A circular route from Guerbigny to Marquivillers

Park in Guerbigny in the car park below the church, on the other side of Rue de la Chaussée.

(S/E) Walk up towards the church and turn right onto Rue de la Récréance. Then continue to the right along Rue du Larris. Shortly after the last house, this road becomes unpaved. You’ll come to a Y-junction.

(1) Take the path on the right, heading east, then gradually turn southwards, with the wet valley below on your right. Carry on straight ahead. Approach the river, then carry on straight ahead, cross the bridge over it and reach a fork in the path.

(2) Turn right. After about 100 m, cross a second branch of the river. Continue straight on towards the south. At the junction, carry on straight along the path that climbs towards the plain. After the first fields, skirt the Bois Pierrat on the left and continue straight across the plain. At an altitude of 95 m, you’ll reach a crossroads; carry on straight ahead, with the Tombelle plain on your right and the Chemin de Bracheuil plain on your left. About 800 m further on, turn left to join the tarmac road linking L’Échelle-Saint-Aurin in the north to Marquivillers in the south.

(3) Turn right onto this road, then follow the horse-riding track and carry on straight towards the village. At the wayside cross, turn right and continue for about fifty metres.

(4) Turn left, then immediately turn right onto the first dirt track. After 300 m, you’ll reach a Fork in the road. Take the track on the left for 100 m, running alongside the small triangular field.

(5) Turn right to continue skirting the field and head down towards the Bois de Laboissière valley along the public path. When you reach the far end of this field, continue along the path through the undergrowth until you reach the edge of a narrow field between two wooded areas.

(6) Continue along the path which first runs alongside this field, then crosses it, turning left. Once at the end, follow the path, back through the woodland, to the plain. You will then join the^GR® 123.

(7) Follow it to the right, passing through the hamlet known as Les Prés à Saules. Join the D68 and follow it to the left until you reach the D329.

(8) Turn right onto it, enter the village of Guerbigny and head for the church car park (S/E).

This route is not difficult, but you should dress appropriately to cope with the wind, which can blow strongly on the plateau in winter.
Similarly, in summer, when it is very hot, you should bring a hat and something to drink, as these are not available along the route.
During thaws, the paths are slippery. Wear suitable footwear and carry a walking stick.
A compass is useful.

The Church of Saint-Pierre in Guerbigny was built in the 13th century and remodelled in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was damaged during the fighting in the First World War and restored between the two world wars. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1919.