From the Loire to Les Roches

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The settlement of Gennes dates back to the Neolithic period (4500 BC). Menhirs and dolmens, inherited from this distant era, stand proudly before the eyes of walkers. Its Gallo-Roman amphitheatre has also stood the test of time, offering a real journey through history. The Étang and the Forest of Joreau are a nature reserve and have been classified as a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest (Z.N.I.E.F.F.) since 1992.

Details

n°945177
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 53 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 57 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 93 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 34 m
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Photos

Joreau Lake

Description of the walk

Start: Gennes-Val-de-Loire (Étang de Joreau) - Markings: Blue - Suitable for mountain bikes/hybrid bikes:

(S/E) Take the path on your right, pass in front of the lake and continue to the intersection.

(1) Turn right, then left at the hairpin bend and continue straight ahead to the three-way junction.

(2) Turn onto the leftmost path and continue straight ahead until you reach the end. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Continue straight ahead until you reach the road.

(3) Turn left, then right, pass in front of the cave and continue to the intersection.

(4) Turn right, then left and left again, continue until you reach the road, passing under the power lines.

(5) Turn right at the road, then take the first path on your left. Follow it to the crossroads.

(6) Take the path in front of you (the one furthest to the left) and continue until you reach the D213.

(7) Turn left, then right and continue until you reach the hairpin bend.

(8) Take the path that veers slightly to the left, then turn right, then left and immediately right.

(9) Turn right, then immediately left and continue straight ahead until you reach the second intersection.

(10) Turn right, then left and follow the road that veers slightly to the right and continue until you reach Chemin de Saumur.

(11) Turn left, then immediately right and continue to the fork.

(12) Turn right and continue to the intersection.

(13) Turn left, then right and continue straight ahead. Cross the road and continue straight ahead.

(14) Turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 64 m - Joreau Lake
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 65 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 0.77 - alt. 70 m - Path on the left at the three-way junction
  4. 3 : km 3.44 - alt. 91 m - Road on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.79 - alt. 72 m - Les Bottereaux
  6. 5 : km 4.53 - alt. 87 m - Turn right
  7. 6 : km 6.61 - alt. 84 m - Path opposite (the one furthest to the left)
  8. 7 : km 7.64 - alt. 78 m - Junction D213
  9. 8 : km 8.4 - alt. 81 m - Path on the left
  10. 9 : km 8.94 - alt. 83 m - Path on the right
  11. 10 : km 9.79 - alt. 79 m - Path on the right
  12. 11 : km 10.54 - alt. 73 m - Chemin de Saumur
  13. 12 : km 11.57 - alt. 68 m - Path on the right
  14. 13 : km 12.84 - alt. 68 m - Path on the left
  15. 14 : km 13.89 - alt. 62 m - La Croix de Joreau
  16. S/E : km 14.28 - alt. 64 m - Joreau Lake

Notes

Worth a visit

Along the route
- The Joreau lake and woods, classified as a "regional nature reserve"
- The diversity of natural environments: moors, pine forests, deciduous coppices and oak forests
- Birdwatching on the lake (coots, swans) and animal tracks in the forest.

Nearby
- Saint-Vétérin Church, the Gallo-Roman heritage of the commune of Gennes
- The Sarré Mill
- The priory of Cunault and the heritage of the commune of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Michel/Mireille
Michel/Mireille

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike at this time of year...
Very well signposted in blue...
It's a shame that halfway along, it says: "take the first path on the right and then it's on the left"!

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bonus49
bonus49

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, mostly through forest.

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amostini
amostini

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The Joreau pond is very pleasant, with picnic tables. The section towards Les Roches is monotonous and impossible to shorten (private hunting ground). Between 11 and 13, the path that winds through mountain bike trails is very pleasant, but we were disappointed not to see the Loire or the castles. The description mentioned menhirs, dolmens and a Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, but we saw nothing of the sort.

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sergio49
sergio49

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Avoid during periods of rain, as the path may be muddy and flooded in places.

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HayronJS
HayronJS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike! Animal tracks, paths through the heart of the forest! In the height of summer, some sections can be tricky (especially the ferns).

I highly recommend it.

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Yolaineh49
Yolaineh49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied, fairly easy (low elevation gain) and pleasant hike on this hot day, as it is shaded.

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jean Maillet
jean Maillet

Hello everyone,

I haven't done this hike yet, but as soon as I do, I'll be sure to let you know what I think.

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