The Pinson Route in Loigné-sur-Mayenne

(S/E) Start at La Roche lock in Loigné-sur-Mayenne. With the river behind you, go straight on, then turn left onto the small tarmac road. Turn right after 250 metres and, at the junction, turn left. Continue straight on along this road, passing the Manoir du Viaulnay.

(1) When you see the signs for Fontenailles and l’Érable on the right, turn right and, at the three-way junction, take the left-hand track. Carry on straight ahead. After just over 700 metres, the road curves to the right and a path branches off to the left.

(2) Turn left to go round a pond and follow the track. You will then come to a junction with a small tarmac road.

(3) Turn left onto this road and follow it until you reach a junction with the D112. Turn right and carry on to the next junction.

(4) At the signs for Le Cormier and Les Grands Cormiers, turn left and, at the three-way junction, take the right-hand lane. Carry on and, at the first junction, turn right. Continue along this small tarmac road until you reach the D607.

(5) Turn left onto it, then turn right at the first junction (hiking sign on the left and signs for ‘Le Pinson’, ‘Le Grand Pinson’ and ‘Les Petits Pinsons’ on the right). Take this small road and, after passing the farm at a place called ‘Le Pinson’, the road leads to a three-way junction.

(6) Take the path on the right and continue straight on until you reach another three-way junction. Take the left-hand path and continue straight on until you come to a junction with a small tarmac road. Turn left and cross the little Ruisseau d’Oliveau.

(7) Take the path leading off to the right immediately afterwards, which leads to a small tarmac road. Turn right, head downhill for about sixty metres and, at the junction, turn right onto the D112.

(8) Turn left at the first three-way junction (C2, towards Écluse de Neuville). Take the C2; at the three-way junction, take the left-hand lane, then carry on straight ahead to join the towpath at the Neuville lock.

(9) Turn right onto the towpath and follow the River Mayenne to reach the Roche Lock, the end of the walk (S/E).

Parking spaces are available at La Roche lock. It is also possible to start the route from Neuville lock (at9). Parking spaces are also available there. Finally, if you’d like to have a bite to eat, you can do so at Neuville lock.