Étang de la Chaume

Start from the Étang de la Chaume car park, at the information board.

(S/E) Go through the hedges and cross the field towards the road. Come out onto the road at a small car park, just before the bridge. Cross the bridge and continue along the road until you reach the start of the path on the south bank.

(1) Take the wide path on the left that runs alongside the pond and leads to a fishing area: please respect the area. The path continues to a headland and then turns south. Further on, it joins a car park and a track which you follow up to the road.

(2) Follow the road to the left. Then take the track that starts on the left. Follow this track straight ahead, which becomes a wide path and gradually approaches the Bois Cornu

(3) At a three-way junction, take the path that climbs to the right, bordered by a hedge of holly. Further on, you will come out onto a farm track, which joins a wide track further on. Go down this track on the left, ignore the path that turns off to the right and continue to a crossroads.

(4) Take the path on the left that leads into the woods. Walk for a while through the Bois Cornu before reaching a signpost that points to the right onto a path below, off the main path. Follow this path, which is sometimes damp, until it comes out into a copse colonised by ferns. The path bends to the right and joins a track.

(5) Continue along this straight track until you reach a junction. Turn left and follow the track to its end, where you will come to a road and a stream.

(6) Cross the bridge and go up the road on the left , taking care as visibility is poor. Then turn left onto a wide track and follow it until you reach a road. Continue straight ahead on this road, ignoring a first intersection on the right (not shown on the map) and join a second intersection with a road signposted "Mur des Brosses" on the left.

(7) Follow this road to the left until you reach the edge of a wood. Enter the wood via the path indicated on the right. A little further on, follow a fence and then turn left to follow a patch of conifers. Finally, climb a slope with a few bends over a scree of rocks half covered by humus and vegetation. Go around the top of this rocky mess: you can also try to climb it by scrambling over the boulders as best you can. The route descends to the right and returns directly to the road, just before a farmhouse.

(8) Follow the road to the right and pass in front of the Poney Fringuant goat farm: please keep your dogs on a leash. The road ends and continues along a path through the woods, then the route leaves the main path and joins a track at the edge of a field: please follow the instructions posted and do not feed the animals. Follow the track down to the banks of the pond and pass a chicane.

(9) Turn right and continue along the bank, trying to remain discreet so as not to disturb the wildlife. A series of footbridges allows you to cross a wetland area and the Ruisseau des Brosses, a tributary of the pond, without getting your feet wet. A little further on, the path approaches and crosses the large footbridge, which offers a new view of the pond. Once back on solid ground, pass another chicane and continue along the wide path that leads to a new fishing area.

(10) Continue past the observatory and the fishing reserve (small pond on the right) until you return to the car park at the starting point (S/E).

The start of the trail is marked by an information board.
In general, this trail is not recommended for dogs, as there are many fishermen and the trail crosses private land bordering pastures. If you do bring your dog, please keep it on a leash and do not let it wander.
Towards the end of the lake, between (9) and (10), please be discreet to preserve the peace and quiet of the area.
There are no major difficulties, but there is a slight climb at the Mur des Brosses a little before (8). This can be avoided by taking the road.
The Bois Cornu circuit intersects with this hiking guide in the woods: follow the signs carefully.
The path lined with a fence, as well as along the north bank of the pond, is private: please take care not to leave any rubbish here, more so than elsewhere.
If possible, bring a smartphone to benefit from the audio guide (available from spring 2025).

Among the landowners who have authorised access to their land are two local producers:
Les Volailles Drabléziennes at Moulin Plet and La Chèvrerie du Poney Fringuant at Mur des Brosses.

The Heidi's brasserie restaurant at the Étang de la Chaume is the perfect place to eat, quench your thirst or simply relax with a snack platter while enjoying the magnificent setting of the lake.

There is a lovely playground on the banks of the lake, close to the restaurant, for little ones who don't have the stamina to complete the entire circuit...