Family nature immersion with a donkey
Take time to slow down with this donkey trek in the Brionnais region of southern Burgundy. For three days, you'll traverse the peaceful landscapes of the Burgundian bocage, between rolling hills, meadows bordered by hedgerows, and Romanesque villages nestled in the heart of unspoiled countryside. A true escape into nature to reconnect with what truly matters.
This donkey trek in Burgundy This allows you to experience a more complete, gentle journey, ideal for gradually immersing yourself in the tranquil rhythm of walking. Whether with family, as a couple, or with friends, you'll discover an authentic region, far from the hustle and bustle, where each stage reveals a new panorama of the Brionnais.
Before setting off, a preparation session with a professional will teach you how to equip your companion: fitting the pack saddle, checking the equipment, and understanding the basics of leading and daily care. This guidance ensures independence and safety throughout your trek with a donkey.
As the days go by, the donkey carries your luggage and becomes a true companion. It motivates the children, reassures the parents, and establishes a natural pace of about 3 km/h, perfect for observation and conversation. You take the time to admire the Charolais cows in the meadows, walk along sunken lanes, and appreciate the panoramic views of the Brionnais hills.
Each evening, you'll enjoy comfortable accommodation in a bed and breakfast or with a local family. Meals showcase local Burgundy specialties, extending the experience through conviviality and the simple pleasure of good food.
This hike with a donkey in the Brionnais It perfectly embodies slow tourism: walking light, savoring each stage and experiencing three days of travel in Burgundy in a spirit of simplicity, sharing and authenticity.
The highlights of this hiking trip
- A multi-day hiking trip in the Brionnais region, between the canal, the Loire River, hedged farmland and peaceful valleys.
- A true introduction to hiking with a donkey, with complete guidance from the very first day.
- Gradual and accessible steps ideal for a smooth experience
- Warm accommodations in bed and breakfasts and hotels to combine comfort and local immersion
- A stay rich in discoveries: the Brionnais bocage, Romanesque churches and panoramas over the Loire
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Destination
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Start time
Melay (71340) -
Departure time
9:00 -
Arriving time
17:00 -
Equipment
Helmets are mandatory for children
Picture gallery
Day 1
From Melay to Saint-Bonnet-de-Cray
Your hiking with a donkey The hike in the Brionnais region begins in Melay. Meet at 9 a.m. to get acquainted with your hiking partner. If you arrive the day before, preparations can be arranged from 17 p.m. onwards to ensure a relaxed start to the next day's stage.
For approximately two hours, you will discover the essential basics of the hiking with a donkey in Burgundy This involves fitting the pack saddle, brushing and preparing the animal, understanding its rhythm, and learning to guide it calmly. This time spent learning is invaluable: it allows you to set off with confidence and approach slow travel with autonomy and safety.
The first few kilometers follow the Roanne canal in DigoinThe towpath, flat and shaded, is ideal for finding the right pace. The donkey settles into its rhythm, the children are enthusiastic, and everyone gets used to this different way of walking.
After crossing the Loire, you enter the heart of the Brionnais bocage, a landscape typical of southern Burgundy. Hedgerows define the fields, meadows are home to the famous Charolais cattle, and the roads alternate between quiet country lanes and rural paths. A gradual climb opens up sweeping views of the surrounding hills before a gentle descent towards Saint-Bonnet-de-Cray.
At the end of the day, the warm welcome from your host provides a welcome respite. The comfortable accommodation and the convivial dinner extend this immersion in an authentic, rural Burgundy.
This first step sets the tone for the stay: a gentle journey through the Brionnais region, where nature, simplicity and human encounters combine to create a profoundly restorative experience.
Accommodation in guest rooms and meals at the host's table on site.
13 km or approximately 4 hours of walking / D+: 30 m and D-: 271 m
Day 2
From Saint-Bonnet-de-Cray to Saint-Julien-de-Jonzy
This second step of your hiking with a donkey in the Brionnais It takes you to the heart of a peaceful and luminous landscape. You leave Saint-Bonnet-de-Cray to reach the Bézo valley, a small, discreet river that meanders between the hedged meadows.
The path follows quiet trails, bordered by hedgerows and meadows where Charolais cows graze. Here, nature is simple, unspoiled, and profoundly rural. The donkey's steady pace invites you to slow down, observe, and fully enjoy this gentle journey through Burgundy.
The Bézo Valley offers a soothing atmosphere. You walk to the gentle sound of flowing water, in an ideal setting for a family donkey trek, far from the crowded trails. Children find their own pace, adults relax and enjoy the ride, and everyone savors this timeless interlude.
At the end of the day, you will climb the hill that will lead you to the small village of Saint-Julien-de-Jonzy.
This stage perfectly illustrates the spirit of a hike with a donkey in Burgundy: authentic landscapes, a serene pace, and the simple pleasure of traveling together through the heart of the Brionnais region.
Hotel accommodation.
14 km, approximately 5 hours of walking (a 3 km shortcut is possible) / Elevation gain: 327 m and Elevation loss: 265 m
Day 7
From Saint-Julien-de-Jonzy to Melay
After the climbs of the previous days, it's time to descend back towards the LoireThis stage of your hike in the Brionnais takes you into a luminous deciduous forest, where the silence is only disturbed by the song of birds and the rustling of leaves under your feet.
Gradually, the landscape opens up, revealing the valley. A detour to the Romanesque church of Iguerande is a must: perched on its hill, it majestically overlooks the river and offers one of the most beautiful views in the region. This suspended moment between sky and Loire gives your hike its full significance.
Just opposite, a small museum sometimes offers an unexpected and friendly encounter. A different way to discover the soul of the Brionnais region, through its inhabitants and its history.
The descent towards Melay is then gentle. This last day perfectly sums up the spirit of a Brionnais hike: open landscapes, Romanesque heritage and the simple pleasure of walking in the heart of an authentic countryside.
12,5 km or approximately 4 hours of walking / D+: 30 m and D-: 174 m
Before setting off, benefit from comprehensive training with a professional donkey trekker . You'll learn how to care for this gentle and patient animal – brushing, cleaning its hooves, putting on the pack saddle – and receive all the necessary instructions to easily guide your donkey. With your new trekking companion, you can confidently explore the Brionnais region.
Given the maximum weight a donkey can carry (30 to 35 kilos maximum per donkey), we recommend one donkey for every 3 to 4 people. This rule varies depending on the children's ages and their ability to walk the entire hike: we therefore advise you to carefully assess the weight the donkey will have to carry during the hike and consider hiring an additional donkey if necessary.
What you need for your donkey trek:
- Your clothes (don't forget practical, lightweight rain gear and caps).
A good pair of hiking shoes and possibly a second pair to rest your feet in the evening BUT LIGHT (sandal type). - Shower gel and shampoo not provided in guest rooms.
- One water bottle per person of at least 1,5 liters which will be filled every morning before your departure.
- A small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, bandages, aspirin, mosquito and tick repellent, tick remover, sunscreen).
- A mountain bike helmet for children riding the donkey (MANDATORY, not provided).
- A water spray bottle (usually used for plants), very useful for cooling you down during hot weather.
What you don't need for your donkey trek:
- You don't need towels, sheets or sleeping bags.
- You don't need any picnic equipment, everything will be provided.
- Games for children (there is everything you need in the accommodation).
- Extra food (including for the donkey), meals, breakfasts and picnics are very plentiful, don't worry!
It is recommended to have a minimum knowledge of reading IGN maps.
Walking times are given as an indication, without break times and depend on your walking level.
NB: D+: elevation gain, D-: elevation gain downhill.
The Federation has designed a practical tool to estimate the difficulty of a hike with a donkey.
A simple tool that we used to give you an idea of the level required for this hike.
The FFRandonnée rating is intended to be a faithful reflection of the difficulty of a hike expressed according to 3 criteria: EFFORT, TECHNICITY and RISK
General level of the hike: NOT HARD
- EFFORT: LEVEL 3/5: NOT HARD
Hiking requires a certain physical commitment, but it remains measured. This level corresponds to moderate hiking.
- TECHNICALITY: Level 2/5: QUITE EASY
Route or portion of a route with obstacles less than or equal to ankle height. The foot is placed by looking for "flat" or "comfortable" areas of the support, which are fairly easy to identify.
- RISK: Level 2/5: FAIRLY LOW: fairly low level of risk of accidents.
Exposure to danger remains limited. Injuries are possible but minor (examples: path with fairly steep relief with possible embankments, possible dislocations and sprains in the event of a fall, etc.).
De 210 to 230 € per adult in a double room with full board
De 165 to 185 € per child from 12 years old on full board
De 130 to 150 € per child under 12 years old on full board
De 70 to 90 € per child under 3 years old on full board
20 € per child sleeping in a cot
210 € per donkey rented (one donkey for 3 to 4 people)
These rates are for a minimum of 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child aged 12 and over participating and staying in the same room. For families of more than 5 people, for people wanting separate rooms, a supplement will be indicated in the quote. For single-parent families with children under 12, a supplement will be indicated in the quote.
These rates are given for information purposes only. Depending on your requests, a customized quote will be established before booking. Do not hesitate to let us know any useful information for organizing your stay.
The donkey trek program is given for information purposes only, it may be modified depending on weather conditions, the level of the group and/or the availability of accommodation.
These prices include:
- Your donkey's hiking equipment (pack saddle and saddlebags) and its food.
- The complete organization of your hike.
- Accommodation during the hike includes full board from picnic lunch on day 1 to picnic lunch on day 7.
- The departure briefing: advice on leading a donkey, itinerary.
- The routes on the IGN map for each day of hiking, as well as a detailed route map.
- GPX tracks for each day of hiking can be downloaded before your arrival.
These prices do not include:
- Drinks and personal expenses.
- Accommodation the day before and the last day of hiking.
From €71 per adult in a double room with full board.
From €48 per child aged 12 and over, full board.
From €32 per child under 12 years old with full board.
From €20 per child under 4 years old with full board.
From €10 per child sleeping in a cot. - Transportation to the starting point of the hike and back.
- The repatriation of the donkey and hikers to the starting point in the event of abandonment on your part.
- Multi-risk insurance
- Transporting luggage by vehicle.