From Chalette-sur-Voire to Outines

Red and white markings on the GR®145
(D) Head north and follow Rue du Marais (D75) to leave the village.
(1) After passing a farmyard on the right, turn left (north-east) onto a stony path between the fields.
(2) At the crossroads, go straight on (north-east). Pass under a high-voltage power line and then follow it on your right.
(3) At the junction (grove), turn right, pass under the high-voltage power line again and head due south.
(4) At the Stop sign, rejoin the D75, follow it to the left and pass the church and then the town hall of Bétignicourt. Ignore a road on the right.
(4) Head left to cross the village, passing the Church of Saint Ferréol; then, at the bend to the right, leave the D75 and continue straight on along the Grande Rue. At the fork in the road, keep left on the Grande Rue and carry on to the next fork in the road with half-timbered houses.
(5) At a fork in the road, turn left onto the Chemin de Rosnay. The tarmac soon gives way to an uphill track. Pass a small copse on the right, ignore a track on the left and continue east-north-east. Pass the Garenne farm.
(6) You’ll come out onto the D356; follow it to the left and enter the village of Rosnay-l’Hôpital. Pass a fruit and vegetable vending machine (where you can stock up on supplies).
(7) Take the first right (marker stone), the Ruelle des Marronniers. Go round the church on the right and you’ll reach the D24.
(8) Turn left, take the first right – Rue des Ravelins – and walk past the town hall. Leave the village and continue along a path. First turn left then right to cross a small wood. Walk under a high-voltage power line.
(9) At the T-junction, turn left and pass under the high-voltage power line again. Carry on straight ahead until you reach the D193.
(10) Carefully follow the road to the right. Pass a cross and continue along the road for about 600 metres.
(11) Turn left onto a slightly uphill dirt track (keep an eye out for this turn-off). Shortly afterwards, take the first track on the right and climb gently.
(12) At the junction, carry on straight ahead until you reach the D62.
(13) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite (north-east).
(13) Cross the road and continue straight ahead across the fields until you reach the crossroads
(14) At the next crossroads, turn right. At the end of the track, head left until you reach the next T-junction.
(15) Then turn right. At the crossroads shortly afterwards, turn left. Keep heading north-north-east.
(16) Ignore a path on the right and head north-north-west. Ignore a fork on the left (marker 161) and then one on the right.
(17) Turn right just before a farm. Stay on the main signposted path, pass the cemetery and arrive at the foot of the church.
(18) Turn right onto Rue du Bois and immediately ignore a street on the right. Continue straight on and follow the D56 towards Bailly-Le-Franc. Cross the railway tracks at the level crossing and continue along the D56. Cross a stream, ignore a path on the right and you will immediately reach another junction.
(19) Turn left onto a track. Walk through a small copse, continue between the fields and reach a Fork in the road just before a high-voltage power line.
(20) Then turn right at a sharp angle. Further on, pass under a high-voltage power line and continue between the fields. At a junction (marker 134), go straight on until you reach the D56.
(21) Follow the road to the left and pass under a high-voltage power line. Continue along the D56 to a junction at the foot of the church in Bailly-le-Franc.
(22) Cross the D127 and pass the church and then the town hall on your left. Carry on straight ahead until you reach a Fork in the road just before a stream.
(23) Turn slightly right before the bridge and follow the stream on your left. Cross the stream and continue north-east between the fields.
(24) At a fork in the road, turn left (north-north-east). Pass under a power line and then cross a stream. Turn right, then left, passing under the power line twice.
(25) At the next junction, turn left. At the crossroads (marker 137), carry on straight ahead (north-west). Further on, the track gives way to a tarmac road. At the T-junction, go straight on to the church.
(26) Then turn right. Ignore a road on the right and carry on north-east.
(27) Cross the Pont d’Arrigny and continue straight on to the Croix des Chamois. Then turn right.
(28) Take the first left. Continue straight on, heading north-east, following the GR®145 along a road closed to vehicles over 5.5 tonnes. Keep heading in this direction until you reach a signpost.
(29) Turn right onto the GR®14B towards Lac de Der (lodge on the left). Pass under a high-voltage power line. You’ll come to the edge of a pond; head diagonally to the right and find a secluded spot to camp near the Grand Coulon North bird observatory (A).

Water points and picnic tables along the route. Provisions available in Rosnay-l’Hôpital (7) and at a Proximarché in Chavanges (18) Look for a place to camp around the Étang du Grand Coulon. Accommodation options: Lodge Au Milieu de Nulle Part: Tel 0667367493 https://www.au-milieu-de-nulle-part.com/... Cabane aux Secrets Tel: 0326721566Hike undertaken by the author on 10 May 2024

(8) Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Rosnay-l’Hôpital; Church of the Holy Cross in its Exaltation in Bailly-le-Franc. (26) Church of Saint Nicholas in Outines; (A) Northern Grand Coulon Bird Observatory; (A) Lac de Der