valley of the Yonne, with historic small towns such as Asnois and Tannay, with remarkable churches and castles, with vineyards and views. The route then returns in a wide arc to the valley of the Cure, first through a hilly, open landscape (crowned by some wooded hilltops), then through forests around the castle of Bazoches.

• Itinerary: 
  - KML file (Maps.me, Google Earth) (Juli 29, 2019)
  - GPX file (other applications) (Juli 29, 2019)
• Directions (PDF):
  - ** part 3.1 (= Tour de Vézelay West) (2021)
  - ** part 3.2 (= Vézelay Route, in opposite direction) (2021)

4. Via the Vézelay Route & the Morvan ('East'; 99 km)

The Vézelay (pilgrimage) Route first follows the Cure, upstream. Then it crosses a ridge –via forests, Bazoches (castle) and again forests- to the open countryside between Neuffontaines and Le Chemin.
From Lormes you really cross the Morvan: forests, lakes, small-scale meadows and fields, bordered by hedges, rows of trees, and stone walls. Halfway between Brassy and Chastellux, the route rejoins the Cure, to follow it back to Vézelay.

• Itinerary: 
  - KML file (Maps.me, Google Earth) (July 29, 2019)
  - GPX file (overig) (July 29, 2019)
• Directions (PDF):
  - ** part 4.1 (Vézelay Route) (2021)
  - ** part 4.2 (Tour de Vézelay East) (2021)
  - ** part 4.3 (connection) (2021)