From Fontainebleau-Forêt to Fontainebleau-Avon via the Rocher Saint-Germain

Starting point and access: Fontainebleau-Forêt station.
- Transilien - Line R, on the section between Paris-Lyon and Montargis (the stop is located between Bois-le-Roi and Fontainebleau-Avon stations).
N.B. Services to the forest stop are limited (see further details in the practical information section):
~ It is not served on weekdays.
~ It is only served on the Paris to Montargis route. Passengers alight at the front of the train, on the gravel platform which serves as a 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 branching off to the right. After about 250 m, 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 on.

(1) Cross the D116 with care and continue straight ahead on path no. 15 towards the Carrefour des Écouettes. At the next junction, continue straight ahead. At the end of the path, cross the D138 with care. On the other side, go through a forest gate and walk about fifteen metres along a wide track (Route de la Plaine de Bois-le-Roi).

(2) Immediately turn left to follow the signposted path as it winds through the woodland. Cross the Route de l'Hexagone and continue straight ahead along the path. Return to the Route de la Plaine de Bois-le-Roi, cross it and continue along the winding path. Then cross three paths running perpendicular to the signposted path.

(3) Cross the Route de l'Hexagone once more and continue straight ahead along the marked path. Wind your way through the woodland, cross a path running perpendicular to the trail and emerge onto the Route Eugénie. Cross this track and go through an opening in a fence to continue along the marked path. Further on, go through another opening in a fence leading onto a track and first turn left then right to continue along a path.

(4) Cross a path (Route du Mont Saint-Germain) and, once again, go through an opening in a fence. Follow the marked trail which winds through relatively dense vegetation where ferns are abundant. Ignore a path coming from the right (not shown on the map) and pass beneath a large oak marked with a Blue Circle. Note a large three-trunked beech on the right and find another gap in the fence. Go through this gap and you will immediately come to a junction with a path.

Unmarked

(5) Follow this path to the left (Route du Cerf) and go straight on until you reach the D606. Cross this road carefully and continue along the path opposite. At a crossroads, take the second left, a path that goes uphill.

Blue markings

Ignore a path coming from the right and continue climbing, with a few steps intersecting the path.

(6) Shortly afterwards, turn sharply right and follow a path along the hillside. Pass the base of a large gnarled pine tree, descend briefly then climb slightly. Continue on roughly level ground to a junction (plot no. 222; signpost).

(7) Then turn left and follow connecting path no. 12-4 towards Rocher Saint-Germain and the Grotte des Cristaux. Immediately, cross a track, then ignore a path branching off to the left and continue along the marked path. Walk along a sort of ridge and note the first rocks at the edge of the path.

(8) Cross the Route du Rocher Saint-Germain, continue along the path opposite and immediately ignore a turn-off to the right. After about fifty metres, turn right and head for a clearly visible signpost.

Blue markings + blue capital letters on some rocks (see recommendations in the practical information)
Throughout this section until the markings change, the path winds its way between the rocks and it is impossible to describe all the twists and turns of the route. Only the key landmarks are mentioned. Follow the markings closely, as they are frequent.

(9) Follow path no. 4 to the right towards the Grotte des Cristaux. Wind your way for a long time between the rocks and pass rock Z.

(10) At a junction, turn right. At a three-way junction, go left and, at the next three-way junction immediately after, go right. Climb a flight of steps. At the top, first turn right then left and descend.

(11) At a junction, turn left and walk along the right-hand side of the Grotte des Cristaux (fenced off). Continue along the path and ignore a path branching off to the right. At a three-way junction, turn right and, at the next three-way junction immediately after, turn left. Follow the marked path as it winds and note a few notable rocks marked with a star. Squeeze between the rock faces of L. Continue along the marked path.

(12) At a junction, turn left, cross the Route de l'Haüy and continue along the marked path. Wind your way around tall boulders and arrive at a rock on which a Virgin and Child has been painted.

(13) Then turn left and then right. Pass under Rock Q (a long passage where you must bend down low). Cross a few perpendicular paths and pass at the foot of boulders. Further on, the path is flanked by low fences. You will reach a junction with a signpost.

(14) Turn right (south-east), follow a large clearing on your right and join connecting path no. 4-3 (signpost). You’ll come out onto a wide track; follow it to the left. Pass through a forest gate and turn left, leaving a car park on your right. Just before another car park, turn right onto a narrow path.

(15) Cross a road carefully in two stages and continue along the path opposite. After a right-hand bend, cross a track and climb up the marked path. At a fork, turn right. Pass at the foot of rock C. Pass under rock D then under rock E. Go round rock F on the left then rock G on the right.

(16) Cross Route Eugénie and continue along path no. 4-3. Climb up and pass at the foot of rocks I and then J. Continue on roughly level ground, leaving rock K on the right and turning left. Weave between the faces of rock L, then follow rock M on your right. Cross a path and climb up to a rocky outcrop offering a fine view of the Hippodrome de la Solle (located to the right, west-south-west).

Yellow markings (rare)

(17) Then turn left (leave the Blue trail descending to the right). You will immediately come out onto a wide path; follow it to the left. Ignore a fork on the left and stay on the main path until you reach the Rocher Cassepot viewpoint (Rock F).

(18) Retrace your steps and, at the fork that appears immediately, take the left-hand path (blue marker). Shortly afterwards, at a crossroads, take the second path on the left, which is flat (ignore the blue arrow pointing to the right). Enjoy a pleasant walk along the edge of the plateau. Pass an engraved rock commemorating the frosts of the winter of 1879–1880. Descend gently to the Carrefour Constantin.

(19) Then head south-west, taking the third path on the right, which from a distance may appear to be the second (the actual second is a very inconspicuous Blue trail). Climb gently and make a hairpin bend to the left. Ignore a path coming from the left, turn right onto the main path and continue on level ground.

(20) You’ll reach a tarmac road; follow it to the left. Cross the D116, then follow the Route de la Butte à Guay opposite (hiking signs) to reach the junction of the same name (central cedar tree). Turn right onto the Route du Calvaire. Ignore the first path on the left and continue for about a hundred metres to the next junction.

No signposting

(21) Take the second path on the left, the Route Lorenz (not signposted here). At a three-way junction, turn left and you will immediately reach a crossroads.

Blue markings

(22) Follow path no. 2 to the right and walk along the edge of the plateau. Pass three fountains in succession: the Touring Club de France, Désirée and Dorly. Cross a path and continue along the signposted trail.

(23) Just before a railing on the left, go down a flight of steps on the left to reach the Fontaine Isabelle. Then turn left. Shortly afterwards, climb a flight of steps to walk alongside the Roche Éponge, whose shape is evocative. Descend another flight of steps, note (on the right-hand side) a plaque in tribute to Denecourt and continue along the path. Ignore a turn-off to the right and pass rocks I and then J.

(24) At a junction (signpost), continue straight on towards the station, leaving Rock K on your right. When you reach a plaque in honour of Foucher de Carell (on the left), turn right. You will immediately come out onto a tarmac road; follow it to the left and arrive at a small car park.

(25) In the middle of the car park, turn right and go down a path with steps. Cross the tarmac road then a track (reservoir on the left) and follow the path down a gentle slope. At a fork (not shown on the map), turn left.

No signposting

Cross a small road then Avenue Franklin Roosevelt (D210). On the other side, go down a flight of steps leading off to the left. Cross a car park and you will very quickly reach Fontainebleau-Avon station (E).

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

Access by train:
For the outward journey – The Fontainebleau-Forêt station is only served on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Only the 08:16 and 09:16 trains departing from Gare de Lyon towards Montargis stop at this station. Given the limited length of the platform for alighting, board at the front of the train. For further information, see the R line page.
For the return journey – Check train timetables on the Transilien website.

Hiking boots are required. Given the winding nature of certain sections, the elevation gain is likely underestimated: expect around 250 m.

No water points identified along the route. Bar-restaurant near Fontainebleau-Avon station (E).

A 1:25,000 map is required (at the very least the one accompanying this description) or a route to follow using the Visorando app.

Recommendations regarding the blue-marked trails:
- The Denecourt-Colinet trails, marked in blue, mostly follow paths that wind their way through the rocks. It is impossible to describe the numerous changes of direction, and the description provides only the most important landmarks.
- Consequently, follow the markings closely, as they are frequent and well-maintained (thanks to the trail markers!). If you haven’t seen a marker for a while, don’t hesitate to retrace your steps until you find the markings again.
- Markers may be found 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 the ground, on exposed rocks.

Hike undertaken by the author on 22 March 2026.

- Pleasant forest trails.
- Beautiful views.
- Rocky scree slopes and remarkable boulders.
- Fountains.