Grimbosq Forest, starting from La Petite Bichotte

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A pleasant and enjoyable stroll through the Grimbosq communal forest, owned by the city of Caen.

Details

n°4195100
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.52 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 272 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 279 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 420 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 167 ft
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Photos

Grimbosq Forest Information Centre
The deer in the Grimbosq Forest wildlife park
The wild boars of the Grimbosq Forest wildlife park
Path leading up to the wildlife park

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the Petite Bichotte car park in Saint-Laurent-de-Condel.

(S/E) From the car park, with your back to the village (i.e. facing the forest), follow the road to the end of the car park. Turn left, then at the second left-hand bend, turn right onto the path that runs alongside the wildlife park on the right.

(1) At the Carrefour des Granges, continue straight ahead along the Route du Chêne Guillot for about 2 km. At the Chêne Guillot car park, cross the D257 with care and follow the path opposite.

(2) At the junction, turn left to head down towards the Ruisseau de la Grande Vallée. Follow the path, cross the Ruisseau de la Grande Vallée and the Ruisseau de la Petite Vallée, then follow the latter on your left.

(3) At the junction, turn left, follow the path and cross the Ruisseau de la Petite Vallée again. Turn right at the next junction and continue to the road.

(4) Cross the D257 with care and take the path opposite. Follow the Route de la Flague for about 2 km until you reach theGR®36(7thjunction).

(5) Turn left, follow theGR®36towards the Mare aux Canards. Near the pond, turn left towards La Bichotte, leaving theGR®36. Walk alongside the pond, go round it on the left, then cross the Ruisseau de la Grande Vallée.

(6) At the junction, turn right then immediately right again (you will rejoin theGR®36for a few metres) to head up towards the wildlife park, which you should walk along on the right-hand side. Walk past the wild boar enclosure and then the deer enclosure. Turn left to continue following the wildlife park. At the end of the enclosure, you will see the information centre. Turn right and you will arrive at the Petite Bichotte car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 417 ft - La Petite Bichotte car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.33 - alt. 390 ft - Carrefour des Granges
  3. 2 : mi 1.23 - alt. 236 ft - Landmark 2
  4. 3 : mi 1.59 - alt. 233 ft - Landmark 3
  5. 4 : mi 1.76 - alt. 262 ft - D257
  6. 5 : mi 2.53 - alt. 410 ft - GR36
  7. 6 : mi 2.95 - alt. 325 ft - Landmark 6
  8. S/E : mi 3.52 - alt. 417 ft - La Petite Bichotte car park

Worth a visit

The Grimbosq Forest

Covering an area of 475 hectares, the Grimbosq Forest is the region’s “green lung”. Acquired in 1972 by the city of Caen, its purpose is to welcome city dwellers without compromising its role as an educational forest. Things to see: the wildlife park (covering 8.5 hectares, where you can see wild boars, stags, does and fallow deer), the arboretums, the botanical trail, walking, mountain biking and cycling routes, as well as a small cemetery for small pets.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
nounours60
nounours60

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The markings were faded or damaged. Thanks to a minor mistake, we ended up at the feudal ruins – and all the better for it.
We retraced our steps and resumed the route. A pleasant walk.

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Jean-Paul BUTEAU
Jean-Paul BUTEAU

Hello Zako,
I agree with your analysis and thank you for sharing your experience.

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zako14
zako14
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We chose this route because of the heat (around 40°C), to stay cool. Apart from that, it isn’t particularly interesting – it’s flat with wide paths – but that’s just how this whole section of Grimboscq Forest is.
Otherwise, it allowed us to walk without being under the blazing sun.
Thanks for this route

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Jean-Paul BUTEAU
Jean-Paul BUTEAU

Hello Pmahieux,

The Grimbosq Forest is indeed criss-crossed by two long, straight paths running alongside the Grande Vallée stream on either side, and there is no denying that this makes walking through it feel a bit monotonous. However, as you have experienced, the Grimbosq Forest lends itself very well to exploring alternative routes, which walkers can follow as they please.

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pmahieux@aliceadsl.fr
pmahieux@aliceadsl.fr

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant forest with beautiful trees, but we found the route rather monotonous, consisting mainly of two long straight stretches.
We extended the route from point 2 to the feudal ruins, then descended (quite steeply) towards the stream in the Great Valley and rejoined the GR36 route just before point 3

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Jean-Paul BUTEAU
Jean-Paul BUTEAU
• Edited:

Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
I understand your expectations, but not all walks are necessarily signposted.

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Lau roule
Lau roule

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant 2-hour walk through the forest.
We altered the route slightly by heading to the feudal ruins (Olivet motte) then descending towards the GR 36 via a well-marked but steep path, and climbing back up to the Route de la Flague via a path marked for cyclists. Given the weather, some of the paths were very muddy, so you’ll need to wear good walking shoes.

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rando14
rando14

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A good route and a lovely walk, but it’s a shame the signposts aren’t properly maintained...

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