The Theil and La Rigaudière forest route

Departure from the car park at La Roche aux Fées.

(S/E) Join and take the D341 on the left towards the south-east until you reach a place called La Roche.

(1) Just before the "La Court Morel" bus stop, take the path on the right. After about 60 metres, turn left and continue straight on until you reach the first intersection with a road. Continue along the path opposite towards La Malécoterie, then La Hupiére. Cross this hamlet.

(2) At the exit, leave the road, take a path on the left and follow it until the next intersection with a road at Les Brégeons. Cross and continue for about 300 metres until you reach the railway line.

(3) Go under the railway bridge and turn left onto the first path. Continue for about 1 km until you reach La Jaunaie and arrive at Rue de la Sablonniére opposite the ESAT les ateliers Sévigné.

(4) Turn right onto this street and follow it to the D47.

(5) Continue towards the D173 bridge and walk for about 500 m until you reach a gravel path on the left.

(6) Take this path, pass the hamlet of La Butte des Prés and continue to the second crossroads. Turn right after the water tower on your left and join a path on the right.

(7) Turn onto this path and continue to the D47.

(8) Cross it carefully and continue opposite, along the edge of the Forest of Theil, until you reach the entrance to the undergrowth at the end of a bend.

(9) Take the path on the right and continue almost straight ahead for 1.5 km.

(10) If you turn left, you will reach a calvary. Continuing on, you will come to a road.

(11) Follow it until you reach the tunnel under the railway line.

(12) Immediately after exiting the tunnel, turn left onto a dirt path through the woods. Follow this path until you reach a street, keep to the left and continue until you reach the intersection with the D99.

(13) Turn right towards the church via Rue Amand de Léon des Ormeaux, pass the church and continue on the D99 towards Essè. Pass the wash house park, where you can take a break. Continue on the D99, cross the bridge over the D173 and continue for about 100 metres.

(14) Take the first road on the left parallel to the departmental road and follow it to a road.

(15) Turn right, go around the left side of the Étang de la Rigaudière lake, keep the château of the same name on your left and rejoin the D99.

(16) Follow it to the right for about 80 metres, then turn onto the path on the left, below the road, which is not marked. Continue along the path that runs alongside the Ricordel stream. This path turns right towards the south and, shortly after this change of direction, look for the first path on the left.

(17). Leave the edge of the stream on the left. The path turns right after about 300 m. Follow it towards Basse and Haute Trousseliére, leaving them on your left, and you will come out onto the D341.

(18) Turn right for 600 m and then turn left to return to the Roche aux Fées car park (S/E).

You can take a break at the wash house park.

Bakery near the church in Thieil-de-Bretagne.

The Roche aux Fées dolmen.

The Château de la Rigaudière (not open to visitors, EPHAD).

The medieval castle of Marcillé-Robert, 5 km from La Roche aux Fées. (Guided tours available).