A circular walk around the Trois Pignons

A pretty hike in the Massif des Trois Pignons, on the edge of Fontainebleau forest.

Technical sheet No. 4098518

A Noisy-sur-École walk posted on 13/03/11 by Sarita J. Last update : 11/06/16

Calculated time: 2h20 ?

Distance : 7.72 km

Vertical gain : 43 m

Vertical drop : 34 m

Highest point : 109 m

Lowest point : 69 m

Difficulty : Moderate

Back to starting point : Yes

Walking

Area : Forest of Fontainebleau

Location : Noisy-sur-École (77123)

Starting point : N 48.373122° / E 2.510115°

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Description

Start out from the car park behind the cemetery in Noisy-sur-Ecole.

(D/A) With the cemetery on your right, turn left (north-northeast) along Chemin de la Plaine de Jean des Vignes.

(1) After about 200m, at the crossing, take the bridleway on the right. The bridleway runs more or less parallel to the Chemin de la Plaine de Jean des Vignes, which it joins again after about 2km, at the foot of Rocher de Jean des Vignes.

(2) Turn immediately right onto Chemin du Rocher des Potets. The path heads east and then bears southeast further along.

(3) Cross straight over the Ancien Chemin de Melun and continue southeast.

(4) At the next junction, join the GR1. Turn right (southwest) onto the Chemin du Rocher Fin, and follow the red and white waymarks of the GR1, ignoring any paths off to either side. Just after a bend to the left, ignore a path from the right and continue southwest.

(5) Turn right (southwest) along Chemin de la Mée. Ignore the paths off to the left and keep going until you reach the junction with the Sentier des 25 Bosses (it is much narrower, so be careful not to miss the crossing). Look out for a red two-directional arrow.

(6) Leave the GR and turn right down the path, which is waymarked in red. At a crossing turn left and climb up the east slope of Rocher Guichot. Come back down on the north slope. At the T-junction turn left and you will immediately reach the junction Carrefour des Longs Réages.

(7) At the junction, take the path to the right at a right angle (north-northwest), still following the red waymarks. The path makes a series of bends to the left-right-left, and then climbs up Roche aux Sabots

(8). Ignore the path with red waymarks, which bears off to the right (north), and begin the descent to the west. Cross Chemin de la Plaine de Jean des Vignes and make your way back to the starting point.

Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 76 m
1 : km 0.33 - alt. 75 m - Crossing
2 : km 1.62 - alt. 73 m - Start of Chemin du Rocher des Potets
3 : km 2.53 - alt. 73 m - Crossing with the Ancien Chemin de Melun
4 : km 3.1 - alt. 75 m - Chemin du Rocher Fin - Junction with the GR1
5 : km 4.41 - alt. 74 m - Chemin de la Mee
6 : km 5.08 - alt. 76 m - Junction with the Sentier des 25 Bosses
7 : km 6.54 - alt. 76 m - Carrefour des Longs Réages junction
8 : km 7.38 - alt. 89 m - Roche aux Sabots
D/A : km 7.72 - alt. 76 m

Useful Information

It is essential you have a map on a scale of 1/25000 with you (at least the one that can be downloaded from this site). A compass could be handy too.

You will need good walking shoes.

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

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Other walks in the area

The “Circuit des 25 Bosses” (the 25 Bumps Circuit)

Departure from Le Vaudoué (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

As the name suggests, is this route ascends 25 mounds that form a circuit of the of the Trois Pignons forest. A hike amid the rocks that makes an excellent training run before mountain hikes in the summer.
N.B. The elevation is underestimated: between 800 and 900 metres total cumulative change in altitude. It’s difficult to find a larger change in altitude in the Ile-de-France, unless you want to take the steps up and down the Eiffel Tower three times on the trot. Expect to be walking for 6 to 7 hours.

A walk in the Massif des Trois Pignons

Departure from Noisy-sur-École (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

The Massif des Trois Pignons is situated on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. The walk takes you past the Rocher des Guetteurs, the Sables du Cul du Chien, the Diplodocus, and the Rocher de la Tortue.

Sentier des Belvédères

Departure from Noisy-sur-École (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

A course over hills, with beautiful views of the Massif des Trois Pignons. Passages on platières in the middle of the moor with an unobstructed view, interspersed with passages in undergrowth and amid boulders. A varied, rather sporty hike.
N.B. The drop is probably underestimated: expect something more in the order of 300 metres.

Les Gorges de Franchard and l'Antre des Druides

Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

Starting from an old retreat which has been visited since the 11th century, this hike allows you to explore the Gorges de Franchard and the surrounding areas. Winding through rocks and several rock shelters such as the well-known Antre des Druides.
N.B. The difference in altitude is probably higher than stated: roughly 100 metres and a 2 hour walk.

The Rocher du Long Boyau and the Gorges du Houx

Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

From the Ermitage de Franchard, this is a very varied hike which will take you past old sandstone quarries, the Gorges du Houx and the charming Mare aux Pigeons. On the route are several vast viewing points, numerous spectacular rocks and the curious Grotte du Serment cave.

N.B. The elevation and the time shown appear to be under-estimated: count on about 250 meters and 4 hours of walking.

Circuit around Larchant

Departure from Larchant (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

The very enjoyable scent of pine is everywhere. And the small sand dune that I would the "Little Dune of Pyla" is lovely.

Hike in Fontainebleau forest: a tour of the Apremont Gorges

Departure from Fontainebleau (77 - Seine-et-Marne)

Fontainebleau forest is one of the most beautiful French forests thanks to its varied landscapes and, in particular, its sandstone blocks. This hike circles the Apremont gorges along the Colinet-Denecourt path N°6 and lets you enjoy it in all its beauty and fragility, the latter due both to natural erosion and human use, and is near the Paris region.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.