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Return to the starting point of the walk at the car park of the Étangs des Maffrais site on the D528, 2 km east of Saint-Sulpice-La-Forêt.
The exact starting point is on the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais, at the first entrance to the car park. The path heads west, between a pair ofGR®®/PR®® markers on an oak tree to its left and a sign reading ‘Départ Route N°4’ to its right.
Yellow markings throughout the route.
(S/E) Take the path which very quickly reaches the pond. Go round it on the left. You rejoin the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais. The path follows an ecological trail featuring 12 information panels on forest life. The pond’s embankment leads, after a short climb, to a crossroads with a signpost high up.
(1) At the signpost, follow the sign to the left: “Saint Sulpice la Forêt Route – Circular Route”. The path winds through a beautiful oak grove, taking you to the edge of the forest where a footbridge crosses a stream.
Turn right after the footbridge and follow the stream along the edge of the forest. Further on, after another footbridge, you’ll reach the Fontaine Saint-Raoul on the left-hand side of the path, beneath a grove of pine trees (cross).
(2) Turn right at the fountain heading south-west to reach the Saint-Sulpice Forest Road. Turn right onto this forest road. After 20 m, a path branching off to the left is marked by a signpost.
(3) Take the path on the left which runs alongside the edge of a forest section to reach a crossroads of paths on a wide track. First turn right then left for 5 m, pass a signpost for the footpath and continue westwards. The path reaches the edge of the forest and gradually turns south. The oak forest gives way to a pine forest. After a forest track, turn right to stay at the edge.
Pass a water point on the right to reach a T-junction at the end of forest section 63 and the start of section 64. (A post marks this junction, with yellow markings and other signs for other walks). Be sure to note this point and do not continue straight ahead.
(4) Turn left at the junction and cross the forest track ahead to continue straight on towards the south-east, joining the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais.
(5) On the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais, first turn right then left for 30 m to rejoin the path heading east. Follow its winding course to reach a junction with the Ligne Forestière du Grand Coin.
(6) At the junction of this forest track, turn left at a 90° angle, then 20 m further on, turn left at a 30° angle (MTB and GR® markings) to head north-northeast, following the broad route of the underground aqueduct (leaving the tarmac forest track). Stay on the aqueduct route, which gradually turns north-east. After about 2 km, the track crosses a stream via a bridge, then climbs again. After a 300 m climb, a junction of paths precedes the point where the aqueduct route joins the Ligne Forestière du Grand Coin (yellow markings + GR® + MTB on a pine tree).
(7) Turn left at a 90° angle at the crossroads to head back down towards the north-west and rejoin the Ligne Forestière des Maffrais. Then follow the forest track to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
