Route du Black Castle

For nature lovers, enjoy this walk in the heart of a dense forest rich in biodiversity.

Details

945215
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 99 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 94 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 119 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 67 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Salle des Fêtes in Vernoil-le-Fourrier.
Signposting: Green – Suitable for hybrid bikes/mountain bikes

(S/E) From the car park (with the start sign in front of you), turn right, then left, then right again onto the small path. Return to the road and turn left.

(1) At the bend, turn right. Return to the road and turn left at the junction. At the next junction, continue straight on for 50m.

(2) Turn right. Continue along the path on the left and follow it for about 3 km, until you reach the Martinière forest track.

(3) Turn slightly right and then left at the junction. Follow this path for about 2 km until you reach the large junction on the Route du Doreur.

(4) Turn left, then take the first path on the left. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and at the next one turn left. Continue until you reach the D85.

(5) Cross over and immediately take the path on the left. Continue, passing to the left of the lake, then turn right at the crossroads and carry on to the houses at a place called La Petite Breille.

(6) Turn left onto Impasse de la Petite Breille. At the crossroads, turn left and then immediately right. At the end of the road, turn left and rejoin the D58.

(7) Cross the road and take the road opposite. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the end of the road, turn left and then, shortly afterwards, right. Head towards the next crossroads, passing under the power lines.

(8) Turn left, then take the third road on the left. Continue straight on, passing under the power lines again, and cross a road between the hamlets of La Sablonnière and L’Aireau Guichard.
Join the Route de la Maisonneuve.

(9) Turn left onto the path which leads onto a road; follow this for about 600m.

(10) Turn right at the third path. Continue along the path to the end to reach Route du Bois de Marguerite.

(11) Turn left. Pass the first junction, then at the second junction turn left towards La Jannetière. Follow this road to the cross.

(12) Turn right onto Rue de la Roche. At the crossroads, turn left then right onto Rue de l’Aumônerie for about 50m.

(13) Turn left. Walk between the priory and the church. Then turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 71 m - Car park in front of the village hall
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 74 m - Rue de la Chambarderière
  3. 2 : km 0.78 - alt. 84 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.11 - alt. 99 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 5.13 - alt. 71 m - Carrefour
  6. 5 : km 7.48 - alt. 86 m - Crossing the D85
  7. 6 : km 8.4 - alt. 98 m - La Petite Breille
  8. 7 : km 9.54 - alt. 112 m - Crossing the D58
  9. 8 : km 12.23 - alt. 93 m - Carrefour
  10. 9 : km 14.66 - alt. 91 m - La Maison Neuve
  11. 10 : km 16.01 - alt. 115 m - Path on the right
  12. 11 : km 17.77 - alt. 81 m - Route de Bois de Marguerite
  13. 12 : km 18.71 - alt. 78 m - Cross
  14. 13 : km 19.13 - alt. 69 m - Turn left towards the priory
  15. S/E : km 19.27 - alt. 71 m - Car park in front of the village hall

Notes

Saumur Val de Loire Tourism - Gennes-Val-de-Loire
2, rue des ponts - 49350 Les-Rosiers-sur-Loire
Tel. 02 41 51 09 10
Opening hours

Saumur Val de Loire Tourism
8 bis quai Carnot – CS 54032 – 49415 Saumur Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 60 – Fax. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 69
Opening hours

www.saumur-tourisme.com

Worth a visit

Places to visit
- Listed Saint Vincent Church (11th–12th century)
- Listed priory (13th–15th century)
- Château de la Roche (private)

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 27791277

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The route looks appealing according to the description. Please note that during the deer rutting season (15 September to 15 October), the section between points 6 and 10 is closed due to the deer rut. The route is shortened from 19 to 13 kilometres, and more tarmac roads are used.

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Pau_line
Pau_line

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well signposted. Check the GPX track regularly, as you might end up doing a 13km route instead of the 19km one. Great for trail running.

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karine37
karine37
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, done in late October, with the beautiful colours of autumn. Mostly along paths through the forest, surrounded by peace and the sounds of nature.
Apart from the end, which was a bit of a slog along the road, but you have to get back to your car somehow! I’ll do it again in the spring.

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Luc Ma
Luc Ma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the forest, perfect for warm weather. Although the start was rather unremarkable, the forest grew increasingly beautiful as we went on. No major sights, but a wonderful moment of peace and tranquillity. Some lovely moments, including spotting two fallow deer in a park, a magnificent avenue of wildflowers where hundreds of butterflies come to feed, and a spot of mushroom picking along the paths – what more could you ask for?! A truly lovely experience. Thanks to the trail planner.

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