Chat with us on WhatsApp. We're just a message away.Self-Guided
at your own pace
4 days
100 km
~25 km/day
moderate
Beaune
ends Cluny
2–12
participants
Casual Inns (3-4★)
May – Jun, Sep
Embark on a journey through Burgundy's storied wine country, following ancient pilgrimage routes from the wine capital of Beaune to the spiritual center of Cluny. This self-guided walking adventure takes you through celebrated vineyard regions including Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise, passing through charming villages like Pommard and Chassagne-Montrachet. The trail coincides with the historic German and Hungarian Ways of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Experience stone-walled hillside paths, Romanesque churches, medieval ramparts, and traditional vine grower huts. Your pilgrimage culminates at the magnificent Abbey of Cluny, once Europe's spiritual heart. This route perfectly blends cultural heritage, gastronomic delights, and the natural beauty of the Burgundy countryside.
Highlights
Walk through world-famous vineyard regions including Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise, passing through legendary wine villages such as Pommard, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Rully, Mercurey, and Givry. Experience hillside paths traced with ancient stone walls that wind through some of France's most celebrated wine terroirs.
Follow the ancient German and Hungarian Ways of St. James to Santiago de Compostela, discovering chapels, crosses, and medieval religious sites that have guided pilgrims for centuries. Your journey culminates at Cluny Abbey, once the spiritual center of medieval Europe with immense influence over religion, art, and politics.
Immerse yourself in the region's rich history through Romanesque churches, medieval ramparts, 15th-century observation towers, Gallo-Roman camps, ancient châteaux, and traditional cabottes (stone vine grower huts). Visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, explore charming villages with communal wash houses, and experience the pastoral beauty of Charolais cattle country.
6 Days from $1,495
Free cancellation · Up to 60 days before group departure
| Day | Place | casual Inns | Meals | Distance | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Beaune | Hostellerie de la Bretonnière | D | - | |
| 02 | Chagny | Hôtel de la Poste | B,D | 21 km / 13 mi | hiking |
| 03 | Dracy le Fort | Hôtel Le Dracy | B,D | 21 km / 13 mi | hiking |
| 04 | Saint Boil | Auberge du Cheval Blanc | B,D | 29 km / 18 mi | hiking |
| 05 | Cluny | Hôtel de Bourgogne | B,D | 29 km / 18 mi | hiking |
| 06 | Departure | - | B | - |
Meals: B = Breakfast · L = Lunch · D = Dinner
Listed hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with similar alternatives.
Welcome to Beaune, the renowned capital of Burgundy wine country. Upon arrival at your charming 18th-century hotel, you'll receive all materials needed for your walking journey. Spend the afternoon exploring the town's treasures, including the Chapelle Saint Jacques with its pilgrimage connections, the historic Commanderie du Temple, and the famous Hospices de Beaune with its distinctive colored tile roof.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Hostellerie de la Bretonnière
Your walking adventure begins across the vine-covered slopes of the Côtes de Beaune. Trace pathways through prestigious wine villages from Volnay to Meursault, where castle ruins overlook the vineyards. The day concludes in Chagny, a town distinguished by its 15th-century watchtower and well-preserved architectural heritage.
Meals: B,D
Hiking Distance: 21 km / 13 mi
Accommodation: Hôtel de la Poste
Continue your vineyard traverse through the Côte Chalonnaise wine region, visiting Rully where Roman soldiers once camped at the Camp de César. Walk through the captivating village of Mercurey with its medieval ramparts, passing ancient stone crosses, communal wash houses, and traditional vintner cottages. The path leads through Givry before reaching your accommodation in Dracy le Fort.
Meals: B,D
Hiking Distance: 21 km / 13 mi
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Dracy
Follow the scenic Voie Verte greenway through an authentic Burgundy landscape. The trail alternates between forest paths and pastoral countryside, revealing small stone cabottes (vine growers' shelters) scattered among the vineyards. Pass through peaceful villages and fields where white Charolais cattle graze, experiencing the region's rural charm away from tourist crowds.
Meals: B,D
Hiking Distance: 29 km / 18 mi
Accommodation: Auberge du Cheval Blanc
The landscape transitions to rolling hills as you approach your destination. Make time to explore St Gengoux-le-National with its Romanesque church, medieval ramparts, and distinctive gargoyles. Consider visiting the elegant château and gardens at Cormatin and the renowned Taizé ecumenical community. Your pilgrimage route culminates in Cluny, medieval Europe's spiritual epicenter, where the magnificent abbey ruins, ancient fortifications, and the National Stud Farm await your discovery.
Meals: B,D
Hiking Distance: 29 km / 18 mi
Accommodation: Hôtel de Bourgogne
After breakfast, your walking pilgrimage through Burgundy concludes. Included transfer from Cluny to Macon with memories of vineyard paths, medieval villages, and spiritual landmarks that have drawn travelers for centuries.
Meals: B
Lodging
All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).
Luggage Transfer
Transportation of luggage from one hotel to another.
Airport Drop
Enjoy a hassle-free group airport drop to finish your journey. Available only on the tour end date.
Meals
Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.
❖ 5 overnights
❖ 5 breakfasts and 5 Dinners
❖ Daily luggage transfer to the next hotel
❖ Description of the tour
❖ Roadbook (IGN maps and itinerary details)
❖ GPS tracks to follow on a mobile App
❖ Tourist information
❖ Welcome briefing
❖ 7/7 assistance
❖ Tourist taxes
❖ Taxi transfer from Cluny’s hotel to Macon
Airport Pickup
We recommend to book directly from airport.
Beverages
Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.
Gratuity
Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.
Beaune
Cluny
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
ARRIVAL
Arrive in Beaune on Day 1, ideally in the late afternoon. Hotel rooms are available from 3:00 pm, and a welcome meeting is typically scheduled at 6:00 pm at your first hotel. Beaune is well connected by train. From Paris, take a high-speed TGV train to Dijon, then continue by regional train to Beaune. Regional train connections are also available from Lyon and Mâcon. The Beaune train station is approximately a 15-minute walk from most hotels.
For those arriving by air, the nearest international airports are Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. From Lyon Airport, take a tram or shuttle to Lyon Part-Dieu station and continue by train to Beaune. From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, direct TGV connections are available to Dijon, followed by a regional train to Beaune.
Optional taxi transfers are available from Beaune train station to your hotel for approximately €30.
DEPARTURE
Your tour ends in Cluny on Day 6 after breakfast. Please note that Cluny does not have a train station. To continue your journey, take Bus LR701 to Chalon-sur-Saône or Mâcon (approx. €1.50), where you can access onward train connections.
From Mâcon, high-speed TGV services are available via Mâcon-Loché TGV Station, offering connections to major cities such as Paris and Lyon.
Alternatively, private transfers can be arranged with Taxi Mâcon Service (+33 6 34 64 13 65) to Mâcon town center or the TGV station. Optional taxi transfers from your hotel in Cluny to Mâcon are available for approximately €60.
The best time to enjoy this walking tour is from May to June and September, when temperatures range between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), offering pleasant weather and ideal walking conditions through the vineyards.
April, July, and August are considered good months, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F) in spring and 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) in summer, though July and August can feel warm during longer walks.
March and October fall into mixed season, with temperatures between 8°C to 18°C (46°F to 64°F) and a higher chance of rain, especially in October when autumn colors enhance the landscape.
The winter months from November to February are considered off-season due to colder temperatures and increased rainfall.
January
Offseason
February
Offseason
March
Mixed
April
Good
May
Best
June
Best
July
Good
August
Good
September
Best
October
Mixed
November
Offseason
December
Offseason
Packing wisely ensures comfort and safety on your hiking adventure. This list covers essential hiking gear, clothing, and travel items to help you handle varied terrain and weather conditions.
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one daypack. Mark your luggage clearly with your name, address, and phone number.
Before venturing on your adventure, make sure you're equipped with essential travel advice, including security updates, local laws, and crucial passport and visa information. Start by visiting the official government website of your home country for accurate and reliable guidance:
Note: Passport and visa regulations can change at any time. Check for updates close to departure to avoid last-minute issues.
Medical insurance that covers medical costs in case of an accident during the trip is mandatory to participate in our tours.
We recommend purchasing adequate travel insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen events. Our experience shows that guests who purchase travel insurance, including coverage for all activities on the itinerary, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage damage, loss or theft, personal accident, death and repatriation costs, medical and emergency expenses, and personal liability, travel with greater peace of mind.
Is proof of medical insurance required?
Yes. You must provide your insurer's name, policy number, and emergency contact through our reservation form. If you cannot provide proof, you'll need to purchase insurance before traveling with us.
Can I use my credit card insurance?
Yes, as long as it meets our requirements and provides adequate coverage. Keep your emergency contact number and policy number accessible while traveling.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Purchase travel insurance as soon as you've paid in full or booked your flights.
Does Art of Bicycle Trips sell travel insurance?
We do not sell travel insurance directly. We recommend comparing policies and choosing the one that best fits your needs. A useful place to start is Insured Nomads.
This tour is moderate with some long stages and small hills to climb, but no technical sections. You should be used to long walks of several days and comfortable on uneven and rocky ground.
You'll mostly walk on asphalt vineyard roads, countryside roads, and walking trails with no traffic roads. The paths wind through vineyards, forests, and pastoral countryside.
At your welcome briefing, you'll receive a complete travel folder containing vouchers, luggage tags, a roadbook with IGN maps and detailed itinerary, hotel list, and tourist information. You'll also get access to GPS tracks via the Ride With GPS mobile app one month before departure.
Your luggage is transferred between hotels each day. Leave your bags (maximum 20kg, ideally 15kg main bag plus 5kg small bag) at reception before 9:00 am with tags attached. They'll be delivered to your next hotel before 5:00 pm, often in the early afternoon.
Beaune train station is a 15-minute walk from hotels, accessible via high-speed trains from Paris to Dijon with regional connection, or regional trains from Lyon or Mâcon. Free and paid parking available in Beaune (see parking map). From Cluny, which has no train station, take Bus LR701 to Chalon-sur-Saone or Macon (€1.50), or arrange taxi transfer to Macon train stations.
The package includes 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, daily luggage transfer, route description, roadbook with IGN maps, GPS tracks, tourist information, welcome briefing, 7/7 assistance, and tourist taxes.
Lunches, dinners, drinks, personal expenses, visits or activities, insurance, train tickets, and any optional extras or services are not included.
Active Tours provides a hotline available 8am-9pm including weekends. Call the agency at +33 3 80 26 17 12 (9am-6pm) or the emergency mobile at +33 7 73 71 25 95 outside office hours.
