Urçay circular starting from Le Vernet

Car park at the glass recycling point near the Vernet bridge in Meaulne

(S/E) From the car park, head towards La Perche by crossing the bridge. You are now on the^GR®41, marked in red and white. Cross the Canal du Berry, then the railway line, until you reach the junction with a path on the left.

(1) You are now at a place called La Chapelle. Continue straight on uphill, leaving the^GR® for a few hundred metres^. See Practical Information.
A few hundred metres further on, rejoin the^GR® directly ahead of you.

(2) At the crossroads, continue along the^@GR®, turning right and leaving the farm and its buildings behind you. Carry on to the Fork in the road.

(3) Leave the^GR® and follow the path on your right towards the hamlet of Pontoux. Walk through Pontoux to reach the junction with the Route de Beuvron.

(4) Cross the road and continue along the path, passing over a bridge spanning the railway line.

(5) At the end of the path, go round the Berry Canal basin on the right.

(6) Once on the bridge over the Cher, turn right towards the centre of Urçay, along Rue de la Gare, until you reach the^{first street}on the left.

(7) Turn left and cross Rue du Commerce until you reach the Route Nationale. Follow it a few metres to the left and cross carefully to head towards the church. Carry on straight ahead and climb the path (watch out, it’s a steep climb!) towards the hamlet of Les Combles.

(8) Cross the junction, continue straight ahead uphill towards the hamlet of Les Pics. Take the right-hand bend onto the track opposite the farm gate. Carry on to the crossroads.

(9) After a few metres, turn left, cross the Route de Vaux and take the path directly opposite you, heading due south.

(10) Cross the Bignon and, at the end of the track, turn right onto the Route du Stade. Head downhill to the A-road.

(11) Cross the A-road carefully and head towards the path running parallel to it. With the A-road on your left, continue until you reach the junction with the Route du Vernet.

(12) Turn right at the junction, go down the local road, and you’ve arrived (S/E).

(1) From the hamlet of La Chapelle, the^GR® passes through the hamlet of Valigny, which is guarded by dogs that are sometimes off the lead.

As you approach the church, you’ll pass some public toilets.
Make sure you bring insect repellent to ward off ticks. There’s no shortage of these little creatures in the area...

- The River Cher and its bridges
- The Berry Canal
- The Pontoux Bridge
- The^GR®@41 and its lovely scenery
- The panoramic view from the hamlet of Les Pics