Green Forest in the Grand Canton area

A short walk to start (or finish) your meal in the Forêt Domaniale Verte, where the variety of trees means it’s lovely in autumn (a riot of colours and sunlight filtering through the canopy), but also in summer (shaded except between points (3) and (4)) and in winter and spring too, as it’s magnificent all year round.

Details

404926
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 25 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 164 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 139 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Houppeville (76770)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.49036° / E 1.10448°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1911ET, 2010SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

From the D1043 (ring road bypassing Bois Guillaume to the north), follow signs for Houppeville and park in the first car park on your left (Parking de la Bretèque).

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn left onto Chemin de Sainte-Anne.

(1) At the junction with the Grand Canton forest road, turn left (note: the barriers are no longer there). Cross the D121. Pass the first path on the right, then a second one on the left immediately after.

(2) Take the path on the left between forest plots 83 and 84 (green numbers on the tree trunks).

(3) At the end of the path, after a cleared area, turn left and go straight on. Just before reaching the D121, take one of the paths on the right that leads down into the woods and then back up on the other side.

(4) Cross the D121 and head down the path on the left which runs alongside it, then veers away to the right.

(5) At the junction (marked with a whistle) with the Chemin des Cinq Frères, take the path on the right and join the Chemin de Sainte-Anne. Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 164 m - Car park on the left on the D1043
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 158 m - Turn left at the junction
  3. 2 : km 2.17 - alt. 144 m - To the left between plots 83-84
  4. 3 : km 2.6 - alt. 142 m - Turn left at the end of the path
  5. 4 : km 3.55 - alt. 145 m - Cross the D121
  6. 5 : km 4.2 - alt. 152 m - Turn right at the T-junction
  7. S/E : km 4.6 - alt. 164 m - Car park on the left on the D1043

Notes

You don’t need walking boots for this walk. Be careful, however, as some sections can be a bit slippery in wet weather.

Worth a visit

The Forêt Domaniale Verte allows you to vary your routes as you wish with a topographic map.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
GOGO
GOGO

Good evening,
In my opinion, stating the name of the car park adds no value, as you’d already need to be in the area to find the sign. I’ll mention it anyway. As for the lack of mobile coverage, I’m surprised, but I’ll check it out on my next visit to the area.
Thank you in any case for your comments, as the aim of this site is to share information for the benefit of all.

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Minou75
Minou75

Hello,
Thank you for your prompt response. We hadn’t actually brought a map, as we didn’t realise there was no mobile signal in the forest... and as we were coming from the opposite direction to Bois Guillaume, we ended up driving round in circles...
I would therefore suggest you mention this lack of mobile coverage and specify the name of the car park (La Brétèque) as it is indicated by road signs.
Thank you in any case for your efforts in helping us discover some lovely walks!

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GOGO
GOGO

Hello Minou 75,
I’m happy to try and improve the description of the hike’s starting point, but what additional information would you need? I’ve provided the number of the access road, the direction to follow, and the location of the car park. You’ll need at least a map of the area to know where you are and where you’re going, if you don’t have a satnav.
I’m happy to listen to your suggestions to try and improve the listing.
Kind regards

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Minou75
Minou75

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The description of how to get to the walk is too vague for those unfamiliar with the area. Improvements are needed in this regard.

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GS040354
GS040354

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, pleasant run to get back into the swing of things.

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Léa&woody
Léa&woody

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very large, shaded car park. The route is mainly through woodland, but be careful as you have to cross a busy road twice! Clear instructions. I completed the circular route in under an hour at a normal walking pace.

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nalili
nalili

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The walk is described very clearly. The route marked on the map is very reliable.
The forest is beautiful and there are plenty of different routes to choose from.
Parking is easy and, even when it’s busy, you hardly come across anyone along the way.

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