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Starting point and access: Fontainebleau-Forêt stop.
- Transilien - Line R, on the section between Paris-Lyon and Montargis (the stop is located between the Bois-le-Roi and Fontainebleau-Avon stations).
N.B. Service to the forest stop is limited (see the practical information section for more details):
~ There is no service on weekdays.
~ It is only served in the direction from Paris to Montargis. Passengers alight at the front of the train, on the gravel platform that serves as the station platform.
Blue signposting
(S) With your back to the railway line, turn left, walk along the railway line on your left and ignore the paths on your right. After about 200 metres, turn left and go under the railway line. On the other side, turn immediately right along the railway line. After about 50 metres, the path turns left into the forest. Follow this path as it winds through the undergrowth. At a junction, go straight ahead.
(1) Cross the road carefully and continue straight ahead on the path marked No. 15 towards Carrefour des Écouettes. At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the end of the path, cross the D138 carefully. On the other side, go through a forest barrier, walk a few metres along a wide path and immediately turn left to follow the marked path.
No markings
(2) At the next junction, leave the marked trail and follow another trail on the left, the Route de l'Hexagone (signposted further on). At the next two junctions, with wider paths, continue straight ahead on the Route de l'Hexagone.
Red and white markings
At the next junction (elevation 86), turn left onto Route de la Biche. At the end, first turn left then right onto Route du Faon. Climb up through a landscape of ferns and small rocks. At the top of the hill, you will reach a small pass.
Blue markings + blue capital letters on some rocks (read the recommendations in the practical information)
(3) Take the path on the right. Pass between rocks X and Y, then leave rock Z on your right. Stay on the path that winds between the trees and rocks, follow the markings carefully and ignore any vague traces on the sides. At clearly marked crossroads, continue straight ahead on the marked path. After a long winding stretch, descend to reach a crossroads with a wide path.
(4) Cross the path and follow trail no. 15, which branches off to the right towards Carrefour des Écouettes and the SNCF train station (where you started the hike).
No markings
At the T-junction, turn left and go up a stony path. This will take you to a small pass.
Blue markings + blue capital letters on some rocks (read the recommendations in the practical information)
(5) Turn right and follow another winding path. Pass at the foot of block G and enter a sort of gorge. Block E requires you to contort yourself and crawl under the rock (this passage can be bypassed). Go around block D and immediately turn right. Then ignore a path on the right and turn left. Pass at the foot of block C on the right and descend.
No markings
(6) At the T-junction, turn right. At the fork after about 100 metres, bear left and walk along a fenced plot on your right. At the next junction, turn left. At the next junction, follow the Route du Mont Saint-Germain to the right. Walk along a fenced-off plot of land undergoing regeneration on your left. After about 100 metres, look for a (legal) opening in the fence.
Blue markings
(7) Go through this opening and head north. Follow a marked path that winds through relatively dense vegetation with abundant ferns. Ignore a path coming from the right (not shown on the map) and pass at the foot of a large oak tree marked with a blue circle. Note a large three-trunk beech tree on the right and find a (legal) opening in the fence. Take this opening and you will immediately come to a crossroads with a path.
(8) Continue straight ahead on the marked path. At the successive crossroads, always go straight ahead. Cross a thinned pine forest (plot no. 221) and then find a denser forest. Climb gently to a crossroads (signpost).
(9) Take the second path on the left (the first is not shown on the 1:25,000 map) towards the Table du Grand Maître. Climb a steep slope to reach the summit of Butte Saint-Louis. Go around the fenced-off archaeological remains on the left. On the southern edge, note the beautiful panorama on the left. At the third corner (western edge x northern edge), turn left and descend. After about 50 metres, look for a trailhead on the right (young oak tree with two trunks).
No markings
Then turn sharply right and continue downhill. Continue along a wider, flat path until you reach a T-junction. Follow the path on the right for about 300 metres.
Blue markings
(10) At the junction, find a marked trail and follow it to the left. At the next junction, continue straight ahead. At a fork, turn left. Then wind your way between a few rocks and reach a trail junction (elevation 100). Turn left towards Rocher de la Pierre Margot. Descend and arrive at Carrefour des Ventes Bouchard (benches).
Red and white markings
(11) Take the third path on the left, Route des Ventes Bouchard. Cross a small tarmac road (no traffic other than ONF vehicles). Continue straight ahead for about 750 m. Then turn right onto Route de la Perlure.
(12) Cross the D138 (with caution, as it is a busy road) and continue straight ahead between garden fences. At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead onto Chemin des Coureurs. At the end, turn left twice and follow Rue Pasteur. After about 150 m, turn right onto the narrow Rue de la Paix. Cross Place de la Gare and you will arrive at the station (E).
To return home:
- Transilien - Line R, towards Melun and Paris-Lyon (direct access) or Montereau or Montargis (take the underground passage).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
