In search of caves in the Isle-Adam National Forest

A peaceful walk, accessible to all and mostly shaded.

Details

4042020
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 83 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 51 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: L'Isle-Adam (95290)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.103411° / E 2.24919°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2313OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in one of the car parks around the Carrefour du Pavillon de Paris junction on the D64 road.

(S/E) Follow the D64 towards L'Isle-Adam (north-west) using the cycle path behind the hedge on the left-hand side of the road.

(1) After about 100 metres, take the first path on the left, the Petite Route de Lary, which leads into the forest (follow the yellow markings). At the first crossroads, go straight ahead. At the second crossroads, follow the Route du Hangar on the right.

(2) At the crossroads (dog club), turn left to cross Avenue des Bons Hommes and take a forest path (yellow markings). Continue straight ahead and ignore a path on the left.

(3) Cross a wide forest path (Route Capitaine) and continue straight ahead, following the yellow markings. After about 100 metres, you will see a small cave off the path on the right. At the next crossroads, go straight ahead (yellow markings) and you will soon reach another crossroads.

(4) Turn left onto the wide Route du Vollard. Continue straight ahead (south-west). After about 750 metres, at a junction (wooden barrier on the right), continue straight ahead (red and whiteGR®1markings).

(5) At the end of the path, turn right, leaving the GR®. Take the first path downhill to the left (signposted Réserve Naturelle de Stors). Enter the reserve on the left (wooden fence and map). Take the footpath and cycle path in front of you. After a short climb, turn left. Continue along this undulating path on the hillside.

(6) Pass the old quarries and continue straight ahead at the next crossroads to reach two caves. After the caves, continue along the uphill path. A little further on, you will find the yellow and red and white markings. At the next crossroads, follow the Route Capitaine to the right.

(7) At the crossroads called Porte Noire, turn left and follow the red and white markings. After about 50 metres, turn left again. At an intersection, leave theGR® trail on your right and continue straight ahead (north-east).

(8) At the Carrefour Parade (signpost), take the second road on the left, Route du Bois Franc. Go through a metal barrier and cross a small car park.

(9) Turn right immediately and follow a small tarmac road. At the next junction, take a forest path opposite, which starts behind a wooden barrier. Then continue straight ahead to Carrefour du Pavillon de Paris (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 82 m - Car park - Carrefour du Pavillon de Paris
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 81 m - Petite Route du Lary
  3. 2 : km 1.26 - alt. 79 m - La Grille des Bons Hommes
  4. 3 : km 1.96 - alt. 75 m - Crossing the Route Capitaine
  5. 4 : km 2.26 - alt. 69 m - Route du Vollard
  6. 5 : km 3.64 - alt. 63 m - Wide GR1 path
  7. 6 : km 4.9 - alt. 60 m - Quarries and caves
  8. 7 : km 5.54 - alt. 73 m - Porte Noire
  9. 8 : km 6.57 - alt. 82 m - Parade crossroads
  10. 9 : km 7.09 - alt. 82 m - Crossroads
  11. S/E : km 8.04 - alt. 82 m - Carrefour du Pavillon de Paris

Notes

Most of the paths are shaded, but a small section is in the sun.
Some paths are sandy, churned up by horses, so wear sturdy shoes.

Worth a visit

Chinese Pavilion.
The banks of the Oise and the beach at L'Isle Adam.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Steph95
Steph95

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice route

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joelle C&R
joelle C&R

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had already done this hike, but in winter. For us, it was a new walk.
Despite the rain the day before and during the night, there was no mud problem.
We passed a few cyclists.
Our group of 16 really enjoyed it: an easy route, not too hilly, with beautiful views of the quarries and Stors Marsh.

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QUILOTOA
QUILOTOA
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice course, easy, wooded and shaded

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Samico
Samico

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and varied circuit. Not much mud, even though it had been particularly rainy.

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fxw15
fxw15

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful winter hike for the whole family in a quiet and peaceful forest, with an interesting view of the reserve and the old limestone quarries.

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sylvain.rambault
sylvain.rambault

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful

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nanouyaz
nanouyaz

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed this route in reverse, so we missed the caves. But it was superb, with varied paths and perfect width. No muddy areas.
Another group followed the route in the indicated direction and saw the caves, so it is important to follow it in the recommended direction.

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PascalBrio
PascalBrio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We thought we knew the Isle Adam forest well, but this hike allowed us to discover a remarkable place: caves that are former quarries. The trail also overlooks a marsh, which is unusual in this forest.

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Chloe95
Chloe95

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike! The caves are closed off by gates. As vegetation has reclaimed the area, it is not possible to follow the route on the map precisely along the quarries.

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miralles
miralles

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk in the woods

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akita
akita

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice walk in the forest, circuit not easy to follow, lots of lily of the valley in May, but disappointed by the caves, which are simply openings in quarries closed off with bars, SO NOT REALLY CAVES

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Youna_
Youna_

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike, done in dry weather. No particular difficulties. Some interesting educational signs along the way.

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Beauchamp
Beauchamp

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Luckily there's GPS tracking, otherwise we wouldn't be able to go hiking.

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Manou59700
Manou59700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took this walk during a heatwave, but we were always in the shade, in the woods. Beautiful region!
Visit Isle Adam on your way back and stop for a drink near the tourist office!

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Vincent CLEMENT
Vincent CLEMENT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk for all ages. A wonderful memory with beautiful winter sunshine.

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