Paths and trails in the Tronçais Forest at Meaulne-Vitray

This walk in the Tronçais Forest alternates between wide forest tracks and slightly grassy but well-cleared paths. You will pass the Begault logging site and observe the various stages of forestry operations.

Details

3456722
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 50 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 44 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 311 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 275 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Meaulne (03360)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.595111° / E 2.650282°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2426SB, 2427SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is on the Route du Brethon. Coming from Meaulne, pass the last property (a sheep farm) at the hamlet of Le Bouchant and park along the forest track on your left.

(S/E) Take the forest track. At the end, cross the road heading left (towards Vitray) and take the Route Forestière du Ris Sanglier.

(1) At Rond de Vitray, opposite the forest house with the roof damaged by a fallen tree, turn left onto the forest road. Head for the second path junction on the right.

(2) Follow this path, which is flanked by two wooded areas. You will come out onto a local road.

(3) Turn right towards the hamlet of Les Petites Loges.
.
(4) At the junction of the road and the track, turn right and take the Voie Forestière du Ris Sanglier again.

(5) At Rond des Loges, turn left onto a track towards Rond de Lasnay.
.
(6) Take the sharp right-hand bend towards Rond de la Font Bégault.

(7) Head slightly left, cross the Route Forestière de la Bouteille and reach the second path on the right.

(8) Turn right onto this path and you will reach a junction.

(9) Turn left onto the track and arrive at Rond du Bouchant.

(10) Back on the D312, Route du Brethon, turn right and stay on this road until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 296 m - Forest track with parking available
  2. 1 : km 2.7 - alt. 310 m - Rond de Vitray
  3. 2 : km 3.43 - alt. 293 m - Forest trail
  4. 3 : km 4.02 - alt. 296 m - Road serving the hamlets known as "Loge"
  5. 4 : km 5 - alt. 293 m - Localities: Petites Loges
  6. 5 : km 5.44 - alt. 301 m - Rond des Loges
  7. 6 : km 6.36 - alt. 302 m - Forest track
  8. 7 : km 6.57 - alt. 292 m - Rond de la Font Bégault
  9. 8 : km 7.9 - alt. 298 m - Forest trail
  10. 9 : km 8.31 - alt. 301 m - Forest track
  11. 10 : km 9.31 - alt. 304 m - Rond du Bouchant
  12. S/E : km 10.06 - alt. 296 m - Forest track with parking available

Notes

From spring to late summer, be vigilant and remember to use tick repellent, even though the paths are fairly well maintained.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
saacha007
saacha007

Thank you for your feedback and recommendations. I wasn't looking for elevation gain (my introduction was just to set the scene for my more "wild" nature). I agree with you: long straight paths, few people. I did the remarkable oak trail. Interesting, but I didn't feel any sense of wonder. A vast forest of well-maintained, masterfully crafted trees. Enjoy the trails!

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David GUILLAUME
David GUILLAUME

Hello,

Overall, your description is fairly accurate. The paths are quite wide, with long straight stretches, but they are often quiet.
As for elevation gain and narrow paths, the walks around the Queuille Dam (Sioule and Saint-Gervais) with their seemingly endless climb, and the route from Château de l’Ours to Lignerolles are the only two I know of. As for the Tronçais Forest, I can’t think of much that would satisfy you in terms of elevation gain.

Kind regards,

David G

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saacha007
saacha007

Hello, I live in the mid-range mountains and love forests and hiking at altitude. I'm spending a few days' holiday in the Allier and am interested in visiting the forest, but on looking into it, I realise it would be difficult for me to enjoy it if there are only wide, busy, straight paths. My research gives me the impression of a forest that is criss-crossed and heavily controlled by humans. Am I wrong? If so, could you please recommend parts of this large forest with non-linear, uncrowded, fairly narrow trails? I can walk up to 7 hours a day. Thank you in advance!

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kadviso
kadviso

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It seems this route is quite popular

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zeugviso
zeugviso

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Actually, we were on mountain bikes. We did the Mayeul circular route and added this ride to it.
All in all, very enjoyable

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Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The Tronçais Forest is beautiful, but the forest roads there are too wide and straight to be pleasant.

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JFS03
JFS03

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very shaded route

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