Discovering the Fontaine Sorel

Start at the Nature and Hiking Centre in Élincourt-Sainte-Marguerite.

(S/E) Take the path on the left towards the Marfontaine Departmental Forest Estate. Follow the Bois d’Élincourt route; it is signposted.

(1) At the first junction (T-junction), turn right. Continue along this path, ignoring the track on the left.

(2) At the junction, turn right. Immediately ignore a path branching off to the right.

(3) At the junction, ignore the path branching off to the right and continue south. Further on, turn left onto the path (east-southeast).

(4) At the junction, carry straight on. At the next junction, turn right (south-east).

(5) At the crossroads, turn right. Immediately ignore a path branching off to the left and carry on south-west. Stay on the main path, ignoring a few side paths. Gradually leave the woods behind and head down into the fields.

(6) At the T-junction, turn left, following signs for “Liaison de la route de la Montagne du Paradis” and “Route des carrières”.

(7) At the next junction, turn left (north-east). Take the first path on the right. At the end, turn right.

(8) Follow the road to the left towards Montagne du Paradis. After about 100 metres, take the next path on the left to return to the woods. rejoin the road and follow it as it continues (north-east). After about 350 metres, leave the road and take a path on the right.

(9) Turn right and follow the Chemin de la Montagne du Paradis. Walk past the remains of the old Élincourt windmill. Continue straight on to the southern edge of the hill. At Terre Allard, go down the sunken path on the right.

(10) At the junction (with a table and benches), turn right and pass under a power line. At the next junction, turn right towards the Route de la Montagne du Paradis and pass under the power line again. Follow the north-north-westerly path to Rue du Rhosne

(11) You are now in the village; turn left, following the yellow markings. Then turn right to reach the Fontaine Sorel (picnic tables and bins for rubbish).

(12) Continue along the path, heading north-north-east.

(7) Turn left. Follow the outbound route in the opposite direction, passing through Montagne Gérémy and the Bois de Thiescourt.

(3) Turn left onto the ‘Petite Suisse d’Élincourt’ alternative route. Ignore a path coming from the right and head down towards the south. At the T-junction, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

You’ll find picnic tables along the way. Most of the route is in the shade, but do bring a hat for the unshaded sections.
Take water and snacks for the duration of the walk.

By car, you’ll pass the Château de Bellinglise before reaching the Élincourt hiking centre.
Along the way, you’ll see the remains of the old mill before finally reaching the Sorel Fountain.