Colossus with feet of clay in the Orient Forest

The Colossus with Feet of Clay is a short hiking trail of about 7 km. It invites hikers to discover the remarkable character of this forest area of the Orient Forest, and also addresses more serious issues such as climate change and the impact of humans on the natural environment.

The originality of the Colosse aux pieds d'argile trail lies in its seven stations, each featuring impressive works of art. For example, gates symbolise the entrance to a peaceful space and, with their imposing presence, invite visitors to be discreet. A little further on, ceramic sculptures evoke the cultural heritage of the site and spark the imagination with traces of human history.

Details

46990519
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 165 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 137 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Piney (10220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.288875° / E 4.392735°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2917SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Parking at the Maison du Parc car park

(S/E) At the entrance to the Comtes de Champagne line (white path), turn left and take the dirt track. At the first marker, turn right onto the forest path and continue to the steps.

(1) Go down, turn left and take the grassy path. Turn right at the marker on the line between forest plots 20 and 21 and continue before turning left at the next marker towards the pond. Continue straight on to the Porte du Chat.

(2) Either continue straight ahead to complete the entire route, or turn right to take the shortcut. For the full trail, continue straight ahead to the Porte de l'Enfant and turn right onto the plot line leading to the white path. Turn left to the Valois Observatory.

(3) Enjoy the views of Lake Auzon Temple and retrace your steps. Continue along the white path (on the left when returning from the observatory) to the pontoon and turn right onto the line between forest plots 1 and 2. Continue straight ahead until you reach the "Traces de l'Homme" sign, then turn right onto the narrower path. Continue straight ahead, passing by the hut. Continue to the shortcut marker.

(4) Go straight ahead or turn right to return more quickly to the Maison du Parc. When you reach the junction with the grassy path, cross over and continue straight ahead on the line between plots 58 and 57 until you reach the pond. Pass the pond with its information board and continue straight ahead until the next turn.

(5) Turn right onto the rural path to the large ears. After the large ears, turn right onto the white path and walk to the next marker in the bend. At the marker, leave the path and take the dirt path to a fork.

(6) Turn right onto the line between forest plots 62 and 63. Cross the pontoon and continue straight ahead on the same dirt track until you reach the Comtes de Champagne line (white track).

(7) Turn slightly left before the white path and go down the steps. Turn left onto the path to return to the starting point and the Maison du Parc. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 151 m - Parking at the Maison du Parc
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 150 m - Steps
  3. 2 : km 1.2 - alt. 152 m - Cat door
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 137 m - Valois Observatory
  5. 4 : km 4.48 - alt. 156 m - Shortcut marker
  6. 5 : km 4.91 - alt. 161 m - Crossroads with rural path
  7. 6 : km 5.98 - alt. 154 m - Intersection with plot line
  8. 7 : km 6.4 - alt. 149 m - Crossroads with the Comtes de Champagne line
  9. S/E : km 6.54 - alt. 151 m - Car park on Chemin Ligne des Comtes de Champagne

Notes

Access to the Maison du Parc car park, about 100 metres from the start.

The Maison du Parc has public toilets, two exhibition areas and a shop selling local products.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
dominiquew
dominiquew
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with a superb trail leading to the lake.
Don't forget your binoculars to enjoy the observatory
Please note that the trail is poorly marked and difficult to see, especially in autumn with the fallen leaves

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User 5407202

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful nature walk along small paths in the Orient Forest with a beautiful view of the lake
Fairly easy level
Luckily we were able to follow the route on Visorando because the markings weren't always easy to spot!

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Cathy13
Cathy13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk in the Orient Forest. No difficulty.

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TROVAN
TROVAN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and beautiful route to discover the lake and birds at the observatory.
A pleasant route that can be enjoyed by the whole family without any problems.

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eric L
eric L

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the forest. An easy hike with a nice stop at the bird observatory.

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Matnal
Matnal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A marker came loose about 1 km before the end of the route.

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lilou5410
lilou5410

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant and varied route (forest trails, views of the lake, etc.) with interesting and entertaining information. The signage is perfect and improvements have been made. A short walk to enjoy with the family or on your own. I recommend it.

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