Fontainebleau forest: Croix du Calvaire, Denecourt Tower and Sponge Rock

It is a short, relatively easy circuit exploring some curiosities of the forest of Fontainebleau around the Avon SNCF train station, namely the views over the Croix du Calvaire, the Sponge Rock, Denecourt Tower and fountains. One could also call it the fountain circuit.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 107 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 104 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 146 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 77 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The circuit follows the Denecourt-Colinet trail N°2 (blue markings).

SNCF train station - Croix du Calvaire = 1.5 km

At the train station’s square, first head towards the station buffet and then go up the road with the drop-off point 30 away to take the second staircase to access Avenue Franklin Roosevelt. Cross at the pedestrian crossing which is opposite the cafe “Le Terminus” and continue straight ahead. 15 metres further on, cross Rue de la Bonne Dame and take path N°2, which begins just to the right of the beginning of Route de la Reine Amélie. It climbs into the forest following the contours of the the old Avon pool. It cuts Route de la Reine Amélie 2 times in the rise at a sharp bend hairpin. This is also where cars are forced to stop because the forest road is blocked. Just after the dirt car park, the trail passes near a large rock on which has been affixed a Nemorosa medallion then continues as an “overhang”. 200 metres further on (1), veer to the left towards the Croix du Calvaire. Cross back over Route de la Reine Amélie back to first path in the middle of some pretty rocks and into the undergrowth to the viewpoint for Croix de Calvaire (2).

Croix du Calvaire – Denecourt Tower= 2.5 km

Leave the cross behind to follow the paved road for about ten metres and then, just after the bench, take the trail on the left. The route quickly leads close to a large rocky “shelter”, the Abri du Calvaire, although access is not permitted because it threatens to collapse. Then the path heads into a little rocky maze leading to the exit where you turn right to go up on the plateau at the lookout point over the Ravine. Another fork Stay on path N°2. It leaves towards the north - north-east to Denecourt Tower. As far as the junction with Route de la Butte à Gay, it is almost straight and flat as it follows Route du Calvaire which is the extension of the Route de la Reine Amélie. We cross the intersection (3) and the path starts to descend until it reaches the Jean Bart crossroads where we meet the eponymous road, also closed to cars. On the other side the path leads up to join the trail from the Cassepot Rock, and reaches the top of the hill through large blocks of sandstone. Head on to Denecourt Tower (4). Climb on up to get an interesting view over the Seine valley.

Denecourt Tower- Sponge Rock = 4 km

We leave the tour continuing on path N°2 towards the "fountains" (fontaines) and the railway station. The path first turns to the north among the rocks before turning westward down the hill to reach the crossroads of the Denecourt Tower (5). Here, the paved access road to the tower joins Route Jean Bart road, both of which are closed to traffic. Cross the intersection and follow the path that remains virtually flat for 600 m before climbing in 2 loops up the plateau edge. The trail winds along here for a time. From time to time, you might notice traces of ancient quarry works that operated on the sandstone (paving, small trenches, piles of stones, etc...). The first "fountain" that you will come across (6) is on your right, in the hollow of a rock (Fountain of the Touring Club of France). Less than 80 metres away is the “Desiree fountain" with benches and a table in sandstone installed in front of it. 400 metres further on, in the hollow of a small sandstone wall along which the trail runs, the Dorly Fountain can be accessed by a small staircase. The path then deviates from the shelf edge to cross Route Baudrillard. It runs through the middle of the ferns and reaches Isabelle fountain, the last of the hike. The path then turns left to reach a clearing where the Sponge Rock (7) is located.

Sponge Rock - SNCF train station = 1 km

From there, you reach the station still following the path N°2, which is close to the Queen Amelie road while settling back on the shelf edges. Finally, come to the outbound path (1) to reach the Croix du Calvaire. Then return to the rock with the Némorosa medallion and the descent to the train station by the old pool.

A good walk.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 78 m - Gare de Fontainebleau-Avon
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 136 m - To Croix du Calvaire
  3. 2 : km 1.49 - alt. 139 m - Follow the road - Croix du Calvaire (Fontainebleau)
  4. 3 : km 2.92 - alt. 139 m - Carrefour de la Butte à Gay
  5. 4 : km 3.94 - alt. 127 m - Tour Dénécourt
  6. 5 : km 4.43 - alt. 109 m - Carrefour de la Tour Denecourt
  7. 6 : km 5.52 - alt. 134 m - Touring Club de France fountain
  8. 7 : km 6.32 - alt. 137 m - Sponge Rock
  9. S/E : km 7.29 - alt. 77 m - Gare de Fontainebleau-Avon

Notes

A good walk.
Advice: Take the "Forest of Fontainebleau and the Three Gables" IGN map with you on the hike 1: 25000 There is also a "guide to walking trails in the forest of Fontainebleau” that covers all Denecourt-Colinet trails with blue markings and provides descriptions.

Worth a visit

During the hike:

  • Croix du Calvaire. This cross was raised in 1838 at the site of 3 crosses - hence the name Calvaire - which had been brought down several years earlier. Nice view of Avon and a part of Fontainebleau.
  • Denecourt tower. The first tower was built in 1851 but it collapsed and was later rebuilt. At the top, a viewfinder indicates an altitude of 130 m.
  • Fountains, which are the result of the runoff of surface water: Touring Club of France fountain, made in 1901 by Colinet; Desiree fountain, discovered in 1837 and completed by Denecourt in 1852. Dorly fountain, built by Denecourt in 1852; Isabelle fountain, built in 1866 by Denecourt.
  • Sponge Rock, discovered in 1866 by Denecourt: this curiosity has long been a goal for hikers, a watering hole that existed there until 1940.

Not on the hike itself: Visit the castle and take a walk in the park.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 63 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
farybole
farybole

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

My first walk in the Forest of Fontainebleau. I hadn't anticipated how difficult it would be and should have worn high-top shoes! The route is very good. I followed the blue markings that lead between the rocks (and even under them sometimes!).

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User 18199173

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk...

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autophobe92
autophobe92

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great introduction to discovering or rediscovering the Forest of Fontainebleau. Beautiful views, especially from the Denecourt Tower.

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FloAnais
FloAnais

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely walk, even in the rain!
the views are extensive and the woodland is magnificent and well maintained.

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Baptistefanj
Baptistefanj

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk to explore the Forest of Fontainebleau. Quite busy (we went on a Sunday when the weather was nice) but it's bearable.

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Oglipan
Oglipan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There were nine of us and everyone thoroughly enjoyed this simple, varied and beautiful tour. Thank you very much.

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inesquick
inesquick
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route, easy to follow as it is signposted all the way. Not very busy during the week.
Perfect if you're coming from the station. And the commentary is very detailed!

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Pat V
Pat V

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lack of precision on the way back. There are several blue routes and we don't know which one to follow. We got lost. We only found each other thanks to maps.

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Aerobar F
Aerobar F

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk if you take the route near the Calvaire car park. Bypassing the return trip to Avon station, the loop is around 6.5 km long and takes just under 2 hours.

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Grr
Grr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a real shame that the blue markings are often invisible, and the names of the paths are sometimes missing, but fortunately the roads are there.
The map is very useful and the route in your document is very detailed ;-)p

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Yodolo
Yodolo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and pleasant walk, perfect for those travelling by public transport (RER/transilien).

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hunza
hunza

Hello
As I'm travelling by train, I'm describing my route from the station. If you come by car, there are 2 ways of parking near the path.
The first is to follow the small forest road of Reine Amélie, which starts behind the hotel restaurant "Le Terminus", which is close to Fontainebleau Avon station. It is accessible to vehicles for around 800 m, as far as a car park close to a rock-climbing area, which the path crosses.
The second option is in the middle of the Fontainebleau forest: head towards the Croix d'Augas when you arrive from Fontainebleau, then continue for around 200 m and turn left onto a small forest road leading to the Butte à Guay. There is a car park and you can continue on foot along the tarmac road reserved for pedestrians as far as the Butte à Guay crossroads to pick up the path again.
Enjoy your walk

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sophie.pohesi
sophie.pohesi

The start of this walk is at Avon Fontainebleau station, but it's almost impossible to park in this area even on a Sunday! So I drove as close as possible to the Denecourt tower. Another starting point would be nice.

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HeleneLise
HeleneLise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk;-). As for the reliability of the route, I have to admit that I mainly followed route 2 and I also had the Visorando app on my phone, so it was very easy.
Part of the route is on the road, so it's not as pleasant, but the part in the forest is superb. It was very busy on a Sunday morning when the weather was fine. At several points, I just had to put up with a group of sports enthusiasts with the coach screaming all the time, and I tried to avoid them all along the route, to make sure I could relax and enjoy myself as much as possible.

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hunza
hunza

Thank you for your comment

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