Circular route of the Rabané and Renardière valleys

Park in the Puits d'Enfer car park, 79400 Exireuil

(S/E) Go down the few steps to the left of the "Bienvenue" sign, then immediately turn left to the Ruisseau de la Martinière footbridge and cross it.

(1) Go around the picnic shelter and continue straight ahead up the very steep slope. Avoid wearing shoes with soft soles, as the diorite ground is not smooth. Apart from this slightly challenging section, the hike follows the Martinière local road. Continue to the road junction.

(2) Turn right towards La Boutinière. Leave the access road to Aubigny on your left, follow the Ruisseau de la Renardière stream, then cross it, turning left. Climb up to the road leading to La Boutinière.

(3) Turn right, pass in front of the tomb, then continue to the right, leaving the hamlet on your left. Begin the descent into the valley of the Ruisseau du Puits d'Enfer. Cross the bridge over the stream to enter the commune of Nanteuil, with the Bois de la Borderie on your left and two ponds on your right. Continue straight ahead to the Grippault buildings.

(4) Take the farm track on the left towards La Noue. Continue straight ahead, crossing the road leading to L'Émerière and then a small stream to reach a three-way junction before La Noue.

(5) Turn left, then left again at the next crossroads to descend into the Rabané stream valley.

(6) Cross the Noue ford, back in the commune of Exireuil. Follow the path straight ahead, cross the road and continue opposite until you reach La Gaconnière.

(7) Continue along the path, cross the Ruisseau de la Renardière and go uphill: on the left, there is a cemetery with seven graves belonging to the Grelet, Houmeau and Dapelvoisin families from the 19th century. Continue to the junction with the D121 at La Bouzoire.

(8) Turn left and walk carefully along the road , leaving Saint-Avold on your left.

(9) Turn left onto Chemin du Petit Bois, return to the D121 and follow it to the left with the same caution until you reach the Herse roundabout. Go around it on the left and continue on Route du Gâtis until you reach the first intersection.

(10) Turn left onto Chemin du Puits d'Enfer and continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

A gentle route with no major difficulties, rather pleasant for sensible, relaxed walkers.

Warning

Starting from the Puits d'Enfer car park, the route partly follows the path at the top of the Puits d'Enfer.

Although regulations only require signage for each column or column element on the road,it is recommended that all hikers make themselves visible by wearing light-coloured clothing or clothing and accessories (such as armbands) with fluorescent strips during the day and reflective strips at night.

Between La Gaconnière (7) and La Bouzoire (8), there is a small Protestant cemetery with seven graves belonging to the Apelvoisin, Houmeau and Grelet families (19th century).