Woods, valleys and hills from Courmononcle

Park in the car park at the picnic area by the bridge over the Vanne, opposite the Moulin du Château in Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Vanne and follow the road which crosses and then runs alongside the Ruisseau des Abîmes.

(1) At the Chapelle Saint-Gengould, turn right to head up towards the Tête au Loup.
Follow the road to the entrance to the building site. Turn left and walk alongside the woodland for 150 metres, without entering it.

(2) Turn right to head up into the woods along the forest track heading south. After just over a kilometre, the track veers to the right, then after 300 metres, it turns left, leaves the woodland and joins the^GR®2.

(3) Turn left onto this^GR® path, which descends gently into the Vallée au Loup before climbing back up towards the Bois du Petit Chevrais.

(4) Continue along the^GR® as it turns left, heading north-east.

(5) Leave the^GR® when it veers sharply to the right. Enter the forest, following the path north-west.

(6) At the second junction, turn right, then immediately left, and walk past a hunting lodge.

(7) At the junction, turn left onto the path that descends towards the edge of the Bois de Saint-Étienne. Continue downhill, keeping the forestry track on your right.

(8) At the hunting lodge, enjoy the view over Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne.
Turn left to walk along the edge of the woodland, following the farm track that zigzags along the field.

(9) After 150 m, the track turns right and heads down alongside the hedge. Do not enter the forest. Follow the edge of the Bois Buisson (still on the farm machinery track) and rejoin the route taken on the way there.

(2) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the Saint-Gengould Chapel and then the mill at the Château de Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne (S/E).

The small car park at the picnic area by the bridge over the Vanne, opposite the Moulin du Château in Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne, is a very convenient place to start the walk.

But you can start it further up. For example, at the Chapelle Saint-Gengould, or even at the Tête au Loup. This saves you 2 km.

During the hunting season, from mid-October to the end of February, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, the forest paths may be affected by hunting activities.