Around the Solle racecourse

Cabaret Masson car park in Fontainebleau.

(S/E) The walk starts at the roundabout at the southern end of the^first car park. Take the connecting road towards the^second car park, then after about a hundred metres, take the path on the left leading towards the D606 road. Cross the road (be careful as traffic can be heavy and dangerous), then take the path opposite. After 50 m, turn right onto the blue-marked path (Denecourt path, link 4-3). Follow the markings as you climb through the rocky terrain to Route Eugénie.

(1) Leave the blue markings and follow the road to the right. Walk down to the^first junction and turn left (Route du Fouilloux). Follow this path which, after 200 m, joins the Route Forestière de la Vallée. Continue straight ahead along this wide track for about 600 m to the Carrefour Constantin.

(2) Ignore the^first Blue trail on the far right; take the^second one at a 45° angle, the one going uphill called: Route Tournante des Points de Vues. Follow it until it joins a wide tarmac forest road. Turn right onto it, cross the D606 again with care, and take the road opposite (Route des Hauteurs de la Solle).

(3) This tarmac road, closed to motor traffic, passes through a strict nature reserve where entry is prohibited. Follow this road for about 800 m to the viewpoint, which offers a magnificent view of the racecourse.

(4) Continue along this winding road. After about 2 km, you will reach the Carrefour du Gros Hêtre and come across the blue markings for the Denecourt trails (here the 4/5).

(5) Ignore the roads and paths branching off to the left, and continue along the Route des Hauteurs de la Solle to the Carrefour des Ligueurs.

(6) Turn onto the^first Denecourt path (no. 4) on the right and follow the blue markings north-east.

(7) As you pass, note the Sanguinède fountain, some fine rock formations, then the Mare aux Ligueurs (8). Continue along this path for about 1 km until you reach the Route des Plaisirs.

(9) Head down it to the right (leaving the blue markings). At the bottom, turn right for about 200 m, then left at the junction. You’ll soon find yourself on the main racecourse track, with a lovely view. Ignore the first path, and after about 200 m turn right onto Route du Regard. Cross the first junction, and continue to the junction with Route de Luxembourg.

(10) Turn right onto it and stay on this wide track, which leads directly back to the Cabaret Masson car park about 1 km further on; then, after the barrier, turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

On the 4-3 connecting path, we come across the rocks:
- F: Roche des Dix-Sept;
- G: Rocher de la Victoire;
- H: The Capricious Rocks;
- *: Olivier Métra’s Flying Rock.

On path no. 4 after the Ligueurs crossroads:
- The Sanguinède Fountain;
- J: Perceval Rock;
- *: The Holy Water Font;
- The Ligueurs pond.