Your self-guided hiking adventure begins with arrival in Dijon: the capital of the Ducs of Burgundy (easy access by 1,30 ride with high-speed train from Paris; other options: Lyon Airport (2hrs), Zurich Airport (2,30hrs). The city is most famous for its mustard of the same name but it is also one of the most delightful cities in France. Walk through the cobbled streets of the historic center, visit the Ducal Palace, the Museum of Fine Art and the Eglise Notre-Dame featuring a Black Madonna statue.

The first day of walking starts with a 30min transfer to the winemaking village of Gevrey-Chambertin. This is where the trailhead starts, right in the heart of the Burgundy's vineyards. Quiet farming tracks and paths will lead you to the charming towns of Chambolle-Musigny (one of the twelve Côte d'Or communes of France which added the name of their best-known vineyard as a suffix to the original name of the village) and Morey St. Denis. Eventually you will arrive at the prestigious 16th century Chateau Clos de Vougeot where, subject to working time and your own plans, you can make a wine tasting detour (for working time and pre-booked wine tasting & lunch please visit the website of the chateau). Your next stop is Vosne Romanée, which produces the region's most celebrated wines, all made entirely from the Pinot noir grape (you can pay a visit to Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion; pre-book wine tasting tour in advance on their website). You will stay overnight in Nuits Saint Georges. The town is renowned for its world-famous wines and also one of the main stops on the Grands Crus Route. The Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Bourgogne’s most famous wine-brotherhood, was founded here in 1934.

A loop hiking trail is planned for today, starting from Nuits Saint Georges and exploring the vineyards and forested hills surrounding the town. The trail overlooks the valley of the river Le Meuzin. Alternatively and can spend the day at leisure in the town itself, visiting Le Cassisium to learn more about the blackcurrant - the primary ingredient for Crème de Cassis (an alcohol liqueur produced in the region), or visit the L'Imaginarium (an interactive space and one of the famous stop-overs in Burgundy, offering sound and light show “Sacred Vigne”, presenting the history of viticulture in Burgundy, incl. a discovery tour on the world of sparkling wines), or simply dip into some of the local wine cellars and try more of their exquisite production.

The walking tour continues along the “Chemin des Grands Crus” with a short transfer to the small and tranquil village of Fussey, where the hiking trail for Beaune starts. This quick jump back into the countryside will take you to shady oak forests and on peaceful paths leading to an authentic winegrowing village - Savigny-lès-Beaune. The village is nestled in the Côte d’Or valley, which is one of the most fruitful regions of Burgundy, producing huge volumes of wine annually. A rarity in the Côte de Beaune, and among others, Savigny-lès-Beaune also produces the famous festive/sparkling wine Crémant de Bourgogne. From the church of Saint-Cassien and its splendid listed Romanesque bell tower, to the formal garden of the Chandon de Briailles Manor House, the village has some wonderful discoveries in store for you. Once finished here, continue on to Beaune - the capital of Burgundy’s wine industry. This is where you will spend the next two nights.

Wake up in Beaune, one of the key wine centers in France. Today you have several possibilities to spend your day: 1) head into the countryside on a circular hiking route exploring the Montagne de Baune (a hill to the west of Beaune, partly occupied by beautiful houses overlooking the Cotes de Beaune), 2) stroll on the Saturday morning market (if you have built your program in a way to coincide with it) - the best place to taste local produce, try the fruity Cîteaux cheese produced by the monks, the tasty Delice de Pommard, the creamy Brillat Savarin, the marbled ham, or the honey-flavored gingerbread; 3) visit the imposing mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy, the basilica of Notre Dame, the Mustard-manufacture La Maison Fallot (and taste new creations such as mustard flavoured with blackcurrant, tarragon, honey), and the most famous of all the sights in Beaune: the steep pitched patterned roofs of the Hotel Dieu (an ancient hospital now featuring a fine arts museum). Within the ramparts, Beaune will show you its hidden charms: mansions, beautiful wood-frame homes and flower-laden squares.

Just steps away from the center of Beaune, and above the plains of the Saône, are situated the Clos de Beaune Premier Cru wines (superior grade wines). You will walk through the parcels of vines, separated by ancient stone walls and sprinkled with “cabiottes” (winemakers cabins), before reaching the village of Pommard. The wines produced here are deep red in colour, with the flavors of ripe berries, and you can taste them at Domaine Le Jeune. Next is the town of Volnay renowned for its smoothly structured Pinot Noir-based red wines. The walking trail goes through an enchanting pine forests towards the top of the hills, where you reach the village of Mothélie, housing a Romanesque church, chateau, old homes, and great cellars. Eventually your hiking trail will lead you to Meursault - your final destination for the day. There you can visit the renowned Château de Meursault (the visit should be pre-booked on their website) with its 14th and 16th century cellars, guarding prestigious bottles of wine. A real delight for the eyes and the taste buds. Meursault is a popular place of production of white wines from Chardonnay grapes so make sure you give the local wines a taste.

Today your self-guided walking tour in Burgundy ends. After breakfast you will be transferred back to Beaune, where you can catch a train towards your next  destination.