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Start from the Saint-Nom church, located high up in the commune of Lévis-Saint-Nom. Two car parks are available: (1) along the cul-de-sac that leads to the church from the D58 and (2) in the woods above the church, on the other side of the road from the cemetery.
The circuit is marked throughout in blue and white by the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park (PNR). However, the markings are sparse and intermittent, and the signs have aged, with sometimes only the blue remaining visible (as of June 2016).
Blue and white markings (almost non-existent)
(S/E) At the entrance to the car park in the woods, enter the cemetery (information sign). Cross the cemetery, keeping the church on your left. At the end, go through the green gate and down a flight of steps. Then go down a street that curves to the left. At the bottom of the descent, follow the D58 road on the right for a few metres.
Blue and white markings (very rare) + red and white + orange
(1) At the intersection (cross), turn left onto Route de la Recette towards Essarts-le-Roi, and cross Ru du Pommeret. At the T-junction, turn right onto Route du Pommeret.
Blue and white markings (rare)
After about 250m, leave the road and take a path on the left that climbs between the fields. At the top of the hill, follow a small road on the right. After about 200m, turn left onto Chemin de la Porte Dorée. Go slightly uphill and enter the woods. Pass a chicane (PNR information post) and continue westwards along the edge of the woods with meadows or fallow land on your right.
(2) At the crossroads (fire hydrant on the left), turn right and follow the pastures of the Château de Beauchamps on your left. Go through a gate, cross a small road and follow the Route de la Popinerie downhill (beautiful view of the wooded hills opposite and the Vallon du Pommeret, with the bell tower of the Saint-Nom church on your right). Pass a large farmhouse (Les Godets) and continue to the houses at Le Pommeret. Ignore the red and white arrow pointing left and continue straight ahead (north-east) with the wall of a property on your right.
(3) Go through another gate and follow the grassy path that curves to the left. Enter the woods and cross the Ru du Pommeret again. Ignore a path on the left and go straight up. At a fork, turn left (mountain bike sign). Go up the path, which becomes hollow, and ignore the tracks on either side. At the top of the hill (gate, PNR information point), turn right and follow the wall of the former Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Roche on your left. Ignore a path on the right and turn left with the path, still following the wall.
(4) At the main entrance to the former abbey (horticultural training centre; information board), continue straight ahead (north-northeast) and follow the D58 (take care). Enter Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis and follow a secondary school on your left.
(5) At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead, follow the castle moat and reach the castle entrance (town hall). Retrace your steps.
(5) Turn left towards Chevreuse (mountain bike sign). Follow a gravel track that leads to the Ferme de Beaurain, which is clearly visible from a distance.
(6) At the foot of the farmhouse (PNR information point), turn right, still towards Chevreuse (mountain bike sign). Go through a chicane and follow a stable path south between the fields. At the end, the path is framed by two hedges that form a sort of archway. Enter the forest and you will immediately come to the Carrefour des Six Croix.
Blue and white markings (rare) + red and white + orange
(7) At the crossroads, follow the mountain bike signs for "Lévis-Saint-Nom": take the second path on the right and, at the fork that immediately appears (signpost on the left), turn right again. Go straight down a stabilised path. Ignore a path coming from the left and continue downhill. Go through a gate and you will reach the Saint-Nom church (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
