Circular walk around Velleguindry-et-Levrecey – Woods and valleys

Start from the centre of Velleguindry-et-Levrecey; parking is available near the town hall (Place de la Mairie) or the wash house.

(Out and back) From the car park (with your back to the town hall), turn left and follow the main road (Route des Prelots) for about 150 m until you reach a junction.

(1) Turn left onto Impasse des Ranchots, which climbs gently towards the woods. At the end of the cul-de-sac, turn right into the forest. Continue along this forest path on the main track, ignoring the side paths. After a few hundred metres of gentle ascent, the path reaches a summit (IGN elevation 392) and then descends. About 500 m further on, ignore a path coming from the left and carry on straight ahead until you reach a junction.

(2) Turn left and follow the path which skirts the hillside (Combe du Bois). Continue through the woods heading south. On leaving the woods near the Croix de la Crose, turn right onto a small road flanked on both sides by replanted hedges. Follow it to the right until you reach the next junction.

(3) Turn left, heading south-east, and continue along the same path until you reach the next tarmac road.

(4) Turn left along the road to reach the hamlet of Levrecey. In the centre of the hamlet, after passing the château, you’ll come to a Fork in the road, opposite a wash house, followed by a Stop sign on the right.

(5) Turn right and pass close to some springs. At the end of the cul-de-sac, continue along a grassy path which can be a little tricky in places (tall grass and brambles – stay alert and ideally wear trousers). The path climbs gradually along the edge of the forest, enters the woodland and leads to a stony track, which is actually the end of the path.

(6) Continue straight ahead along the paths cleared by the foresters. Walk for about 400 m north-east before heading back down to reach a junction. Turn left onto a lovely forest path and, after a few hundred metres, arrive at another junction.

(7) Turn left, then very quickly right, to head gently downhill towards the village; keep going straight on and emerge at the edge of the woods. Before reaching the village, take advantage of the nearby hut (intended for hunting or other uses) for a peaceful break.

(8) Then head back down towards the village; after the first few houses, the path meets Rue du Chanois – follow it to the right to reach the car park (S/E).

• No signposting: bring a map with a route description or a GPS.
• Paths are accessible all year round, but watch out for tall grass in summer.
• A pleasant, shaded route in summer.
• Varied terrain: forest tracks, footpaths, open stretches.
• Ideal for a peaceful nature walk.

• Washing house and local heritage sites in Veleguindry-et-Levrecey.
• The Source des Antes is nearby.