From the port of Giffaumont to Étang la Dame and Étang Chevalier

From the port of Giffaumont, follow the lake shore through the forest, looping around the Étang Chevalier and the Queue du Der, then return via Braucourt Beach and the south basin dyke.

Details

389699
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 20 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 152 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 136 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park near the casino, at Port de Giffaumont.
Yellow and black markings.

(S/E) Walk past the shops and tourist office towards the suspension bridge. Continue to the right towards the port and boats.

(1) Turn right along the gendarmerie premises then continue straight ahead on the path leading to the beach. Continue to the right along the beach and enter the forest, following the path slightly to the right.

(2) Take the path on the right heading south-west and ignore all the paths on the right.

(3) Turn right onto the path that goes around a small pond and join a road that runs alongside the lake. Continue straight ahead to the car park and enter the forest. Turn right along the rowing basin and continue to the car park. Leave the access road to the car park on your right.

(4) After the barrier, enter the forest straight ahead and head north-east for about 800m.

(5) Take the path on the left, continuing straight ahead in a north-northeast direction. Ignore the two paths on the right and follow the markings for 1,200 metres to the next point.

(6) Turn left and cross the small bridge over the Étang Chevalier.
(Alternative route as the footbridge is broken and has not yet been repaired). Continue straight ahead for 300 m, then turn left and continue for 1,200 m (at 450 m, cross a fairly fast-flowing stream), then turn left and after 400 m rejoin the normal route.

(7) Turn right, then left into the Bois des Moines and continue straight ahead for about 1,200 metres.

(8) Turn left and continue along the lake for 350 m.

(9) Take the footbridge on the left, then the dyke and the small winding path.

(10) Turn right onto the wide path after the barrier and continue for about 800 m.

(11) Turn left onto path no. 51, indicated by a sign on the tree (ignore the cross markings on the tree, the path is fine).
(12) Turn right and then left to join the D153 road. Follow it straight ahead until you reach the end of the cycle path and the GR®14B and continue to the beach.

(13) Walk along the beach and take the small passage between the fences (reeds), passing in front of the sailing school boats, straight behind the campsite.

(14) Turn left onto the south basin dyke. Pass the gymnasium, the harbour and the boats and return to the crossroads you took on the way there.

(1) Walk past the shops and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 136 m - Car park near the casino
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 141 m - Gendarmerie
  3. 2 : km 1.91 - alt. 142 m - South-west facing trail
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 136 m - On the right, path skirting the small pond
  5. 4 : km 3.36 - alt. 140 m - Car park
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 143 m - Turn left along the lake
  7. 6 : km 5.95 - alt. 144 m - Continue straight ahead for the time being (footbridge closed).
  8. 7 : km 7.96 - alt. 140 m - Turn right then left.
  9. 8 : km 9.11 - alt. 143 m - Turn left along the lake
  10. 9 : km 9.41 - alt. 143 m - Footbridge on the left
  11. 10 : km 9.63 - alt. 141 m - On the right
  12. 11 : km 10.34 - alt. 151 m - On the left, mark 51 on the tree
  13. 12 : km 10.58 - alt. 147 m - Turn right until you reach the road
  14. 13 : km 12.26 - alt. 141 m - Beach
  15. 14 : km 12.87 - alt. 141 m - South basin dyke
  16. S/E : km 14.85 - alt. 136 m - Car park near the casino

Notes

Please note: footbridge between points 6 and 7 is closed, temporary detour + 1 km.

Toilets at the Tourist Office, next to the police station and near the gymnasium on the way back.
Good pair of shoes, walking stick, water, cereal bars.
Forest with various tree species, mainly oaks, firs, birches, beeches, etc.
Note the section managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral (signs).

Alternative route: at (3), turn right onto the tarmac road and rejoin the road leading to the car park (4).

Worth a visit

Lac du Der, beaches.
Visit Giffaumont, with its half-timbered houses.
Casino next to the port.

If you keep quiet, you may be able to see and photograph the birds on the lake and encounter animals in the forest.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
courjus52
courjus52

Hello,
The footbridge between points 6 and 7 has been in need of repair for six months. The Der Syndicate is in disarray, as it is everywhere else on the lake (potholes in the car parks, ageing observatories, rotten wooden benches and tables, etc.). I will report this incident again to the authorities in the hope that it will be fixed... next year To get through the woods, just go straight to point 6 and turn left after 500 metres, using the Visorando app or an IGN map.
As for the passage through the reeds, it is passable as it is used by the sailing school to get to the beach.
Best regards.

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ade.line.r
ade.line.r

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, but the footbridge between points 6 and 7 has collapsed and requires a detour through the woods (off the trail). It's doable but not signposted... There weren't many brambles today, but it's impossible to say if this will be the case throughout the season. Hiking boots were very welcome, especially for these rather slippery sections.

We also encountered a problem with the passage through the reeds at the end, which is very difficult to find (the passage between the green barriers is barely visible and covered by reeds). Don't be afraid to walk through low branches! And it doesn't look like a path at all, so you have to dare to venture a little.

And above all, don't forget to take some good mosquito repellent, as almost the entire hike takes place in the forest, and they are quite voracious! (Especially the day after rain)

In short, this is a hike for adventurers, given the changes that seem to have taken place since the hike was posted online, but it's still worth it because the areas are pretty and charming. But if you prefer simple, well-marked trails, keep going!

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50
50

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoyable walk between woods and lake.
We changed the route between numbers 10 and 12, staying on the path along the lake to reach number 12.
I think it's a shame we don't go all the way to the church.
An easy and pleasant walk. Also worth doing during the crane migration, which adds extra charm.

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Phane2toi
Phane2toi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy hike through the woods and along the lake.
A slight change at point 10, where we chose to stay on the path along the lake to rejoin the route after point 12.
We did the hike at midday, which allowed us to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, with the added bonus of a picnic by the lake in the company of birds.

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alain.demessine
alain.demessine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Could not find the markings in the harbour area once at the place called "the beach". Easy to follow the lake.
Inconsistency in the markings between points 3 and 4, which are indicated as not to be taken
A lovely walk, recommended during the migration period for cranes and other birds

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Les runnings
Les runnings

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, Overall, we weren't particularly impressed by this trail. It's mostly in the forest and doesn't come close to the lake often enough. Towards the end, stop by the church in Champaubert and the stele explaining the origin of the lake. It's not a big detour, it's interesting, it makes you want to learn more, and it's a beautiful viewpoint, especially in good weather. In any case, it's an easy hike with no difficulties.

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mikarando
mikarando
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good hike. The path is well marked, but it's a shame about the short stretch of road. Be careful at No. 13, where you have to squeeze between two fences. You can get through, but it feels like you're trespassing on private property.
Nature is everywhere.

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Martine67
Martine67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route with interesting views of the lake. The GPX track is very reliable; we didn't use the description.
However, avoid in rainy weather. There is a lot of mud on the trails.
Point 13 is not accessible; you have to stay on the road at the campsite and rejoin the trail that runs along the lake a little further on.
We were surrounded by mosquitoes throughout the forest section of the route, but that was due to the awful weather we had in July.

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mmechain
mmechain

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk.
My husband and I did the circuit on foot, starting at point 4. From point 14, we went to point 2 without going via point 1. It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes, setting off at 9am and taking the time to admire the scenery. At point 13, the path was impassable (too much vegetation). That was fine, we just walked along the road with the campsite on our left.
No mosquitoes or wasps...

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Edou3
Edou3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lots of mushrooms this autumn and two beautiful walks to the ponds

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pinguinfou
pinguinfou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good


beautiful walk around the lake

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mousse54
mousse54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A splendid walk through the woods along the lake.

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jmmaury
jmmaury

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike

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littlewolf
littlewolf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike under a beautiful autumn sun

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taicki
taicki
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

SUPER!! Even in rainy weather

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