Circular route in the Villecartier Forest via the Colonne des Chouans

Étang de Villecartier car park.

(S/E) Head towards the lake, take the path on the right and pass the picnic area. About 50 metres after the restaurant, take the path on the right and follow the stream below on the right. Continue to the Étang du Ruffien lake and follow the path until it leads to a farm track.

(1) Follow the path on the left towards the south-east for about a hundred metres and take the path on the right through the undergrowth. Follow it to Carrefour Mauny.

(2) When you reach the crossroads, take the small path immediately to the right of Route de Nouas. It winds through the woods and returns to Route de Nouas at the forest house. Continue downhill to the right for about 200 metres.

(3) Turn onto the path on the left and follow it until you reach an intersection with a forest road.

(4) Follow the road to the right for about 40 metres, then turn left onto the path that splits in two shortly afterwards: keep to the right. Continue until you reach the D91.

(5) Cross it carefully and take the path that continues almost straight ahead and leads to a small pond on the right, dominated by the Colonne des Chouans.

(6) Turn left onto a path that curves further to the right, heading due north, and leads to another farm track. Take the path opposite to reach the Auge des Sabotiers on the right.

(7) Continue along the path heading north, cross the small Petit Hermitage stream and, after about 200 metres, turn left to reach the RD91.

(8) Cross it carefully and take the path that continues opposite. Cross the Petit Hermitage stream again and shortly afterwards, turn right to reach the milestone after a small bridge on the left.

(9) As you set off again, cross a second bridge and turn right to reach a forest path after about 300 metres.

(10) Cross it, admire the Fayard de la Mothe Berthier and continue straight ahead on a downhill path to reach another small bridge that once again crosses the Ruisseau du Petit Hermitage. Continue along the stream, then along the eastern bank of the Étang de Villecartier.

(11) At the intersection, keep left to continue along the pond. Pass the tree climbing area and return to the car park (S/E).

An information board is located near the tree-top adventure chalet.
Picnic area at the start of the route.

Small monuments.
Information on the website: https://pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/IA35049539 and https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-dans-la-foret-domaniale-de-villecartier/photos.html