In the heart of the Issaux forest

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A surprising walk in the Issaux forest, which reveals charming plains at the foot of small hills. A mixture of conifers and deciduous trees amid gigantic moss beds!

Details

n°4962761
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 271 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 274 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,159 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 890 m
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Photos

Exit from the woods onto the first clearing.

Description of the walk

Park above the bend where the Arpet Bridge is located. There is a perfect recess on the left for this.
Yellow markings.

(S/E) Cross the Pont de l'Arpet bridge. Go to the road and follow it to the right for about a hundred metres.

(1) Take the path that climbs up to your left and continue to the next fork.

(2) Turn left until you reach a clearing.

(3) Follow the markings and take the path that turns right. Follow it until you reach a pretty little clearing.
Turn right without crossing the clearing, which you will leave on your left. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on either side.

(4) Continue straight ahead to cross the pretty clearing in front of you and continue to the next fork.

(5) Leave the path on your left and continue straight downhill.

(6) Keep to the left, then veer right onto the path to reach the road. Follow it to the right.

(1) Walk for about 100 metres, then turn onto the path on the left that you took on the way up, which leads to the Pont de l'Arpet bridge. Cross the bridge and return to your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 906 m - Parking at the Arpet Bridge.
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 901 m - Crossroads of the circular loop.
  3. 2 : km 0.72 - alt. 975 m - Fork to the left.
  4. 3 : km 1.23 - alt. 1,068 m - Clearing, right turn
  5. 4 : km 2.15 - alt. 1,146 m - Clearing
  6. 5 : km 3.49 - alt. 1,086 m - Junction, straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 4.44 - alt. 946 m - Crossroads, on the left
  8. S/E : km 5.55 - alt. 906 m - Parking at the Arpet Bridge.

Notes

Please note: avoid the road leading to the Arpet bridge if the weather is bad (snow, ice). It may be closed.

The elevation gain is significant: some sections, although passable, can be difficult.

Shaded path throughout. Beautiful trees, clearings and rock formations.

Caution: short stretch on the road. Although not very busy, please be careful.

Worth a visit

The chasm under the Arpet Bridge at the start of the walk is worth a look.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
christophe.trezeguet
christophe.trezeguet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A circular loop whose appeal lies in the fact that it is in the woods, sheltered from the heat.
Best avoided after rain, as the paths become muddy and covered in cow pats due to the presence of herds.
Otherwise, it is of moderate interest.

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Penne André
Penne André

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A pleasant walk in this beautiful forest.
A tough climb right from the start of the hike; I chose it to stretch my legs after my hike to Pic d'Anie, but that wasn't really the case...
Many (very) muddy sections in the middle of the route and stones all along the way: good footwear is essential.
Beware of the many horseflies!

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Emeline et Paco
Emeline et Paco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, ideal during hot weather. Be careful if it is wet, as the cattle tracks create large mud puddles. The landscapes between the forest and meadows are splendid.

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Johelnardi
Johelnardi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk in a lush green forest, and completely alone (we only encountered three people in three hours... and quite a few cows and horses).
No difficulty. Marked trail. Very pleasant!!

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SEMMEZIZS
SEMMEZIZS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. Pleasant route through woods and glades.

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Joss67
Joss67

Couldn't find the starting point with the latitude given... boo hoo, disappointed to have spent so much time on the road...

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joesun56
joesun56

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This is very useful for a beginner like me, thank you.

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