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Park in the car park below the castle by the lake, as it is difficult to park at the castle itself due to the very small car park.
Red and yellow markings
(S/E) From the car park, take the small path specially designed to climb up to the château without having to use the busy road.
Once you reach the castle entrance, continue along the road (main street) which descends towards the Sèvre Nantaise river, then cross it carefully to reach Rue du Vieux Pont.
(1) Take this street on the left and continue along Rue de Beaumont until you leave the village. Admire the views of the castle and the church in the background. The view will be even more beautiful from the other side of the river on your return.
After the hamlet of Beaumont, the road becomes a dirt track suitable for vehicles.
(2) At the fork, do not take the marked path, which climbs to the right, but stay on the path that runs alongside the river. The path rejoins the marked path and begins to climb above the river, then descends to reach a road.
(3) At Chauvreau, leave the path that leads to Torfou and take the path opposite, which joins the road 100 metres further on. Follow this road for 500 metres on the left-hand side, where a small footpath has been created. You will arrive at the Auberge des Trois Provinces restaurant.
(4) Here you have a choice:
- cross the bridge over the river and go directly to La Penneraie.
- continue the entire hike. To do so, go around the restaurant on the right, cross a small bridge and climb up to a calvary.
(5) Then turn left and immediately take the road that climbs up to the right. Leave the hamlet, passing in front of a few private properties. The carriage road becomes a picturesque hiking trail through the woods. Cross the stream: rocks upon rocks! Continue to the road.
(6) At the road, leave the hamlet of La Gressetière on your left and continue straight ahead for about one kilometre.
(7) Just before the road climbs, take the path that branches off to the left at a small car park. This path descends towards the river where there is a picnic area called Pré de Sèvre. Continue to the mills (flour mill) where the path returns to the road.
(8) At this point, it is important to temporarily leave the red and yellow markings.
Take the road on the left despite the cross, which normally indicates a mistake in the route. Continue to the small square and take the bridge on the left. Cross the Sèvre Nantaise river.
(9) About a hundred metres after the bridge, follow a path on the left towards La Colardière (picnic area with tables, toilets, boules court). The path enters the woods, with the red and yellow markings reappearing on a small wooden barrier. The path is now very close to the river, which will be the case for much of the return journey. The path continues at a right angle to the right and leaves the river for a short while. This path climbs up to a road, which you should take to the left.
(10) Take the road on the left for about a hundred metres. Leave the road and follow the dirt track that continues straight ahead. You are now following theGRP® Variante - Hucheloup. The path rejoins a road.
(11) Turn left towards the hamlet of La Poinsetière. Cross it and continue along the path, which descends again towards the river.
(12) Be careful at this point, as you need to leave the main path on the left and turn right. The path is well marked and it is unlikely that you will go wrong. Please also note that this path does not appear on the IGN 1/25,000 map but does appear on the Open Street Map. The path is in the undergrowth, still close to the river. It leads to a road.
(13) Turn right and follow it for about 100 metres. Take the path that climbs to the left. Be careful, as the path can be quite muddy in wet weather at this point. Continue along the path to the village of Le Plessis. Cross the village and take the road that branches off to the left. Follow this road for a good kilometre. Take the bend and descend towards La Penneraie (end of the shortcut).
(14) Leave the road that branches off to the right and take the path opposite that descends towards the river again, turning right. You will then arrive at Moulin du Bas Charbonneau near a dam. Pass this mill and leave the road that leads away from the river. Take the path that leads into a large meadow by the river. The path does not appear on the IGN 1/25,000 map.
(15) Go through a small gate on the right and immediately take the path that branches off to the left.
Then there are two options:
- either stay by the river
- or follow the signs indicating a path slightly higher up in the forest. Continue to follow the path and the river on the Hucheloup variant. Gradually, the walls of Tiffauges Castle appear with its large imposing tower.
(16) Take the path that runs along the wall without crossing the stream and enter the park. Climb the few steps to reach the plateau, then descend towards the lake. Return to the car park (S/E) along the lake, where you will have a superb view of the castle and its walls.
Visorando member
Tourist office
Difficult 
Easy 
