Circular route from Javerlhac to La Chapelle-Saint-Robert

Park at the former Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert SNCF station on Avenue de la Garenne.

(S/E) Set off on flat ground, heading due south-east towards Nontron along the old, gravel-surfaced railway line for 400 m. You’ll reach the road junction: the post office and town hall are on the right, and the old weighbridge is opposite.

(1) Caution: Cross the D93. Continue straight ahead along the old, grass-covered railway track. Look out for yellow signposts for walking routes and green ones for horse riding routes.

(2) Caution: Cross the D75 at the bend. Continue along the old, raised, grass-covered railway line. Crossing the Bandiat on the old SNCF bridge requires some care. Walk on the right-hand side, holding onto the scrap metal handrail.
Go through a large gate (without opening it) and cross the junction of tracks. Continue straight ahead along the old sunken railway line, which runs alongside the road on your right and the Bandiat stream below on your left. The old railway line descends slightly, breaks off and joins the road. Continue along this road for a few metres. Do not go as far as the road junction.

(3) Caution: Cross the road and climb steeply to the right along a hairpin bend, via a stony, grassy track. You’ll reach a crossroads of tracks in an open area, at elevation 178.

(4) Turn left towards the abandoned farm buildings at Les Brousses. Pass between the buildings. Continue straight ahead at the next junction. Stay on level ground, following a grassy section used as a track for the small airfield, on your left. Join the road after Pic Pérou at elevation 192.

(5) Cross the road and continue along the grassy track opposite. Carry on down this track until you reach a road. Do not turn left towards Le Petit Gillou.

(6) Turn right and head downhill along the Route de Pierre Virande, keeping to the left-hand verge, and eventually join the D93 at elevation 156.

(7) Cross the D93 and continue along the road opposite towards Les Chenauds. There is a bus stop here. Pass through a small cluster of houses. Ignore the first track on the right. Continue along the small road until you reach a junction where the road meets a track.

(8) Turn right and follow the track (Route de Pierre Virande) for 350 m towards the road. You’ll reach the T-junction with the Route des Brandes.

(9) Continue left along this road, heading north-west, keeping to the verge. 200 m further on, turn right onto a track. Then, another 200 m further on, turn left onto a path running parallel to the road at the edge of the woodland.
At the end of the cultivated field, turn left, skirting the crops, to rejoin the road, and follow it to the right as you enter a wooded area.

(10) Just before you come out of the woodland, turn right onto a grassy track. You’ll emerge into a clear area as you leave the woodland. Yellow marker post.

(11) Turn left, north-west-west, onto a wide track suitable for vehicles. You’ll emerge into an open area and reach a road at a junction at elevation 176. Yellow signpost.

(12) Cross the road and continue along the small road opposite. Carry on towards the village of La Chapelle Saint-Robert. In the centre of the village, turn left towards the D92. Direction: La Chapelle Saint-Robert.

(13) Look out for the yellow signpost indicating the direction to Javerlhac. Go round the chapel on the left, following the signposting. Join the small road, turn right, and follow the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction.

(12) Cross the road again and continue along the wide, vehicle-accessible track.

(11) Turn left, heading south-east, onto a grassy track that descends into an open area at a crossroads at elevation 172.

(14) Continue left, due north, along a wide track suitable for vehicles. Head down towards the hamlet of Le Buisson. The approach to the hamlet is rough and often muddy. Pass through the hamlet and continue down a small road for 200 metres.
At the T-junction with another road, turn right towards Forgeneuve, with the Bandiat on your left. Continue downhill along this small road.
Cross the Bandiat via the road bridge near a beautiful watermill that has been restored to working order. Join the D75, then turn right and follow the right-hand verge for 100 metres. Pass the sign marking the entrance to Javerlhac.

(15) Caution. Cross the D75 and continue to the right along the old, gravel-surfaced railway track running parallel to the departmental road. You’ll reach the old SNCF station (S/E).

There is no shelter as such, but a bus stop can easily serve as one if needed. You can take a break at La Chapelle-Saint-Robert.
Hiking kit is essential; don’t forget water, the route description, the GPS track and the OSM map so you can follow the route described above.

Wooden posts topped with yellow markings and directional signposts are dotted along this walk. These can help if you’re unsure which way to go.

Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert is situated on the Nontron–Angoulême route.
From Nontron, head towards Javerlhac via the D75. In the centre of the village, at the junction with the speed bump, turn right onto the Route de Piégut, leave the first street on your left (at the post office) and turn left at the second street to reach the old railway line.

The Saint-Robert Chapel
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert
Forges Royale de Forgeneuve in Javerlhac
Standard walking kit, including water, the route description, the GPS track and good walking shoes.
The region is damp due to its clay soil: numerous small lakes and reservoirs bear witness to this.