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Exploring the Seine on the Île-de-France – hike the GR 2

Floyd

Exploring the Seine on the Île-de-France – hike the GR 2

Hiking Collection by Fred Urrutia

14

days

3-6 h

/ day

163 mi

8,950 ft

9,000 ft

The GR 2, known as the ‘Sentier de la Seine’, is one of the oldest long-distance footpaths in France. The route follows the River Seine and its hinterland, revealing wonderful French countryside. With 862 kilometres (535 mi) of paths, completing this hike is no easy feat. As a Parisian, I want to guide you 260 kilometres (161 mi) from Montereau-Fault-Yonne to Gommecourt in the Île-de-France region in 14 stages.

You explore Paris in a different light: the mysterious, hidden corners and secret stories. You visit the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Louvre, the Invalides or the Eiffel Tower, but they are by no means the focal point. The GR 2 passes these most iconic monuments before leaving the city behind to explore the natural sites beyond its boundary. You discover forests, parks, ponds, rivers, flora and fauna… it’s impossible to list everything.

The Seine is relatively accessible on foot and the terrain is mostly flat. You can always find somewhere to stop for refreshments or public transport. This means you can easily return to Paris or spend the night where the stage ends.

Pack your camera ready to snap some shots of bridges, the beautiful river and its surroundings. There’s no need to wear hiking boots, walking shoes with cushioning are sufficient. Low to medium height hiking boots (with Gore-Tex, depending on the season) are ideal.

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Exploring the Seine on the Île-de-France – hike the GR 2

161 mi

8,700 ft

8,825 ft

Last updated: August 9, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

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Tours

  1. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

    Stage 1: Montereau-Fault-Yonne to Samoreau – hike the GR 2

    06:36
    15.3 mi
    2.3 mph
    975 ft
    975 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The first stage of the GR 2 begins in Montereau-Fault-Yonne, in Seine-et-Marne, where the Yonne leads to the Seine. The bridge from which you start your adventure offers a breathtaking view of the two rivers. Try to keep this image in mind, because in the days that follow, you will see the Seine mutate

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  2. 04:03
    9.62 mi
    2.4 mph
    400 ft
    375 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The second section of our adventure promises to be shorter and easier. A 15.5 kilometer route that alternates between the two banks of the Seine, the protagonist of the GR 2. If you pick up where we left off the day before, you will have to cross the river at the Pont de Valvins, a bridge in reinforced

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  4. 04:02
    9.70 mi
    2.4 mph
    275 ft
    300 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The third day of hiking remains fairly easy, with approximately 15 kilometers to cover, on flat ground. You will leave from Bois-le-Roi, along the Seine, on the Quai de la Ruelle. This part of the path allows you to approach a few meters from the water, for a walk in complete serenity. The banks of the

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  5. 05:51
    13.9 mi
    2.4 mph
    575 ft
    600 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    As announced at the end of the previous stage, this day will be a little more demanding, with around 22 kilometers of walking. Instead of following the Seine, the first part of the route bypasses the heather nature reserve of Sainte-Assise, passing through Cesson-la-Forêt. The setting is quite bucolic

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  6. 04:42
    11.5 mi
    2.4 mph
    150 ft
    150 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This section of the GR 2 presents several points of street art and graffiti. The bright colors of the designs contrast with the natural setting in which they are located. The abandoned buildings add a decadent touch to the decor and give it a certain charm. At the Étiolles bridge in Évry, the graffiti

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  7. 03:37
    8.73 mi
    2.4 mph
    225 ft
    250 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    We are gradually approaching Paris, but there is still a stretch before entering the walls of the capital. Before leaving Juvisy-sur-Orge, the walk in the Parc des Grottes is quite pretty, with a peaceful body of water.

    

    The path continues along the Orge. The route of the GR 2 does not include a detour

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  8. 05:37
    13.6 mi
    2.4 mph
    350 ft
    325 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The big day has arrived when you go hiking in Paris! Admittedly, it's urban hiking, but the capital is full of green corners to practice your favorite sport.

    

    At the beginning of this section of the GR 2, you move away from the Seine to join the Marne, crossing Alfortville and Créteil. These two town names

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  9. 04:06
    9.86 mi
    2.4 mph
    275 ft
    300 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage of the GR 2 crosses the heart of Paris and reveals its treasures to you. At the beginning of the route, the path runs along the Seine, through the Tino Rossi garden, also known as the Outdoor Sculpture Museum. You will see many very original works of art there. No neutral decor like in a traditional

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  10. 04:56
    11.1 mi
    2.3 mph
    1,100 ft
    800 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    For our ninth day of hiking, we momentarily leave the Seine. It is replaced by woods, forests, parks and ponds. Once you have seen the buildings of the Musical Seine, just before the Pont de Sèvres, the GR 2 enters the forest of Meudon and continues with the Bois de Fausses Reposes and the Domaine de

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  11. 05:02
    12.0 mi
    2.4 mph
    375 ft
    575 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage goes from Bougival to La Frette-sur-Seine, almost 20 kilometers of road. While the first segment includes a fairly steep climb and descent, the rest of the course is on flat, easy terrain.

    

    Indeed, at the very beginning, you have to cross the Parc de la Jonchère which is organized around a hill

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  12. 05:25
    12.7 mi
    2.3 mph
    675 ft
    700 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    While the first part of this stretch is on flat, easy terrain, the second half will demand all of your energy. After 11 kilometers of easy trail, a slope begins to emerge. It will reach approximately 18% incline. Then the terrain becomes quite hilly. Knowing these two separate parts beforehand will save

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  13. 05:49
    13.1 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,300 ft
    1,125 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This section of the GR 2 crosses several towns with a rich architectural heritage. During the day you will see many castles and very well preserved old medieval churches.

    

    For example, at the very beginning, you can take a small detour to the castle of Vaux-sur-Seine. Its eclectic architecture makes it

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  14. 05:15
    11.5 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,175 ft
    1,450 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    The first part of this section of the GR 2 continues in the French Vexin. As before, the terrain is quite hilly. Halfway through the route, you have a very steep descent to Vétheuil.

    

    It is a picturesque village which has a rich cultural heritage. Among its monuments, we can mention its beautiful church

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  15. 04:47
    10.6 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,100 ft
    1,075 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Here we are at the end of the hike on this stage of the GR 2. And the beauty of the landscape accompanies you to the end. At the exit of La Roche-Guyon, you can contemplate the panorama of the cliffs on the slopes of the Seine. A unique landscape in Île-de-France, often unknown to the general public

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Collection Stats

  • Tours
    14
  • Distance
    163 mi
  • Duration
    69:49 h
  • Elevation
    8,950 ft9,000 ft

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