Quick information

• Hike:  Sur les sommets sur Yvette 
• Beginning/Finish: Gare Bures Sur Yvette
• Distance: 17km
• Level: Medium
• Itinerary: Check the map here

When you think about Paris, what first come to your mind is probably its unique architecture, fantastic museums, Eiffel tower or a promenade or cruise along Seine.

If you like spending time in nature, Paris offers many pleasant parcs where you can hide from the heat in the summer, have a picnic, and even in some of them play tennis or badminton.

Paris undoubtedly offers a lot of entertainment with countless concerts, exhibitions, vernissages and many other events, all so diverse that people of every age, budget and interests will find something suitable for them.

What is less known and much appreciated by nature lovers is that apart of plenty of urban activities and small parcs, Paris region is surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Within 1 hour drive by car or by train you can get to the national parcs, vast forests or have a hike among small hills.

In many small towns of Paris region (Ile de France) you will find impressive castles, old abbeys and houses of famous French impressionists (if you want to see some charming French town around Paris, look here).

When exploring the area around Paris (but also other places where I live for few months/years), I each time realize that travelling local is as meaningful as the far away trips to exotic places (which I also love). You can plan your small travels just one day ahead or for upcoming weekend, you don’t need to book your transport and you can stay few hours shorter or longer. I appreciate this freedom and realize that when I keep my mind and eyes open I can have a lot of discoveries in places which are just around.

In this post I will include our explorations of local forests around Paris, a 17km hike which I found very diverse. This is one of the best hikes I’ve done around Paris so far, the name of it is Sur les sommets sur Yvette which I would translate as Through the peaks along Yvette. The hike goes through 3 peaks of small hills, and the path goes around Yvette river. What I like about the walk is the diversity, you climb 3 hills, walk along the valleys, cross fields, horse farms and local villages, and the path is easily accessible both by car and public transport.

Let’s have a walk then 😉

The hike starts in Gare Bures sur Yvette which is around 40 minutes by train from Paris (RER B). There is plenty of trains along the day until late hours so you’re not very pressed with timing. The hike also ends here which is very convenient.

Here you will find a link to the hike including a map in case you plan to do it yourself 🙂

You cross the small town and get to the forest area to climb the first peak.

After walking along the valley, it’s time for next peak. You have small benches along the slope where you can rest a bit or have a small snack 🙂