Oulches Route

The start is opposite Oulches church, by the FFRP hiking trail signpost.

(S) Take the D32 south-east towards Saint-Nazaire, passing the church on the right. 100 m after leaving the village, turn left onto the uphill path (yellow or yellow-red^GRP® markings), cross the Pégriau farm and enter the woods of the same name.

(1) On leaving the woods, turn right and continue along the^{GRP® path} at the edge of the forest, then through the Mont Vallet woods towards the east. Ignore all turnings to the left or right.

(2) At the junction, continue straight on along the path leading uphill as you leave the woods.

(3) At the first farm buildings on your right, veer left then turn right at the next fork to join a small road.

(4) As the^GRP® route has been altered, do not turn right to cross a farm but continue straight on towards another farm, then turn right at a shed onto a grassy track (several markings, including yellow and red on a post by the shed).
At the junction 200 m further on, turn left and head south-southeast through the woodland, crossing the Brion. The path then climbs again and you can see Montignon Castle on the right. The path widens into a broader track.

(5) 300 m further on, head straight down to reach the Ajasso estate (on the left), where you can admire the Rio de la Noraie valley on your right; cross this valley and head back up to a crossroads.

(6) Leave the yellow markings on your right and continue straight on along the^GRP® (yellow and red markings), which heads back into the undergrowth. At the exit, turn right to reach another crossroads.

(7) Head down the path opposite, leaving the^GRP® to your left. Continue straight on in a south-southeasterly direction to reach the D106, which you take on the right to cross a bridge.

(8) 100 m further on, turn right onto a path that winds its way between two small houses (you can just make out the old yellow markings on a wooden post at the corner of the house on the left). The path then continues through meadows before reaching the D32, which you follow to the right, heading north. The road descends to the Étang du Pont and then climbs again to reach the hamlet of La Belle Croix.

(9) 250 m past the wooden cross, leave the D32 via a path that descends to the left and joins a small road crossing the hamlet of Rue de Belleau.

(10) After the last house, at the pumping station, follow the grassy path on the left and continue straight on until you reach another small road.

(11) Turn right (leaving the old yellow and blue-marked path, which is now private, straight ahead) to head back down towards the D32.

(12) Then turn sharply left (new yellow markings) onto a small road leading to the Commanderie: you will then find the yellow and red markings of a^GRP® variant at the corner of a farm building.

(13) Take the path on the right heading north-west, skirting the farm buildings, and continue straight across the field into the Bois des Coteaux. Follow the marked^GRP® path which descends through the woods to reach, at the exit, a footbridge over the Brion, to the right of an old wash house.

Head northwards and arrive at the village pond. Continue uphill along the Chemin du Brion, which ends as a tarmac road. Turn right to return to the church car park.

No water points.
Wear waterproof shoes as some of the undergrowth is damp!

Discovery trail

Brenne Park