Circular in the Villecartier National Forest

Car park at the leisure centre.

(S/E) Head towards the pond and take the path on the right, passing the picnic area. 50 metres after the crêperie, take the path on the right. Follow it, passing the Étang de Ruffien pond. The path climbs gently and joins a farm track. Turn left and continue for about 100 metres.

(1) Take the path on the right through the woods. Follow it to Carrefour Mauny. 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. Take the path on the left downhill until you reach an intersection.

(2) Take the track on the right for 20 metres, then follow the path on the left, which splits in two: keep left. Continue until you reach a road, cross it and take the path that continues opposite.

(3) The path branches off to the right before joining a forest track, which you should cross. You will come to a crossroads with a small pond on the right. A column (Colonne des Chouans) stands above this pond. Keep left, staying on the path that leads to the Carrefour du Chêne Bané. Continue along the forest track towards the east, and at the Carrefour de la Boutelaye, continue straight ahead on the path for about 200 metres.

(4) At the intersection, take the path on the left. Follow it, crossing a forest path. The path turns left, then right at a right angle. It joins a forest path, turn right, then left to take a path and follow it. The path approaches the D155 on the right-hand side. Pass the Croix de Sainte-Anne. Continue along the path in the same direction and join the D155.

(5) Cross it carefully and continue on the path opposite to reach the Oratoire Saint-Mathurin. The path veers left before the basin; follow it to the D91.

(6) Without crossing the road, take the path on the left to reach the D155 again, keeping to the left. Cross the D155 carefully and take the path opposite. The path runs alongside the D91 on the right. After about 500 metres, the path joins this road.

(7) Cross and take the path opposite. Cross the Ruisseau du Petit Hermitage stream, then shortly afterwards turn right to reach the milestone behind a small bridge. As you set off again, cross a second bridge and head west to the left to reach a forest path after about 300 metres. Cross it, admire the Fayard de la Mothe Berthier, and continue straight ahead on a downhill path to reach another small bridge.

(8) Cross this bridge and continue along the path, which turns left to reach the edge of the pond. Follow it, crossing the tree-climbing area, to reach the leisure centre car park (S/E).

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

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