From Bourron-Marlotte to Bois-le-Roi through the Forest of Fontainebleau

Starting point and access: Bourron-Marlotte-Grez station.
- Transilien - Line R, on the section between Paris-Lyon and Montargis.
Take the only exit, Place de la Gare, on the side of platform 2 (towards Paris from Montargis). If arriving in the opposite direction, platform 1, take the underpass.

Red and white + green and white markings

(S) With your back to the station, follow the^GR®13onto the^first road on the left, towards Grez-sur-Loing. Walk alongside the railway line on your left and go through the tunnel under the D607. At the roundabout, take the^first left, towards Recloses. Go straight on along this small road. After a metal gate on the left, turn right, still on tarmac.

(1) After a “Crossroads” sign on the left-hand side (and therefore behind you), leave the road by following a path to the right which enters the forest and then turns immediately left (the “Private Property” sign applies to the undergrowth on the right). Walk west-north-west through a forest of mixed species, with undergrowth that is dense in places.

No signposting

(2) At the crossroads, continue straight on, west-north-west, along the Chemin du Moulin de la Fosse. At the next junction, go straight on along the same path. Under the pine trees, note the rocks on the slope to the right. Ignore a path branching off to the right (small rock on the right-hand side) and wind your way slightly uphill. At the three-way junction that follows, turn right.

Blue markings

(3) At a junction, continue straight ahead (north-west) along a wide path. At the next junction (small rock on the right-hand side), go straight ahead again. After a few metres (plot no. 204), turn sharply left. At the next three-way junction (rock), turn sharply right. Walk north-west through a pine forest with mossy undergrowth, ignoring a path branching off to the left. Further on, pass a tennis court on your right and then a small football pitch on your left, before coming out onto a small road.

Red and white + green and white markings

(4) Follow the road to the right for a few metres and, at the start of the cobbled section, turn sharply left onto the Sentier du Bourg towards the Chemin de Paume. At the next junction, veer right, climb alongside a fence on your left and pass at the foot of a rocky hillock. At the top, turn left onto the Sente de la Jambée. Pass a chicane and continue along a cobbled lane.

No signposting

At the junction, cross the road and continue along the grassy path opposite. At the end, turn right and pass by the church’s apse. Turn immediately left onto a stony lane and walk alongside the church on your left to reach its façade and the war memorial.

Signposting: Red and White + Green and White

(5) With your back to the church, take the path opposite between two walls. At the end, follow the road to the right, ignoring all side entrances but noting the beautiful houses they lead to. At the end of a right-hand bend, turn left onto Chemin de Paris (tarmac). Ignore a road on the left and continue along the dead-end street. When you reach a wooden gate on the right-hand side, continue straight on and enter the forest.

No signposting

At the next junction, continue straight on (north-west) and let the^GR®13branch off to the right.

(6) At the junction (plot no. 686), turn left and follow a path marked by sandstone boundary stones that mark the boundary of the state-owned forest. Proceed in this way from marker no. 261 to marker no. 265, all of which are on the left-hand side. Just before marker no. 266, which is on the right-hand side, turn right onto the inconspicuous Route du Clos Héron. Cross a road and continue straight ahead (wet patches). At the next junction, take the second path on the right, the Route du Parc aux Bœufs.

Green and white markings

(7) After a few metres, follow the Route de Recloses to Arbonne on the left. Pass through a forest gate and emerge onto the D152. Cross the road (take care) and continue straight ahead through a sparse oak grove. At the next junction (plots nos. 662 and 663), continue straight on until you reach a crossroads.

No signposting

(8) Take the^second right, the Route de Montpensier. Go straight on (north), cross the Route du Décagone and arrive at the Grands Feuillards crossroads (beautiful beech trees, car park).

(9) Turn diagonally left onto Route de la Princesse Marie, which starts at the foot of a tree marked no. 634. Continue straight ahead (north-north-west) for about 1.5 km, crossing several paths, including Route du Décagone again.

(10) Turn right onto Route du Blaireau, which starts between plots nos. 603 and 602. Wind your way through the forest to reach the Carrefour du Blaireau. Then take the^second left, onto Route de Trévise.

Caution – The following section follows a poorly marked path across a plateau and requires a good sense of direction. It should only be attempted in dry weather. If you wish to avoid it, see alternative route no. 1 in the practical information.

(11) At the junction, continue straight on along the Route de Trévise, which becomes a path. Cross a plateau, keeping a northerly bearing. The path is poorly marked; you’ll need to weave your way through clumps of heather, walk over rocks protruding from the ground and, in places, bypass damp patches. Pass by a rock shaped like a turtle’s head, which serves as a good landmark. Leave the plateau and rejoin a well-marked path in the forest (small pond on the right-hand side). The path veers left and joins the Carrefour de Caylus. Then take the first path on the left, the Route de la Louve. After a right-hand bend, follow this pleasant path, which is slightly sunken between two rocky outcrops.

(12) At the crossroads (parcels nos. 782 and 783), head north-west along the Route du Rocher de Milly (the second right for the main route, straight ahead for the alternative route). At the next junction, take the^third right heading north, the Route Fabre (incorrectly labelled Route du Rocher de Milly on the 1:25,000 map but correctly labelled when zooming in). Cross the Route de Trévise, go uphill and then back down. At the bottom, cross the Route des Semis and continue straight ahead. At the Carrefour des Hautes Plaines, two paths branch off opposite: take the one on the right, Route Saulx. At the next junction, go straight on and head downhill.

Red and white markings

(13) At the bottom, follow the Route des Gorges de Franchard to the right, a wide sandy track.

Blue markings

After about 350 m, turn left onto Route du Carnage. The path winds downwards. Cross Route Amédée and climb steeply between the rocks on a paved path. Reach a sort of pass (hiking signs).

Signs with yellow hikers on a white background

(14) Turn left towards the viewpoint. Zigzag between the trees and rocks, heading west and following the signposts. After about 200 m, turn right (north) and reach the Cuisinière viewpoint, a large rocky terrace offering a sweeping panorama to the north.

(15) Retrace your steps (signposts have been put up for both directions).

No signposting

(14) Take the wooden steps on the left towards the Route de l'Ermitage. Descend gently, alternating between wooden steps (installed to limit erosion) and the path. At the bottom, go straight on along a wide path lined with tall fir trees and, unusually, unmarked. At the next junction, turn right onto Route des Buttes de Franchard. Walk uphill through a birch and heather wood, then climb a short steep slope. At the top, cross Route Sainte-Fare and head downhill. Cross Route des Trois Frères and emerge onto the D409.

(16) Cross either the D409 on the right, or the D409 on the left, a central reservation and then the D11. In both cases, take great care, as the D409 is a busy road. Continue straight on along the Route des Buttes de Franchard, which becomes a wide track. At the first junction, turn left onto the Route du Bois d'Hyver. Go straight on, ignoring the side roads, until you reach the Carrefour du Bois d'Hyver.

(17) Then, heading north, take the third right, still on the Route du Bois d'Hyver. The road climbs gently at first, then more steeply. At the top, the track curves to the left. At the Carrefour du Chêne Marais, take the third right onto Route Marie-Thérèse. After about 250 m, before a descent, turn left onto Route des Accacias. At the Carrefour André Billy, take the^third road on the right heading north and you will soon reach the Gorges d'Apremont viewpoint.

Red and white + blue markings

(18) Turn right onto a path that winds its way between small rocks. Head downhill and, at a junction, continue straight ahead.

Green and white + blue markings

Cross Route Marie-Thérèse and head back up the opposite side. Climb a small hill and descend in a zigzag pattern.

No markings

You’ll come out onto a small tarmac road (no traffic); follow it to the left and pass by the foot of the remarkable Sully Oak. Continue for a few metres on the tarmac.

Caution – The sections that follow, up to the Carrefour de l’Épine, follow paths that climb, descend and wind between the rocks, and require a good sense of direction. The route on the 1:25,000 map is not precise enough; you need to zoom in further to get a clear view of the intersections. If you wish to avoid these sections, see alternative route no. 2 in the practical information.

Signs reading “Route cavalière, return to the Bas Bréau car park” (follow in the opposite direction to the arrow)

(19) At a left-hand bend, leave the road and turn right onto a path at the foot of the Chêne Lantara. Ignore a yellow arrow pointing left and go straight on. At a crossroads (birch trees), go straight on and take a sandy path interspersed with sandstone steps. Pass between large boulders. Ignore a path branching off to the left and head uphill. At a fork in the road, go left. Stay on the main path, which has steps in places. At a fork in the road at the foot of a signpost (large boulder on the left), follow a track on the left that climbs until you come to a blue marker.

Blue markings

(20) Follow the Denecourt-Colinet trail no. 6 to the left. You will soon find, on the right, the entrance to the Caverne des Brigands, marked by a large Blue Circle on the trunk of a dead tree. Continue westwards, zigzagging between or over the rocks; follow the very dense markings closely and note landmarks for the return journey. You will reach a viewpoint.

(21) Retrace your steps eastwards (do not head down north).

(20) Continue eastwards on path no. 6. When you cross the path you took earlier on the ascent, make a first turn left then right. Zigzag between the rocks, carefully following the very dense markings (it is impossible to describe all the details here).

No markings

(22) At the bottom of a descent, at the corner of a rock marked with the letter X, take the path that descends to the left (let the Blue path climb up opposite). Descend in switchbacks on a narrow but well-marked path, passing a large boulder marked with the number 3 in red.

(23) At the bottom, at a T-junction, follow a wide path to the left. At the next junction, turn right onto the Route de la Solitude and follow a fence on your left. You will come to a car park.

Red and white markings

(24) Take the underpass to safely cross the busy D607. Cross the car park to the other side and continue straight on along the^GR®1(plot no. 884 on the left-hand side). Pass between the boulders (follow the markings carefully) then climb up through the pine forest. At a three-way junction, go right. Climb up without attempting to scale the entire hill on the left. At the top of the hill, at a T-junction, turn left (let the^GR® head off to the right) and you’ll immediately come out onto a wide path.

No signposting

(25) Then follow the Route Tournante du Cuvier Chatillon to the right. Note the old sandstone quarries below on the right. Ignore a path branching off to the left and, at the junction that appears immediately, take the second left, the Route de la Vallée Creuse. Walk east-northeast and cross three perpendicular paths. Just before a crossroads, note a multi-stemmed beech tree on the right.

(26) At the crossroads, take the^second right, the Route du Clocher (gravel track). Cross a faint path and, at the next junction, take the^first left, the Route du Ragot (the Route du Quartenier, just next to it, appears to be disused). At the next crossroads, turn right onto the Route de la Table du Grand Maître. Cross the D142 (take care, as it is a busy road) and you will immediately find the Table du Grand Maître, made entirely of sandstone, directly opposite.

Blue markings
Do not confuse the very clear dashes of the Denecourt-Colinet trail no. 12 with the raised > or < signs on some trees.

(27) With your back to the road, leave the table on your right and follow the path to the left. The descent is gentle at first, then steep.

No markings

At the bottom, at a junction, continue straight on along Route du Limier. Cross a pine forest and note, on the left-hand side, a majestic solitary oak tree.

Blue markings

At the exit of a left-hand bend, at a barely marked junction, turn right onto a path. At the junction that appears immediately, continue straight ahead. Climb slightly, wind your way up and then descend.

Red and white markings

(28) Cross the D606 (take care, busy road) and follow the Route du Pavé de la Cave (tarmac) opposite. Take the first path on the left, the Route des Ventes Bouchard. Go straight on and cross three other paths.

(29) At the junction (plot no. 205), turn right onto Route de la Perlure. Cross the D138 (take care) and continue straight on between garden fences. At the next junction, continue straight ahead onto Chemin des Coureurs. At the end, turn left twice and follow Rue Pasteur. After about 150m, turn right into the narrow Rue de la Paix. Cross Place de la Gare and arrive at the station (E).

To get back home:
- Transilien - Line R, towards Melun and Paris-Lyon (direct access) or Montereau or Montargis (use the underpass).

Train timetables: check the Transilien website.

For motorists:
Both stations are on the same section of the same line: leave a car in the car park at one of the stations and make a return journey by train. It is also possible to arrange for at least two cars, one at each station.

Hiking boots are essential.

No water points along the route: plan your supplies accordingly. Bar at the station square in Bois-le-Roi (E), very welcome after such a long hike...

A 1:25,000 map is essential (at the very least the one accompanying this description).

Recommendations regarding the Denecourt-Colinet Trail No. 6:
In the Gorges d’Apremont area, between points (20) and (22), the route follows a blue-marked trail through the rocks. The markers may be located on three types of supports, at three different heights: (i) on tree trunks at eye level; (ii) on rocks, at the same height or lower; (iii) on rocks at ground level. Despite the density of the markings and their maintenance (thanks to the trail markers!), it is advisable to pay close attention so as not to lose the route. If you have not seen a marker for some time, do not hesitate to retrace your steps until you find the markings again.
N.B. Halfway between points (20) and (22), judging by the map, it should be possible to reach the Carrefour Félix Herbet directly via the Route de la Solitude. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the start of this path...

Alternative route no. 1:
- Bypassing the Platière du Rocher de Milly - At the junction (11), turn left onto the Route de Milly à Fontainebleau. After about 500m, turn right onto the Route du Rocher de Milly. Climb up, wind your way between some rocks and then descend to rejoin the main route at the junction (12). There is no significant difference in distance with this alternative route.

Alternative route no. 2:
- Avoiding the winding paths of the Gorges d’Apremont - At the junction (19), turn right then immediately left as indicated by a yellow arrow. At the T-junction, turn left and follow the yellow markings for “Peintres de Barbizon”. Walk alongside a wooden fence on your left and, at the end, continue straight ahead. At a fork in the road, turn right. Wind your way along, still following the yellow markings, to the Carrefour du Bas Bréau (large car park). Turn right, cross the car park and turn right onto the Route des Artistes. Follow the^GR®1(red and white markings) to the Carrefour de l’Épine (24). Expect the route to be 1km shorter and easily half an hour quicker, given the slower pace on the Denecourt-Colinet path.

Hike completed by the author on 7 April 2018.

Forest heritage:
- Generally speaking, pleasant forest paths through stands of trees of various species and ages.
- Several remarkable trees, including the Sully Oak, planted at the end of the 16th century and now around 420 years old, and the Lantara Oak (19).
- Old sandstone boundary markers marking the edge of the state-owned forest (6).

Rocky outcrops:
- The Rocher de Milly plateau, after (11).
- Franchard Gorges, between (13) and (15).
- Apremont Gorges, between (18) and (23).
- Natural shelter at the Caverne des Brigands, shortly after (20).
- Cuvier Chatillon, between (24) and (25).

Viewpoints:
- Franchard-Cuisinière (15).
- Gorges d'Apremont (18).
- Unnamed (21).

Built heritage:
- Recloses Church (13th–16th centuries) (5).
- Table of the Grand Master (1723), in sandstone (27).