Hiking guides and maps on the GR® 3

GR® 3, the wild Loire on foot

The GR® 3 is the first official long-distance hiking trail created in France. Its idea emerged in 1937, thanks to Mr. Gauthier, a passionate member of the Orléans Naturalists group. In an article, he proposed the creation of a hiking trail along the Loire. The first section was inaugurated in 1947, followed by two more the following year.

The GR® 3, also known as the Loire long-distance hiking trail, follows the course of the river for nearly 1,243 km and can be divided into 52 stages. It is one of the very first marked trails in France, marked by the famous white and red stripes.
It generally runs from east to west, beginning at Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc in Ardèche and continuing to Saint-Nazaire, where the Loire flows into the Atlantic.

The GR3 crosses 12 departments: Haute-Loire, Loire, Allier, Nièvre, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Loire-Atlantique… The GR3 Loire-Atlantique section is particularly popular for its coastal walks and excursions around Nantes or on the customs officers’ path in Pornic.

A hike with tourist and cultural discoveries

The GR® 3 is much more than just a hiking trail: it’s a true immersion into the landscapes, heritage, and culture of the Loire Valley. Here are some of the route’s main attractions :

• The Loire Valley châteaux : Chambord, Blois, Saumur, Chinon, and Montsoreau mark the route.
• The wild Loire and its tributaries : between sandbanks, islets, reed beds, and birdwatching observatories, it’s a paradise for nature lovers.
• The Goulaine Marshes and Estuary : a unique passage between fresh and salt water, with the possibility of hiking around Nantes or the Atlantic coast.
• Local gastronomy : cheeses, Loire wines, rillauds, freshwater fish. A gourmet stop at every stage.
• Charming towns and villages : Orléans, Tours, Saumur, Angers, Nantes, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil…

The GR® 3 offers a variety of landscapes: mountains, valleys, vineyards, groves, wetlands and coastlines.

Routes connected to the GR3

The GR® 3 crosses several other major hiking and cycling routes, allowing you to adapt or extend your route as you wish:

• GR36 – From the English Channel to the Pyrenees : Connecting the English Channel to the Mediterranean, the GR36 intersects with the GR3, particularly in the Loire region, offering a unique opportunity to extend your exploration north or south through diverse landscapes.
• GR7 – From the Vosges to the Pyrenees : This iconic trail, which crosses France from north to south, from the Vosges to the Pyrenees, intersects with the GR3, opening up the possibility of combining two historic routes for a richer and more complete experience.
• GR13 – From the Gâtinais to the Morvan : Crossing Francefrom west to east, the GR13 intersects with the GR3, allowing walkers to discover other fascinating cultural and natural aspects of the country.
• GR46 and GR41 : In Tours, they join the GR3, creating ideal strategic points for exploring both the city’s historical heritage and continuing on to other horizons.
• GR65 – Compostela – Le Puy Way : This famous trail, also known as the Way of St. James, meets the GR3 at several points, offering walkers the opportunity to connect their adventure along the Loire with a legendary spiritual journey to Santiago de Compostela.

For more guides and maps, please visit the GR page.