Puy-Thareau – Les Roches – Saint-Jean circular loop

In Saint-André-sur-Sèvre, head to Puy-Thareau and park your car in the small car park on Rue de la Promenade.

(S/E) From the car park, turn right, heading east, onto Rue de la Promenade and continue to Rue des Forges.

(1) There, turn left and carry on straight ahead to join the path. At the fork after the house on the right, turn right and continue to the next crossroads of paths at a place called “la Combe”.

(2) Take the track on the left and follow it to La Bleure.

(3) Then take the path on the left which runs alongside the farm sheds, then carry on to the small tarmac road. Turn right onto it and continue to the Carrefour du Chêne Fin. At the stop sign, turn right onto the D33 for 200m.

(4) Turn left onto the C14 towards Saint-Mesmin. Follow the C14 for 800m to the hamlet of Les Noues.

(5) Take the farm track on the left. At the end of the farm track, the path narrows and enters the Bois des Roches. At the end of the path, turn left and follow the D328 for 300 metres to the hamlet of Le Marais.

(6) Turn right onto the farm track. Continue along this track for 200 metres, then turn off onto the small, shaded track on the left and rejoin the D328.

(7) Turn right onto the farm track for just over 300 metres, then carry on straight ahead along this narrow, shaded track, similar to some you’ve already taken earlier. Cross the small road (C13) and take the track opposite. 250 metres further on, cross another small road, then take the track on the left opposite and follow it to the end.

(8) Turn left onto the farm track, then immediately left onto the D33 and continue for 300m to reach Le Plessis.

(9) Turn right onto the small road C4 towards Saint-Marsault, follow it for about 500m to reach Saint-Jean.

(10) Turn left onto the farm track, which becomes narrower and shaded further on. Carry on straight ahead until you reach the D328. Follow the road to the left for 100 metres, then take the track opposite towards Puy Bouet. Then turn left onto the small track that goes uphill, then turn right.

(11) At the junction, go straight on along the track marked ‘No Through Road’ (signposted for vehicles) and continue for 300 metres.

(1) At the crossroads, turn left to return to your car at the starting car park (S/E).