To get to the start of this circular route: from the centre of Ménestreau-en-Villette, take the D 17 towards Sennely, leave the town, and at the first right-hand bend, go straight on along a wide white path towards La Gimonière. Pass La Gimonière and park on the left, at the edge of the next path; this is where the circular route begins.
(S/E) Leave the car park via the path sloping north-east, leaving secondary paths on either side of the main path.
Pass a building and continue along the Étang de Lepaut lake, following this path until you reach a road at Fay.
(1) Cross over and continue along the path opposite, signposted Les Foucault - Marcilly-en-Villette.
Ignore all paths on the right and left. Just before the bridge, ignore a footpath on the left.
(2) Cross the bridge and ignore another footpath on the left.
Continue along the uphill path until you reach a sharp bend, then turn left until you reach the next crossroads.
(3) Take the path on the right, leaving the one opposite that leads to Les Foucault. Join a road (the D 64).
(4) Cross and follow the main path opposite, marked Chambray, Sennely, D 12, ignoring all paths on the right and left, until you reach a crossroads with four paths.
(5) At this point, you can choose to go to the Chêne des Chambrais oak tree with its 6.80 m span; to do so, follow the path on the left, then at the Y-junction, turn right and continue for about 200 m to reach the oak tree. PS: I went back to see the Chambrais Oak and found that it had finally collapsed under the weight of age (see photos).
(6) At the Chambrais Oak, take the same path back to the previous crossroads.
(5) Continue straight ahead along the long downhill path, ignoring all the side paths. Pass a pond and continue until you reach a crossroads at a place called La Maugerie, where you will join the GR®3CGien/Chambord trail, marked in white and red.
(7) Take the path on the right, leaving the La Maugerie farmhouse on your left.
Continue to the Château de La Turpinière, going around it on the right. Follow the marked path until you reach a road (the D 64 again).
(8) Cross over and follow the small road opposite, signposted Menestreau, La Ferté St A. Continue for about 1 km. Cross the bridge over the Cosson river and then take a right-hand bend.
(9) Take the path on the left and follow it to a crossroads at a place called La Ville sans Moitié.
(A little tip for those who don't know: place names are written on electricity substations and some electricity poles).
(10) Turn right and continue along this path, following the dyke of a pond. Ignore all paths on the right and left.
At the next crossroads, go straight ahead, leaving a building on your right, and continue to follow the red and whiteGR® markings to reach Petit Chavenay.
(11) Be careful here: do not follow the path on the right, which appears to be the main path, but take the path opposite, which is less travelled, grassy and earthy.
This path allows you to bypass Petit Chavenay on the left.
Continue along this path, pass between two ponds and continue to the car park (S/E).