Exploring the vineyards, episode 2.

When arriving in Gamay via the D906, park at the picnic area.

(S/E) Take the road leading to the village, then take the sharp right-hand bend at the first junction. Follow the road uphill until you reach the junction with another hiking trail.

(1) Turn left towards “la Pierre Liorca”. At la Pierre Liorca, turn left and then carry on straight ahead.

(2) When you reach the tarmac road, turn right and follow the road to Blagny. Turn right, then left.

(3) Do not follow the signs for Puligny-Montrachet. Further on, you will see Meursault.

(4) Leave the^PR® and head straight on towards Meursault. You’ll rejoin the^PR® a little further on.

(5) In Meursault, cycle past the church and a fountain, then continue straight on and follow the cycle-road signs on your right as far as Volnay.

(6) At the chapel, cross the road and follow the cycle-road signs. At Volnay church, turn right then left, following the cycle-road signs for Pommard.

(7) In Pommard, cycle past the church and the monument, then take the first left (Rue Notre Dame) and turn left again (Rue du Charmillot). You are now on the^GR®76. Follow the tarmac road uphill and

(8) turn left, following the signposts. If you carry on straight ahead, you’ll reach a housing estate, where this path rejoins the original route.

(9) 200 metres after the picnic area, leave the^GR®76by turning right onto the PR^®. At the next junction, go straight on towards Monthelie.

(10) In Monthelie, turn right onto the departmental road No. 23, which takes you back to^{the GR®76}.

(11) Turn left and follow the^GR®76to Auxey-Duresses. In Auxey-Duresses, turn right when you reach the main road, then turn left at the cross. Follow the signposts leading to the church.

(12) Turn left before the church. At the bridge, turn right and follow the tarmac road uphill.

(13) Turn left into the forest, following the^GR®76signposting. The slope is steep. When you reach the car park, you’ll see the statue of St Christopher.

(14) Take the botanical trail opposite. At the orientation board on the botanical trail, turn right and rejoin the forest path.

(15) Follow the path to the left towards Gamay.

(16) At the wash house, turn left and head back to your car (S/E).

In Gamay, during the hunting season in the woodland, the^GR®76(the section on the Roche Dumay) is closed. There is an alternative route, which is clearly signposted. The detour follows a tarmac road, which takes away some of the charm of this section.
At Auxey-Duresses, at Mont Milan, take the botanical trail instead. It offers a beautiful panoramic view across the whole valley, rather than the^GR®76, which is a forest track. You’ll get a glimpse of the villages you’ve passed through.

In wet weather, take care on the Roche Dumay and on the section through the woodland after Auxey-Duresses.

Do take the time to wander through the streets of Volnay, Pommard and Monthelie, as some of the houses are well worth a look for their architecture.

In Pommard, one street on from the one you’re on, a sculptor has his works on display outside his house.