Located less than 10 km from the Vendée coast and Brétignolles sur Mer, Lac du Jaunay is one of the largest in the region. With a length of 8 km, it offers a number of activities such as canoeing, paddle boarding or pedal boating during the summer. But if there’s something you can do all year round, it’s around the lake on a 5 km, 8 km or 13 km hike. Let’s choose your shoes and go hiking !

Short hiking on the right part of the lake

This wing is relatively flat and presents no difficulty. We have already done it several times with my son and the difficulty level is 1 for this small 5 km path. Sometimes, there are a few mud puddles or trees across the path to pass but nothing bad. On Sunday, the runners are even accompanied by their child on the bike. You just have to be careful of the few roots that stick out.

The path does not leave the edge of the lake. On one side, you walk in the forest and on the other, you are out in the open most of the time. It is also not uncommon to see fishermen on this part of the lake. If you choose to walk this part of the lake, park at:

  • The central car park above the bridge which cuts the lake in two
  • The small parking lot on the other side of the bridge; the one at the edge of the lake and which allows you to go to the other wing
  • Another very small car park closer to the houses and which are “hidden” in the greenery
  • The mini parking lot of the observatory footbridge at the very end of the lake

In short, you will have understood, summer and winter, there is no shortage of parking possibilities. And that’s without counting the other access paths and parking lots around the lake.

Note: this part of the lake is more passable in winter because it is less muddy and little flooded. But no matter what, wear waterproof hiking shoes. Conversely, in summer, simple sneakers often do the trick.

A steep hike to Lac du Jaunay

This part of the lake is 8 km long. From our point of view (child and adult), this loop is more interesting. On one side, the path is steep and allows you to overlook the lake at its highest point. On the other hand, the path is more regular but sometimes has technical climbs. Be careful where you put your feet because, on one side or the other, you are surrounded by trees.

Please note that this part is not passable by bike unless you are mountain biking and have good control of your vehicle. In winter, some slopes are really very steep and uneven, when the water rushes down the hillsides. On the other hand, this loop is appreciated by runners who are well challenged. But as always, we watch where we put our feet.

At several places on the loop you can picnic. With or without a table, on grass or a rock, enjoy yourself. At the end of the lake, there is a dam. Point of interest for children…. mine anyway. Especially when the floodgates are opened wide.

This hike can be done in summer as in winter but be careful because in winter, water comes from all sides and in particular from the fields which slope towards the lake. Waterproof high-top shoes are essential. Sometimes you even have to jump (without slipping) from one trunk to another or better wear boots…

13 km hiking path around Lake Jaunay

The most courageous embark on the long hike which takes you from one side of the lake to the other. Good walkers will do the tour in less than 3 hours despite the difference in altitude on certain portions. As always, you will have more people on the 8 km part than on the 5 km part; enough to balance your outing.

Whatever the season, we always take water with us and some compotes and cakes. For the bathroom break, you have to go to the only toilets around the lake. They are located near the houses at the junction of the two wings of the lake.

Credits : OT Pays des Achards et Julien Gazeau