Six train-to-train hikes to discover the Fontainebleau Forest using the Navigo pass.

Setting off on an adventure without even taking the car—is that possible? Absolutely, and even more so when Paris is home to the Fontainebleau Forest, an exceptional natural expanse just under an hour by train from Gare de Lyon.

The Fontainebleau forest is this natural massif of 22,000 hectares that lets Parisians and Île-de-France residents slip away for a nature-filled, immersive escape, less than an hour from the capital. Hitting the trails sounds great, but how do you reach the marked paths when you don’t have a car? To answer that, we’ve gathered the best hikes that are accessible gare à gare—train-station to train-station—for a car-free outing, with a Navigo pass as your sole passport.

From the gorges d’Apremont to the rocher de l’Éléphant, via the sentier des 25 Bosses or the iconic tour du massif de Fontainebleau, the office de tourisme du Pays de Fontainebleau has lined up several hiking routes so you can set off on an adventure—wander and soak up the fresh air in the most accessible way possible (i.e., using public transport and the single €2.50 ticket to travel from one point to another across Île-de-France).

6 hikes accessible by public transport in the Fontainebleau Forest:

Those we've already tried:

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 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]

The options offered by the Fontainebleau Pays de Fontainebleau Tourism Office:

From Bois-le-Roi to Fontainebleau-Avon Station

25 km, moderate difficulty, 6h15, information and itinerary

Along the Water: Exploring the Park and Gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau

8 km, about 3 hours, easy level, Details and itinerary

From Fontainebleau-Avon railway station to Bourron-Marlotte–Grez railway station

23 km, 5h45, moderate difficulty, information and itinerary

From Fontainebleau station to Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons station

15 km, 3h45, easy

Warning: Fontainebleau Forest has no drinking fountains or easily accessible water sources (they’re a rare sight across the forest massif); be sure to bring at least 2 litres of water per person per day, sunscreen, a hat, a picnic, and plenty of snacks to keep you fueled along the way. Happy hiking to all!

Hiking: our favorite routes and circuits in the Fontainebleau massif and forest (77)
In Seine-et-Marne, the Fontainebleau massif is a must for hikers, so we've selected our favorite itineraries in this natural corner of the Île-de-France region. [Read more]