Fourbeau to Les Ritraisses route in the Egray valley

A pretty, hilly route, mainly shaded, which leads through the countryside between three rivers, from the village of Fourbeau to Les Ritraisses via two different paths.

Details

277061
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 153 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 157 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 124 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 55 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Surin (79220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.481834° / W 0.449735°
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

If possible, park at Fourbeau (if you cannot find a space, you can park elsewhere near the route as it forms a circular).

(S/E) Turn left onto the woodland path (heading south/east), ignore a dead end and a path on the left, and enter the woods. Follow this path, ignore a path coming from the right, and continue until you reach a small road.

(1) You will reach theGR® de Pays Sud Gâtine, marked in yellow and red. Take it on the left and at the T-junction that follows, turn right towards Les Fichères. At this place, turn left onto the path on your left.

(2) Cross the D12 and the Egray river, then turn right onto the path that climbs towards Rochard. At the fork, follow this path to the left to Les Ritraisses and end up at the intersection ofthe GRP® andGR®36.

(3) Take theGR® 36 on your left, which crosses the Egray and goes straight up towards the D12 (ignore several paths on the left).

(4) At the junction with the D12, turn left and then immediately right onto the road that climbs alongside a quarry and passes Le Bouchet on your right.

(5) Leave theGR® which turns right and take the path on the left which crosses the Ruisseau des Fontaines de Cours, pass close to the Petit Bouché (on your right) and arrive at the end of the path on a road. Follow it to the crossroads, keeping to the right.

(6) Take the path opposite, slightly to the left. At the intersection, turn right towards a small stream and continue to Fourbeau.

At the first houses, take the road on the left that goes back up to the main road. Turn left again to return to the starting point of the hike (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 124 m - Fourbeau
  2. 1 : km 1.25 - alt. 72 m - GRP junction, on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.67 - alt. 56 m - Crossing the D12
  4. 3 : km 3.66 - alt. 99 m - GRP and GR36 intersection
  5. 4 : km 4.53 - alt. 91 m - D12 intersection
  6. 5 : km 5.46 - alt. 123 m - Leave the GR, path on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.47 - alt. 115 m - Road, turn slightly left opposite
  8. S/E : km 8.15 - alt. 124 m - Fourbeau

Notes

Some paths are not flat but hilly with stones, so I recommend wearing good shoes. I also recommend avoiding this route after or during heavy rain as the paths can become muddy or slippery.

Worth a visit

During the hike:

  • The valleys of the Vergne, Fontaines de Cours and Egray streams.
  • Pretty shaded paths.
  • Some beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding valley.
  • The villages: Fourbeau, Les Fichères and La Chambinière.

Nearby:

  • The towns of Champdeniers, Germond and Xaintray.
  • The Château de Nuchèze.

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 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
isabellebl
isabellebl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike through varied landscapes. It is important to wear sturdy footwear as some rocky sections of the trail can be slippery after rain.

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kgyorffy
kgyorffy

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first part, up to point 2, is magnificent, with superb vegetation. Between points 2 and 5, the setting is a little less wild, with more wide paths and roads. Overall, the route remains varied

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Kaj
Kaj

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk. Interesting to walk on the rock...

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TINO1779
TINO1779

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route.
Please note that the description states that the woodland path is actually called the woodland paths.

The trail follows several marked routes, which can be confusing. So follow the description and/or the GPX track carefully.
Hike completed in spring in dry weather (phew). Magnificent scenery, hilly but accessible trail. To be repeated in summer... And for me, it will be with pleasure.

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1531079191004
1531079191004

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that must be done in dry weather! Parking is not easy in Fourbeau, but it's not crowded. The forest path (starting point) is not marked. Turn left before leaving the village. I agree with the previous comments.

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RASSELET
RASSELET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Another beautiful walk that requires you to be fit and, above all, well-shod (waterproof shoes!)

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marie-paule denis
marie-paule denis

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The explanation in point 1 did not seem very clear to us, and the various markings did not help. In fact, we took the GR in the wrong direction! We eventually found our way back and completed the entire route, but at the cost of a few extra kilometres... As mentioned, you should only do this route in dry weather and with good footwear. It's a pleasant walk if you avoid the mistake we made.

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JC79
JC79

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful hilly route, passing through small villages.
be careful during periods of heavy rain, as some sections can be difficult...

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mifo10
mifo10

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent course, quite hilly but mostly shaded.

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Marc1958+
Marc1958+

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

At the end of the route in the village of Fourbeau, note the dovecote and the 16th-century dwelling (façade with mullioned window bearing the arms of France)

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Jimmy Sabourin
Jimmy Sabourin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

A very well-organised and detailed hike, definitely worth repeating.
Thank you, Flore.
Best regards, Jimmy

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dany79000
dany79000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant and hilly route. Best done in dry weather as it crosses streams

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Roso
Roso

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A somewhat challenging hike with several ascents/descents and some nice passages such as streams.

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marichantal
marichantal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a superb hike to do in autumn to enjoy the scenery.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.