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Access: In Azay-le-Rideau, cross the Indre river and pass through the Chapelle Saint-Blaise. At the exit of this hamlet, turn right onto the D17 towards Cheillé. This is on theGR®®3. Cross over the Chinon road, then shortly afterwards turn left, following theGR®® markings, onto Rue du Bourg. Continue to the hamlet and park on the left at the intersection.
Please note! This route is not marked as such.
(S/E) Continue along this road, heading south-west, following theGR®®, marked in red and white. The road veers to the right.
(1) Take a path on the left and, further on, turn right.
(2) At the crossroads, take the second track on the left, then, at the next crossroads, take the first track on the right onto Route Forestière Isabeau de Bavière. You will come to a wide lane in the hamlet of La Herpinière.
(3) Turn onto the third track on the left, Route Charles VII. Descend to a small stream, then climb back up a little before turning right (still on theGR®®). Continue along this path. Ford a stream (this can be tricky in winter).
(4) At the intersection, continue straight ahead until you reach a road.
(5) Just before reaching the road, leave theGR®®3and turn right onto the path that leads back. Continue along this wide path until you reach a road.
(6) Keep to the right and continue straight ahead. Pass close to the Manoir de la Roche and you will come to another road.
(7) Turn right towards the hamlet, then left onto a path between the houses.
(8) Turn right onto a grassy path and then enter the undergrowth. Join a road and continue north to cross the hamlet of troglodytic houses. You will arrive in the village of Cheillé.
(9) Turn right, pass under the oak tree and follow the road uphill to the left as you leave the village. Continue along the heights for a while. You will see the Château de la Cour-au-Berruyer on your right. Continue along the road, which begins to descend towards the Indre valley.
(10) At the Y-junction, turn right onto a path (wine grower's sign) and arrive at the Beaulieu farm.
(11) Turn left onto the road. After a few bends, continue straight ahead to return to the car park (S/E).
A walk taken in autumn in glorious weather. An easy route and the explanations in the guidebook are very clear. We really enjoyed the first half of the walk, which took us along beautiful bridle paths under the golden foliage of beech and oak trees. The little troglodyte valley south of Cheillé is full of charm, as is the village church with its 300-year-old oak tree embedded in one of the church walls.
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