North of the Maffrais ponds in the Rennes Forest

Head to the starting point of the walk at the car park for the Étangs des Maffrais on the D528, 2 km east of Saint-Sulpice-la-Forêt towards Liffré.

The exact starting point is on the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais, at the first entrance to the car park. The path heads north.

(S/E) From the car park entrance, carefully cross the D528 road and enter the forest opposite via a^GR®-marked path^.(Follow the^GR® markings)
Further on, the path becomes straight, heading due east alongside a small ditch.

(1) Just before the Ligne Forestière de la Métrie, the path branches off to the left to run alongside the forest track for 150 m. Then, the path branches off again to the right to cross the forest track and continue straight ahead due east. Further on, you come to a wide lane that cuts across the path. This lane actually covers a drinking water pipeline heading towards Rennes.

(2) At the junction with the pipeline lane, turn left (90°). The path follows the lane and heads north-west through the pine forests before rejoining the Ligne Forestière de la Métrie. It runs alongside it on the right.
After 150 m along this forest track, you’ll come to the start of a wide lane on the right at a 45° angle. Take this straight lane, which undulates, and follow it for 800 m until you reach an X-junction with another lane. (At this point: end of^GR® markings).

(3) At the junction of these two paths, turn left and continue north-westwards to the large roundabout at Carrefour de Bouessay. Go round the Carrefour de Bouessay and take the path signposted “Saint Sulpice La Forêt”, heading south-west. Continue to the edge of the forest where you will find a crossroads of paths. (Signpost: “Saint-Sulpice La Forêt route”).

(4) At the Saint-Sulpice junction, turn left onto the path leading along the edge of the forest. From this point until the end: follow the yellow markers. Please note: after 500 m, do not continue along the edge of the forest but turn left (at a 90° angle) towards the south-east.

(5) Further on, the path crosses the Ligne Forestière de l'Étang du Compte (signpost) and heads due south. It then passes a pond on the left before finally joining the D528.

(6) At the junction with the D528, take the path opposite which leads into the forest. It soon veers left to descend towards another pond. Cross the reservoir and turn left into the clearing that follows. Follow the markings to return to the starting point (S/E).

Other walks around the Etangs des Maffrais:

• Route "La Fontaine Saint-Raoul to Saint-Sulpice-la-Forêt" (Visorando)
• "From the Rennes Forest to Saint-Sulpice-la-Forêt" route (Visorando)

A quick stop at the Abbey site is a must (leaving Saint-Sulpice-la-Forêt via the D528). In principle, the gates and doors are open during the day.