Around Mesnival

Car park in front of Fonteny Church.

(S/E) With your back to the church, walk to the crossroads and turn right onto Rue de Laneuveville. After 250 m, on leaving the village, take the path on the left and follow it straight on until you reach the woodland.

(1) Turn right to continue along the path at the edge of the forest.

(2) After about a hundred metres, enter the forest by crossing a small ditch to reach a path through the woods (you can enter the forest at any point along this 300-metre stretch). Follow this path for about 1 km.

(3) The path widens and becomes partly gravelled. Continue for 700 metres until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn right and carry on until you reach a crossroads.

(5) At the Fork in the road, turn right and join a wider track. This is Chemin Frahaut.

(6) Carry on straight ahead until you reach the Route Forestière de Laneuville, almost at the foot of a wind turbine.

(7) Turn right onto the Route Forestière de Laneuville (signposted). After about 500 m, the road turns into a track and you’ll emerge from the forest. Keep going straight on.

(8) On your right, you’ll find an interesting spot with a wayside cross and a fountain. For a short round trip, take the path on the right for a few metres as it leads into the forest.

(8) On your return, rejoin the route by turning onto the path on the right at the bend. Continue for about 1 km.

(9) At the fork in the road, keep to the right to continue along the edge of the forest. You’ll come out onto a tarmac road (D77). Cross the road and continue along the path opposite (slightly to the left).

(10) After 550 m, take the path on the right which leads back to Fonteny. Carry on straight ahead to return to the car park at Fonteny church (S/E).

Watch out for tall grass on some sections of the path through the woods.