Circular route through the Gorges de la Canche and the Glenne Forest

Park in the large car park at the eastern exit of Roussillon-en-Morvan, past the church and the town hall when coming from the D277.

(S/E) Head back towards the centre, pass the town hall and the church, and continue to a junction marked by a ‘Stop’ sign.

(1) Turn left onto the road leading downhill (D277). After 250 metres, turn left. Pass through a hamlet, continue downhill on the tarmac road until you reach a sharp bend to the right. Then take the path on the left, which descends quite steeply and joins the D978.

(2) Caution: traffic may be fast-moving. Walk alongside the road on the left for about 30 metres, cross over and take the path leading down towards a stream. Follow this path for 250 metres, cross the Canche via a footbridge, and reach a lovely track.

Well-marked GR® signposting

Follow this track to the hydroelectric power station; further on, pass under the penstock. The track becomes a path and runs along the left bank.
Continue up the Canche valley along a somewhat challenging but well-signposted route. Cross to the right bank via a double footbridge, then climb slightly to reach a tarmac forest track.

End of GR® signposting, start of GRP® signposting

(3) Follow this track to the left for about 50 m, then take a forest path on the right. Follow this path for about 3 km. You’ll reach a crossroads marked ‘Croix des Trois Lieues’.

PR® signposting

(4) Carry on straight ahead. After 1 km, you’ll reach a tarmac forest track.

(5) Take this track straight ahead. Continue until you reach a large open area on the right, which serves as both a car park and a log-stacking area for foresters. (There is no designated picnic area, but the numerous logs can serve as makeshift benches; be careful not to climb on the stacks, though!)

(6) Continue along the track until you reach a crossroads marked by a wooden cross.

(7) Turn left. Pass the former Grandes Ventes Forestry House, then follow a long descent along the track running along the bottom of a valley until you reach the D978. Cross carefully and continue to the bridge over the Canche.

(8) After the bridge, take the path leading uphill to the right at the bend. The climb is steady, skirting a ridge before following the western slope of a thalweg. You’ll reach a crossroads.

(9) Turn right onto the path that climbs in a hairpin bend. In the hamlet of Les Barbeaux, take the^first left, then left again at the next junction. Leave the road after 200 m and take a good track on the left. The track descends gently through the woodland, crosses a stream, then climbs quite steeply between the pastures. You’ll come to a tarmac road passing in front of a beautiful, renovated house.

(10) Turn left. About 500 m further on, leave the tarmac and turn right onto a good track (an old Roman road).

(11) At the crossroads, take the track on the left. In the hamlet of Aigreveau, the track becomes a tarmac road. Walk through the hamlet and follow the road down to the D277.

(12) Follow the D277 for 150 m, then turn left (road closed to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes except authorised vehicles). At the junction almost at the top (recycling bin collection point), turn left. You’ll arrive at the village of Roussillon-en-Morvan, at the junction you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left towards the church, then head for the car park (S/E).

A fairly easy route, except for the section through the Gorges de la Canche, which can be tricky in wet weather or on wet ground: good walking shoes and walking poles are recommended. No shops.
Public toilets and a water point at the car park (S) (E)
Opportunity for an impromptu picnic at point (6)