Circular discovery loop in the Écouves Forest

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This short route is ideal for those who want to explore the Écouves Forest without undertaking a long hike.
This route does not present any particular difficulties. It crosses part of the fitness trail before reaching the Verdier crossroads and continuing on to the top of the Rocher du Vignage.

Details

n°24148770
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 115 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 118 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 331 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 204 m
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Photos

Top of the climbing rocks
alongside a stream

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the crossroads of the forest road, heading towards Croix Madame and going up the road just after Rocher du Vignage.

(S/E) Take the path, follow a small stream and you will soon reach the forest road. Turn left and continue to the crossroads with another path.

(1) Leave the road and turn right into the woods, then join the fitness trail. Take it to the right and then join the car park on the Route Forestière Aubert.

(2) Turn left and you will reach the crossroads at the Maison Forestière and the carved sequoia tree.

(3) Turn left onto the path and continue slightly downhill to reach the Rochers du Vignage site.

(4) Stay on the path until you reach the junction of the D26 and the forest road.

(5) Turn left and follow the forest road to easily reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 219 m - Car park near the - Falaise du Rocher du Vignage
  2. 1 : km 0.97 - alt. 285 m - Crossroads to fitness trail
  3. 2 : km 1.75 - alt. 322 m - Aubert Forest Road
  4. 3 : km 2.11 - alt. 328 m - Carved sequoia
  5. 4 : km 3.77 - alt. 289 m - Sites of the Rochers du Vignage - Falaise du Rocher du Vignage
  6. 5 : km 4.32 - alt. 204 m - Crossroads of the D26. Close to the - Briante (rivière) - Affluent de la Sarthe
  7. S/E : km 4.87 - alt. 219 m - Car park near the - Falaise du Rocher du Vignage

Notes

(S/E) Shady spot in summer providing shelter. Picnic table nearby.

Worth a visit

If you keep your eyes peeled, you may encounter local floral species such as orchids, tinder fungi (parasitic fungi that grow on beech trees), lichens, tallies and many other floral species.
From June to the end of September, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may encounter one of the largest insects in the region, the longhorn beetle.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Olivier61
Olivier61

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Ideal for families

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helena busson
helena busson

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Currently, the route is affected by work being carried out or having been carried out in the area: tracks left by large machines digging up parts of the path, making it almost impassable unless you are prepared to get your feet wet.

I preferred the second half of the route, despite the obstacles caused by the roadworks, because you get deeper into the forest and the height offers a beautiful view of the mountains from Les Rochers.

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Flandrin
Flandrin

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The description is good, but the starting point is confusing in relation to the church, and a direction (south) would avoid this. Using directions (N, S, E, W, etc.) would also make it easier to follow the route when there is nothing to mark it with paint.

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Noda61
Noda61

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Jean-Michel F1.
Jean-Michel F1.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

short, interesting route with a rather challenging descent at the finish

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weyemberg anne
weyemberg anne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

1. A "rideability" index should be included for children or people with reduced mobility: the trails were very rocky and wide.
2. Google Maps, for example, should allow users to select a GPS point to find the starting points.

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weyemberg anne
weyemberg anne
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

1. For children or those who are not very active, a criterion such as "rideability" should be included, taking into account the quality of the ground: the paths were very stony, with large stones...

2° I would like a GPS point to click on to access point 1 or a starting point, using Google Maps, for example.

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