Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin is a national nature reserve protecting a 9 km stretch of the Loire River, located approximately 4 km downstream from Orléans. This area encompasses 263 hectares, with an additional 90-hectare protection perimeter, and is characterized by the dynamic flow of the Loire River. Its landscape features alluvial forests, river islands, and diverse aquatic habitats, creating a mosaic of environments suitable for various outdoor pursuits. The reserve's unique geography and rich biodiversity support several sports like touring…
157
Routes
4.4
(413)
Average rating
5351
People visited

4.7
(7)
26
riders
26.6km
01:33
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
27
riders
13.8km
00:47
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(26)
275
riders
38.8km
02:39
140m
140m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(95)
666
riders
37.7km
02:08
80m
80m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
127km
05:05
320m
330m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.5
(2)
5
riders
85.5km
03:26
220m
220m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(4)
296
riders
42.0km
01:39
130m
130m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.8
(5)
101
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
228
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

176
runners
10.6km
01:13
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
168
runners
9.42km
01:02
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

83
runners
18.3km
02:04
70m
70m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(6)
82
hikers
7.48km
01:53
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
84
hikers
6.65km
01:43
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
46
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(11)
53
hikers
14.1km
03:37
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
47
riders
110km
06:43
310m
310m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
26
riders
49.4km
03:07
170m
170m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(3)
46
riders
33.9km
01:50
90m
90m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
25
riders
60.7km
03:39
180m
180m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(13)
31
riders
48.4km
03:11
100m
100m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(3)
39
riders
46.8km
02:47
110m
110m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(4)
29
riders
38.0km
02:15
120m
120m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
82.2km
05:23
210m
210m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin offers a range of outdoor activities including touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, hiking, mountain biking, and gravel biking. The reserve's diverse landscape along the Loire River provides varied environments for these pursuits. More than 79,000 visitors have shared their experiences on komoot.
Yes, the reserve is suitable for cycling, with routes that are part of the broader Loire à Vélo network. The terrain is generally flat, making it accessible for various skill levels. Explore available options through the Cycling in Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin guide.
The flat terrain along the Loire River makes many cycling routes suitable for families. The "Discovery Trail des Isles" in Mareau-aux-Prés is a 1.6-mile (2.5 km) looped course accessible by bike, featuring interpretive panels. Picnic tables and bike carriers are available at the Isles parking area.
The reserve offers numerous trails and paths for hiking, allowing visitors to explore its preserved natural environment. These trails provide opportunities to observe the diverse flora and fauna. Find more information in the Hiking in Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin guide.
The reserve features alluvial forests with white willows and black poplars, lawns, meadows, and aquatic herbaceous beds. Islands and islets, constantly reshaped by the Loire River, are also prominent. The Pointe de Courpain, an alluvial woodland, is a notable feature at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers.
The reserve is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including more than 37 mammal species, such as European beavers and otters. Numerous bird species like terns, European kingfishers, and ospreys are present. The reserve also supports various fish, amphibians, dragonflies, and over 870 vascular plant species.
Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin is a popular destination, with more than 79,000 visitors sharing their experiences on komoot. The routes in the reserve have an average rating of 4.44 stars from over 6,000 ratings.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the reserve, including Traffic-free bike rides, Road Cycling Routes, and Running Trails. Guides for family-friendly hikes and MTB Trails are also available.
The floating ranunculus, which forms spectacular white carpets on the Loire, is typically prominent in May or June. This period offers a unique opportunity to observe this aquatic herbaceous plant. Visitors are encouraged to be discreet to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Parking is available at the Isles area, specifically for the "Discovery Trail des Isles" in Mareau-aux-Prés. This location also provides picnic tables and bike carriers for visitors.
The Réserve Naturelle De Saint-Mesmin is managed by Loiret Nature Environnement. The official website is www.loiret-nature-environnement.org, and the phone number is 02 38 56 90 63.

