Circular forest loop in wild Sologne

This circular route is very representative of the Sologne region, with its forests covered in moss, heather and ferns, its paths that are sometimes wide and straight, sometimes winding, grassy or muddy, its ponds and its brick houses, all of which contribute to its charm.

Details

950327
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 40 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 40 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 141 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 111 m

Photos

Description of the walk

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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 124 m - Car park after La Gimonière
  2. 1 : km 2.21 - alt. 133 m - Cross the road near Fay.
  3. 2 : km 3.38 - alt. 111 m - Bridge
  4. 3 : km 4.03 - alt. 136 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.96 - alt. 137 m - Cross the D64
  6. 5 : km 6.91 - alt. 141 m - Possible fork in the road
  7. 6 : km 7.3 - alt. 137 m - Chambrais Oak
  8. 7 : km 9.67 - alt. 119 m - La Maugerie
  9. 8 : km 11.36 - alt. 120 m - Cross the D64
  10. 9 : km 12.44 - alt. 115 m - Turn left after the bridge.
  11. 10 : km 13.06 - alt. 120 m - Place known as La Ville Sans Moitié
  12. 11 : km 15.22 - alt. 122 m - Petit Chavenay
  13. S/E : km 16.41 - alt. 125 m - Car park after La Gimonière

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
nat&dom
nat&dom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant circular loop, no difficulties, many sections shaded by trees.

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snyperwolf 117
snyperwolf 117

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I just completed this hike. The route, which is mainly through the woods with plenty of shade, is pleasant overall, except between points 8 and 9, which unfortunately are on the road! And you can skip point 6 because the beautiful and majestic oak tree, several hundred years old, that stood there no longer exists; it has died! What a shame.

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Triton Alpestre
Triton Alpestre
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The starting point is on the left just after a farm and just before a green gate and a pond. No parking. No need for a map, the descriptions are very clear and the signage on site is quite good.

For those accustomed to mountain hiking, it is fairly easy. Done in trainers, it would certainly be more comfortable in walking shoes, which would prevent sore feet at the end. Approximately 4½ hours at a moderate pace with a snack break.

The route is wooded, providing pleasant shade, even if the track doesn't look very natural and motor vehicles can drive on it. The oak tree is impressive and worth a look, but there are other beautiful trees, including chestnut trees at the end. Downside: a hat is more useful for chasing away flies than for protecting you from the sun, especially at the beginning and end. Only a few horseflies (the weather was humid). A few hornets, but no nests in sight near the paths, so no danger as far as we could tell. Beautiful views of the ponds. We only saw birds (herons, egrets, barnacle geese) and amphibians. The brick buildings are charming. A bit noisy at the start, probably due to forestry work being carried out by a landowner. Road on the whole 8, but that's not much in proportion.

Thank you for the route suggestion!
Enjoy your hike!

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Buneyes
Buneyes

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We adapted the hike: D -> 1 -> 9 -> 10 -> A, as we had already done a hike around Ménestreau in the morning.
The section 1->9 (road) is a straight line with nothing of interest, but the rest of the trail is superb. We will do the other part of the route another time.
A very beautiful hike.

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calvinsql
calvinsql

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful walk that delivers on its promises of exploring Solon and enjoying the peacefulness of the forest. Even in winter.

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Lemisanthrope
Lemisanthrope

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Overall, we enjoyed this hike. However, the first part is less pleasant (walking alongside a hunting enclosure for 45 minutes is not enjoyable for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, who are an integral part of the environment), especially when the area is infested with horseflies. The second part (which is still a hunting and recreational area) is not enclosed and is much more enchanting. We were lucky enough to come across a large stag in the middle of the afternoon on the first day of summer, as well as a few hares. Discovering the Chêne des Chambrais oak tree is almost miraculous and makes you feel humble in the face of its grandeur and longevity. From a practical point of view, this hike is easily achievable in 3½ hours at a leisurely pace. Thank you for sharing.

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Sylale
Sylale

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Apart from the Sologne nature reserve, the fenced forests are excellent hiking grounds for tree lovers.

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