Villepail: Hiking and Nature

Villepail is a destination for you if you want hiking and nature to shape your stay. Its varied highlights include the Réserve naturelle régionale Landes et tourbière des Égoutelles, the 11.5-kilometre Boucle des Bruyères and the Sentier de la Chapelle Bon Secours. When looking for a hotel in Villepail, you can first consider what kind of outing you want to focus on: a circular route with several ways to explore it, a hiking trail with historical connections, or a natural area with a discovery trail.

Natural Area and Discovery Trail

The Réserve naturelle régionale Landes et tourbière des Égoutelles covers about two hectares and is located on the site of a former quarry for Armorican sandstone. Its name refers to heathland and peat bog; its former use as a quarry also gives the natural area a historical connection. A raised discovery trail runs through the reserve. As visitor facilities may change, check before your visit whether the trail is currently accessible. Villepail therefore offers a dedicated nature-focused destination alongside its hiking routes.

Hiking Routes in Villepail

Boucle des Bruyères

The Boucle des Bruyères (No. 107) is an 11.5-kilometre circular route starting in Villepail. It can be used on foot, by mountain bike and on horseback. This gives you specific information for planning your outing: the route type, length and possible modes of travel. From Villepail, the route heads towards Chattemoue, where traditional houses are clad in slate and connected with the history of local slate mining. The direction towards Chattemoue adds a local architectural and industrial-historical point of interest to the activity details.

Sentier de la Chapelle Bon Secours

The Sentier de la Chapelle Bon Secours (No. 54) starts at the church in Villepail and is a hiking trail designated as a PR. At least 90 percent of its route follows unpaved paths. The trail also follows the former Roman road that connected Gué St-Léonard with Mayenne; a detour leads to the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours. The path surface, historical route and detour to the chapel are among the tour’s defining features. Its connection to the former road offers a different historical point of interest from the slate houses and slate mining towards Chattemoue.

When choosing between the two routes, you can compare the features that matter for your outing: the Boucle is defined by its circular layout, its 11.5-kilometre length and the option to travel on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. The Sentier is shaped by its unpaved sections, the former road connection and the detour to the chapel. With its raised discovery trail, the reserve offers a third, nature-focused option. The destinations described thus offer different perspectives on a stay in Villepail.

Discover more destinations: Laval, Beaulieu-Sur-Oudon, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds, Ernée, Saint-Denis-D'anjou, Saint-Denis-De-Gastines, La Rouaudière, Saint-Germain-Le-Fouilloux.

Go to the main travel overview: Mayenne.