Circuit du Dolmen

Situated at 25m altitude - the river Né and the Motte stream are the principal water courses which cross the locality.
In certain places there are excellent views towards and from the village, the Dolmen, of the vineyards, the landscape of the Grande Champagne and surrounding villages. In every season you can discover a certain charm and appeal in St. Fort.

Technical sheet

276583
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 72 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 72 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 62 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 20 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/F) Start at ‘Halte Randonneurs’ and walk up the chalk path to the main road.

(1) Turn right onto the D151, heading towards the Dolmen.
Continue past the Distillerie & the restaurant, taking the left turn at the crossroads – signposted Dolmen.

(2) Walk up the short slope, taking a right to admire the Dolmen; and taking time to appreciate the view of the village. Return to the path & turn right to continue your hike. When you get to the crossing, turn left and walk down to the crossroads. Cross the D736 carefully and continue up the hill towards the village.

(3) Take the first right, following up and around the houses & vines. Right again.

(4) Go past the cemetery and 50m later there are nice views over the villages. At the highest point you can admire a 270 degree panoramic view. Turn right off the road onto the chalk path through the vineyards

(5) Take a left at the intersection (wooden waymarked sign) after a km and follow a track, through the vineyards towards La Vallade hamlet.(6)

Turn left (waymarked as before) and when you get to the road turn left and continue 50m before turning right for another 50m then turn right again reaching a track, which will eventually join up with a small road. Turn left and pay attention, as the next 200m through La Vallade is very narrow.

When leaving the village turn left (7) onto a grassy track, turn right when it joins up with the chalk path and after 100m have a break at the picnic spot (8) (shaded by walnut trees with a picnic table provided).

Continue along the track to a crossing, (9) turning left up the hill to a chalk path crossing. Turn right, passing cherry trees and look for the waymark sign to take a left through the vines for 100m, then right reaching the D731 Cognac-Archiac.

(10) Cross over carefully and head down the small road opposite. Look and listen for traffic! Walk down the small road to the waymark sign and take a right heading up to view the Moulin des Plantes.

(11), Back track to the small road until you reach the crossing and turn right. At the next intersection, head left continuing straight ahead over about 250m reaching the road.

(12) Turn right. Turn left at the T-junction. Cross the D371 once again and head into Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né. Head left down Rue de l'église and go to the left of the church. After the church, turn right. Head left at the crossing onto Rue du Champ de Foire. At the crossroads go on towards Route du Dolmen (south-east).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 21 m - Halte Randonneurs at Saint-Fort-sur-le - Né (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 22 m - Intersection Route Départemenntale
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 42 m - Dolmen Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 35 m - Les Bons Enfants
  5. 4 : km 3.14 - alt. 55 m - Viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 38 m - Intersection
  7. 6 : km 5.74 - alt. 32 m - Entrance to La Vallade
  8. 7 : km 6.22 - alt. 26 m - Moulin de la Motte
  9. 8 : km 6.7 - alt. 25 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 7.61 - alt. 43 m - Carrefour
  11. 10 : km 8.67 - alt. 37 m - Route D731
  12. 11 : km 9.28 - alt. 38 m - Moulin des Plantes
  13. 12 : km 10.05 - alt. 25 m - Le Ménis
  14. S/E : km 11.59 - alt. 21 m - Departure/Arrival

Practical information

A hikers' spot and picnic area are available (S/F)

In the nearby area

Admire the Dolmen along with the view of the village.
At the highest point you can take in a 270 degree panoramic view.
Admire the "Moulin des Plantes".

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
Serge_Augusta
Serge_Augusta

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

This is a leisurely walk with no particular difficulties.
The route is mainly through vineyards. Apart from the dolmen, there are few sights to be seen, and the Motte mill is hard to guess as it is in a pitiful state.
However, don't look for the restaurant to guide you at the start of the route as it is closed.
A monotonous route. This is a sporting route, not a discovery trail.

Automatically translated

valejale
valejale

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Look out for point 7: km 6.22 - alt. 28m - Moulin de la Motte
no blue markings at this point
the path is very grassy and not always visible if the grass is high
Not a very popular route at this time of year

Automatically translated

MGF
MGF

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk, the dolmen is magnificent. The other points of interest are few in number (an old mill that has lost its wings) or very damaged.
The picnic area is very good, and you can set up an extra table in the shade if you have one.
Thank you for this route!

Automatically translated

gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you elianevisorandonnées
Can you give us the position of the private road you mentioned?

Automatically translated

elianevisorandonnées
elianevisorandonnées

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Good evening,

I wrote down "average" because at one point on the route we had to take a private road that was not maintained.
What a pity!
Sincerely

Automatically translated

nathaliecognac
nathaliecognac

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice walk for the dolmen and the mill, but you do go round in circles in the vineyards.
Extra good signposting, just be careful with the description at point 7: turn left before the moulin de la motte, not after it.

Automatically translated

nene.016
nene.016

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Super easy walk

Automatically translated

fginette
fginette

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

correct route, but the markings are sometimes missing
Otherwise, it's a pleasant walk with sites not to be missed (dolmen, mill, etc.).

Automatically translated

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.