Start from the car park on the right of the D446, almost opposite the Babyland leisure park, coming from Saintry-sur-Seine.
(S/E) Take the paved road, closed to cars (Route du Ravin du Gouffre), which enters the forest and follow it south.
(1) Turn right onto the road (route de Traverse) and pass an information sign and a pond that is sometimes dry. Then turn left (route Forestière des Bruyères). About 150 m after this turn, just before a very small bridge over a stream, there is a path on the right.
(2) Take this path and immediately afterwards take the path on the left that passes over the small stream. Follow this path which leads to the Route de Villedon. Shortly before reaching this road, turn left.
(3) Take the paved road to Nandy, also called Route Forestière de l'Inspecteur, and head back into the forest. After about 100 metres, you will see one of the most beautiful oak trees in the forest on your right, the Chêne de la Commery. At the intersection with Route des Bruyères, continue straight ahead and start descending. Cross the bridge at the bottom of the descent.
(4) Once you have crossed the bridge, immediately turn right onto the path that follows the stream, the Ravin du Gouffre. After 300 to 400 m, the water may disappear underground, but the bed remains visible. Follow this stream along the path that runs parallel to it until you reach a bend followed by a steep descent.
(5) At this bend before the descent, take the first path on the left which leads to a bare area at the top of a cliff. Follow the edge of the cliff, which is actually the top of an old quarry and offers a beautiful view of the Seine. Take the path that continues on. Avoid the paths that branch off to the right and descend towards the Seine. The path ends at the end of the Chemin des Merles, which is paved. Follow it to the right (there is little traffic). At the first fork, continue straight ahead and join Chemin du Gouffre, which is also paved. Follow it to the right. Shortly after a 90° turn (Avenue du Pavillon Royal), about 250 m away, you will see the gates of the Domaine du Pavillon Royal on your right.
(6) Go through the gates, passing between a castle on the left and an outbuilding on the right. Follow the path along the fence on the left. You will arrive at a farm, where you should immediately take the path on the right to reach the large central meadow. As you pass, look to your left in the distance for a small 18th-century château, the Pavillon Bouret. Head towards the small Napoleon III-style pavilion, which is in need of restoration and offers a beautiful view of the Seine. To return to the entrance of the estate, take the path along the edge of the plateau and leave the estate.
(6) Take the tarmac Allée Bourette opposite.
(7) Leave it at the second intersection, taking the Route des Écuyers on the left. It crosses the Route de Saint-Jean; continue straight ahead and you will arrive at the Carrefour du Dauphin.
(8) Take the third road on the right, which is the Route du Petit Cavalier, a paved road. At the first intersection, turn left onto the Route de Traverse. Be careful in wet weather, as this unpaved road can be very muddy. Follow it until it joins the paved road you took at the start of the walk.
(1) Follow the road to the right to return to the car park where you started (S/E).