Hiking: our favorite routes and circuits in the Fontainebleau massif and forest (77)

Once a royal hunting ground, the Fontainebleau forest massif is now the scene of some superb hiking andclimbing sessions. With a unique landscape, as magical in autumn with its tawny colors as in winter, under the snow, or in spring with the first buds of the season, it's the place to be for outdoor sports enthusiasts, and all this less than an hour from the capital.

• To be read
• This week's top deals in Paris and Île-de-France, February 2–8, 2026
• The ultimate guide to running and road races in Paris and Île-de-France for 2026

Easily served (or at least, the major towns covering the forest) by public transport, the Massif Forestier is known for its iconic itineraries, such as the 25 moguls, the Tour Denecourt trail... Or for its timeless walks, discovering the Apremont gorges or the Elephant rock.

Magical, mystical, enchanting: the forest of Fontainebleau boasts numerous signposted itineraries (i.e., with markings painted on the trees or rocks). We take a look at the most beautiful walks these 22,000 hectares of nature have to offer.

The most beautiful hikes to discover in the Fontainebleau massif and forest:

Les Sables du Cul-du-Chien: an unusual desert of fine sand in the heart of the forest in Seine-et-Marne
In Noisy-sur-École, Seine-et-Marne (77), discover a beach... without water! The "sables du cul du chien", on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, offer a nature getaway that's accessible all year round. An ideal spot for climbers, hikers and Sunday explorers! [Read more]

Le tour du massif de Fontainebleau, the great hike to discover a mythical forest
Known as the TMF in hiking circles, the Tour du Massif de Fontainebleau offers a wide-ranging itinerary to tackle the most emblematic forest in the Île-de-France region. [Read more]

The Trans'Bleausarde: the great touring trek through the forest of Fontainebleau
For hikers in Paris and the Ile-de-France, it's a forest that needs no introduction. Incontrovertible and majestic, the Fontainebleau forest is the perfect terrain for hiking, and only an hour away from Paris by public transport. [Read more]

The Denecourt trail to the Denecourt Tower in Fontainebleau, the historical walk
We take you back in time to the forest of Fontainebleau in Seine-et-Marne with the Denecourt-Colinet trail no. 2, a signposted route lasting around 1h30. This historic trail combines rocky landscapes, fountains and artistic curiosities, all the way to the mythical Tour Denecourt. Did you know? Denecourt was the inventor of the world's first signposted trails in the Fontainebleau forest, and the forerunner of green tourism. [Read more]

Hiking: the 25 moguls circuit, the GR 20 in the Fontainebleau forest in the Paris region
In Corsica, they have the GR 20, reputed to be the most difficult of the French Grande Randonnée (GR) trails. In the Île-de-France region, we're a long way from rivalling the circuit's 200 kilometers and 11,000 meters of ascent, yet it's here, in the forest of Fontainebleau, that you'll find one of the region's most demanding hikes. [Read more]

Discover the forest of Fontainebleau on a supervised horseback ride
The Fontainebleau forest is particularly well known for its hiking trails, natural climbing blocks and beautiful vegetation. Less than an hour from Paris, you can also discover the forest on horseback! [Read more]

The free Arbor&Sens walking trail in the Fontainebleau forest, the Franchard Arboretum
Arbor&Sens is the name of this free, easy-to-use walking trail in the Fontainebleau forest, near the Château. Free, accessible to all and educational, this walk takes us on a discovery of tree species, their origins and their uses. [Read more]

Le sentier de l'érosion, an accessible walk in Fontainebleau, discovering the Apremont gorges
Among the beautiful walks and hikes to be enjoyed in Fontainebleau, don't miss the Sentier de l'érosion loop. Less than 2 kilometers long, this family-friendly walk takes you through the Apremont gorges, between forest and beautiful rocks sculpted by nature. [Read more]

The unusual walks of Fontânebleau, to discover the forest with donkeys
If you are looking for an original activity to do with or without children during the vacations, Fontânebleau organizes hikes on request, ranging from one hour to four hours in Achères-la-Forêt, where donkeys live peacefully. [Read more]