Forêt de Rennes: Juteauderies circular

A short hike in the Rennes forest along shady forest lines and paths through the forest alongside the Caleuvre stream. This easy trail is particularly beautiful in early spring, when the beech trees have young, light-green leaves, or in autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow and red.
It takes you along the old water supply line that brought water from the Minette (a tributary of the Couesnon) to Rennes.

Technical sheet

7226
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 21 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 26 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 78 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 52 m

Photos

Description of the walk

_ Start _: From Rennes, drive to Fouillard, preferably along the old Fougères road.
Almost on leaving the town, take a small road to the left to enter the forest, parking just
before the Carrefour de la Petite Lune traffic circle.

(S/E) Take the small path from the coach park, which leads almost immediately to the Route forestière des Ruisselets, cross the road and continue straight ahead. The path meanders through the forest, leading to a wide driveway corresponding to the water supply system.

(1) Take this path to the left. 530m further on, cross the Grand Coin forest line, continue for another 300m, almost to the edge of the forest, to meet the GR®39 (red and white markings).

(2) Turn right onto the GR®. The path zigzags through the forest, and it's not easy to follow the red and white signs. After approx. 1100m, the path leads to the Betton forest line. Turn right and walk 170m to find the GR® on the left. The entrance is often hidden by vegetation, and a mistake can lead you deep into the forest.

(3) Assuming you haven't made a mistake, take this GR® to the left. It meanders along a stream that is often dry, and after 400m reaches its confluence with La Caleuvre. This river, except in winter, is reduced to a trickle. Turn right, still on the GR®, which runs alongside La Caleuvre, following all its meanders.

(4) After 340m, the GR® crosses the Route Forestière des Juteauderies (it continues to the left of the bridge). 660m further on, it crosses the Ligne Forestière du Grand Coin. Continue straight ahead for 1100m. The GR® still zigzags through the forest, and after leaving La Caleuvre joins the water supply.

(5) Turn right onto the wide driveway which leads 400m further on to the Route Forestière des Ruisselets. Turn right and follow this road for 600m. After crossing La Caleuvre, the grassy path veers off to the right and runs alongside the overhead water pipe.

(6) After 600m, you reach the Route Forestière des Juteauderies, which you take on the left to return to the Carrefour de la Petite Lune, our starting point (S/E).

Enjoy your hike!

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 65 m - Carrefour de la Petite Lune
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 62 m - Take the alley on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.32 - alt. 69 m - Turn right onto the GR
  4. 3 : km 2.63 - alt. 54 m - take the GR on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.36 - alt. 55 m - Cross the Route Forestière des Juteauderies
  6. 5 : km 5.09 - alt. 78 m - To the right on a wide driveway
  7. 6 : km 7.03 - alt. 60 m - Left on the Route Forestière des Juteauderies
  8. S/E : km 7.43 - alt. 65 m - Carrefour de la Petite Lune

Practical information

_ Driving to Start _: From Rennes, drive to Fouillard, preferably along the old Fougères road.
Almost on leaving the town, take a small road to the left to enter the forest, parking just
before the Carrefour de la Petite Lune traffic circle.

_Terrain _: The forest trail can be very wet in winter.

_ Navigation _: the GR® tracks are not always easy to follow, as there are many side trails, so you need to be careful.

⚠️ Do not do this hike during hunting season unless you are sure there is no hunting season on that day (big game hunting).

In the nearby area

See the old water supply line, its siphon passage below La Caleuvre.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
PatNer35
PatNer35

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An easy walk, but with some muddy stretches at the start of a rainy July 2024!

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Z108
Z108

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pretty little loop in the forest, very relaxing for those who like trees and shade. As described, it should quickly become difficult when the ground is soggy.

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domivasseur2935
domivasseur2935

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice little hike, ideal for a Sunday afternoon. No change in altitude. No major difficulties, apart from the crossing of streams and rivers that are more or less wet, I imagine, especially after heavy rain. 100% forest trail, no dwellings: dense forest, clearings, two streams running alongside, deciduous trees and pines, a remnant of an aqueduct... A very varied route.
Please note that the starting point is signposted "Carrefour des Blanchets", not "Carrefour de la Petite lune", from the main road through Thorigné-Fouillard.
It took us 1 hour 45 minutes, walking at a very brisk pace (to keep warm ).

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Jim3760
Jim3760

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

CLEAR

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An'so
An'so

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Thank you for making these walks available free of charge.
It makes me want to do a lot more of them.

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deniaujclaude
deniaujclaude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We have extended this circuit to cover 19 km in the Rennes forest.

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ght
ght

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A classic walk in the forest just outside Rennes

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eeliviso
eeliviso

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I couldn't find the start (I didn't really look for it either, convinced that I'd soon fall back between points 1 and 2) so I got lost, my sense of direction not being the best. I caught up at point 4 and decided to start again in reverse (points 4, 3, 2, 1) as I already knew the part 4 to 6: no problem this time.
I can confirm that the route - in this rainy autumn in any case - isn't the driest: in some of the off-road sections that I did - and even in the marked sections - it could be a lot of mud or water...
But it's always nice to be in the forest.

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aurelie3570
aurelie3570

You must have got lost, there are no tarmac roads on this route...

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aurelie3570
aurelie3570

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Once you reach the Betton forest line, turn left onto the GR at 170m: be careful not to take the first path on the left, which is not the GR. And the start also leaves you a little confused before taking the right path. But a very nice hike to do when the weather is warm.

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gwaka
gwaka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A sunny winter's day meant that many parts of the walk were not in the mud!
Nevertheless, with good shoes, the route was very pleasant and varied.
The GR39 section was enchanting.
Do it again in the spring!

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Queycath
Queycath

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

the yellow markers for the different circuits criss-cross. It's hard to stay on the right track.

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bb et vivi
bb et vivi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent forest with a diversity of trees. We really enjoyed it. The path is relatively well signposted, except at the start where we hesitated.

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pharaon19
pharaon19

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 06, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely family walk in the forest in beautiful autumn colours.
Varied route with different tree species.

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AUTET
AUTET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

all shaded
point 80 can be reached without taking the mini loop on the left
there are 2 possible paths in the Betton forest line leading to the caleuvre stream.
Have a nice day

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