A walk through wooded countryside and forests south-west of Marzan

Start from the vicinity of the Idéal Résine company, where there are a few parking spaces at the roadside.

(S/E) From the company, return to the RD148, which you follow to the left for about 150 m, before turning right onto a track that runs between two properties. This straight track leads further on to the RD139.

(1) When you reach this road, turn immediately right onto the farm track that leads away from it. After a stretch of open countryside, it soon descends through a wooded area leading to the village of Guéric.

(2) At the road, turn right to head back up through the village, then turn left onto the path that follows the bend at the top of the village. You then begin a descent through the canopy until, after a winding stretch, you reach the bottom of the valley and the stream that flows there.

(3) Cross the stream by fording or using the footbridge if the water level is too high, then head up the opposite slope. After a fairly steep climb, you’ll emerge at a cluster of houses nestled amongst the greenery, including a beautiful farmhouse on the left.

(4) At the next crossroads, continue straight on, cross another small valley, then turn right at the first left-hand bend to reach La Grée Blanche. As you approach the hamlet, it feels as though you’re emerging onto the roof of the main house, so deeply is it nestled into the slope. Turn left upon arrival to take the path that winds down into the valley, leading to the ford where you can cross the stream.

(5) On the other side of the rudimentary bridge made of large stones, the path climbs, passing beneath houses and chalets that offer a lovely holiday retreat. At the road, head left for about fifty metres.

(6) Take the path that climbs to the right across the moor, leaving a few rocky outcrops on your right. At the first bend, ignore the forest track branching off to the right and head straight on along the path that descends the slope (GR® markings). Please note: recent forestry work has significantly altered the path at this point. Keep an eye out for the red and white markings on the descent. The path winds along the hillside until it reaches the bottom of the valley.

(7) As you approach the valley floor, let the GR® trail head off to the left and turn your back on it to follow the path that climbs back up above the stream. After about 400 m, you’ll come out onto a path (GR® markings) that descends from the wooded slope and, further on, crosses the stream you’ve been following. Turn left, cross the valley floor and climb the opposite slope for about a hundred metres. Let the GR® continue straight on again and turn left to follow the opposite bank of the valley. As you approach the RD148, the sound of which you can just hear, turn right immediately after the first bend in the path. Follow this path uphill for a few hundred metres to rejoin the GR®.

(8) Cut across the track to take the forest path that goes round an area of embankment. Once past this, you’ll come back onto the RD, which you should follow to the heart of the village of Belléan.

(9) Take the first path on the left, then left again before the houses. A path winds around this part of the village and leads to the banks of the Vilaine, whose glistening waters can be seen through the foliage.

(10) At the point closest to the river, you can see the lake at L’Isle and, below, the rock on which the Dukes of Brittany built a castle. Unfortunately, only a few ruins remain, visible only from the water. Continue along the path that runs alongside a wooded property where two green chalets stand. As you emerge from the woodland, you reach the Fontaine Vertin and the road leading to the RD148. Complete the circular route by turning left when you reach the main road, then follow it to Bellevue, using the footpath that has been created alongside the road. At the next junction, take the road on the left to return to the starting point (S/E).