Route of Angevinière and Petite Claye starting from Sains

Car park near the Étang du Pas Gérault.

(S/E) Head north-east, walking carefully along the road. Pass the large farm on your left and continue to the next crossroads. Turn left, walk between the houses and continue along the road until you reach the exit of the hamlet of Pas Gérault.

(1) Turn left onto the farm track, follow it and cross the woods. When you reach the edge, take the path on the right, which climbs gently towards Le Mériennais.

(2) At the intersection, take the road on the right towards the farm and join the D87. First turn right then left towards Grande Angevinière and continue to the pond in the locality. Turn left and take the road to the hamlet of Angevinière.

(3) Once you reach the bend, continue straight ahead on the grassy path for about 200 metres. Head towards the woods on the right and take the path that gradually descends towards the Voie de la Liberté (D576), joining it at a place called La Guinguette.

(4) Turn right and walk carefully along the road for about 150 m. Cross over to take the dirt track on the left, which continues along the Guyoult. Pass the ruins of the Moulin de la Claye and continue along the path, which gradually climbs to a crossroads.

(5) Take the road downhill on the left. Cross the bridge, then pass the Beffroy buildings and continue straight ahead at the crossroads just after.

(6) At the electrical transformer, follow the road that climbs to the left and joins the D87, just before La Claye.

(7) Turn left. Turn right at the three-way junction, following the direction of Le Grippé. Follow the main road, ignoring the other adjacent roads. Pass the equestrian centre, then join the junction with the D387.

(8) Turn left, then after 150 metres, turn right onto the Voie de la Liberté (D576). Follow it carefully on the right for 120 metres, then cross over onto a steep road at a small pond. Pass La Quémière, then Le Mériennais, continuing straight ahead until you reach the crossroads with greenhouses on your left.

(9) First turn right then left to take the farm track, which quickly veers to the left. After about 300 metres, follow the path on the right that leads back to the Étang du Pas Gérault. Cross the small bridge, then take the path on the left to go around the pond on its eastern side and return to the car park (S/E).

Toilets near the Étang du Pas Gérault car park.
The forest trail that runs along the Guyoult between markers (4) and (5) may be difficult to navigate in winter.

Chappe's telegraph in Saint-Marcan.