Circular loop through the Parc de la Higourdais via Le Brégain to Épiniac

Start from the Parc de la Higourdais car park on the D85 between Épiniac and Cuguen.

(S/E) From the southern end of the car park, head towards the bakery and take the path on the left to walk alongside the pond. Continue between the two bodies of water and take the path on the left to pass in front of the old mill. Head down to the right and turn left before the Ruisseau du Landal. Continue along the uphill path.

(1) At the top of the climb, take the path on the right. At the junction, follow the second path on the right and turn right onto the road for a few metres.

(2) Turn left towards Le Raingo. After 100 metres, take the path down to the right (see the ‘Practical Information’ section), heading right towards the Ruisseau de Landal.

(3) Follow the winding path to the left through the undergrowth. Walk alongside the stream, never right on the edge but slightly higher up. Go straight on at every junction.

(4) At the Raingo Spring, tucked away in the middle of the forest, turn back and head down to the left towards the stream.

(5) Cross it via a bridge, the ruins of an old mill. Take a path to the left and follow the stream. Reach the water treatment plant.

(6) Go round the plant on the right. Climb through the undergrowth to reach the plant’s high fence and follow it to the road.

(7) Follow it to the right. At the first junction, take the path opposite and at the second turn right onto the road. After 300 metres, take the grassy path on the left to the road.

(8) Turn right onto it, follow the PR® sign, cross the D285 (waymark on the left) and take the path, continuing straight on twice at the junctions then turning right twice at the next two to reach La Ville Folle. Then turn left to reach the top of Le Brégain and the orientation table. Beautiful view over the Guyoult basin and the Tertres de la Claye to the north.

(9) Head right along the road heading south. After about 600 metres, before the ruined house, take the path on the right. Continue along the PR® keeping to the right at the two junctions to reach the road.

(10) Cross it by turning left then right, and after 100 m turn left. Cross the D285, continue straight ahead and arrive at the hamlet of La Ville Hue. Turn right, then turn right onto a road and join another.

(11) Follow it to the left, passing Épinay, Le Chalet and La Chevillonais, until you reach another road.

(12) Follow it to the right towards La Touche aux Vaidis / La Ville Fouque. On leaving the hamlet of La Touche aux Vaidis, take the path on the right towards La Priouté / Le Rochelet.

(13) On reaching La Ville Fouque, turn right at the first junction and cross the hamlet, staying on the main road which becomes a stony track after the last house. Continue along this track, cross the Ruisseau de Landal and join the D85.

(14) Then turn right and head for the car park (S/E).

Take care at road crossings and exercise caution when walking alongside roads, even if traffic appears light.

Two difficult sections on this route:
- between (2) and (3), the path is poorly marked; follow the GPS directions.
- between (6) and (7), you need to climb through the undergrowth to reach the high fence of the station and follow it to the road.

Note: the distance of the route is underestimated. My GPS reads 15.5 km.

The Higourdais bakery: this is a small thatched cottage dating from the^19th and^20th centuries.

The Priory of Brégain: this is a former monastery, probably dating from the^11th century, situated south-east of the village of La Boussac. In 1122, it was attached to the Benedictine monks of Saint-Florent Abbey in Saumur. In the early^17th century, the Jesuits of the College of Rennes took possession of it at the instigation of Henry IV. Today, it is privately owned and not open to visitors.

Epiniac Church: bas-relief listed as a historic monument
The ‘Le Diable’ family, who lived at Château de la Higourdais, are said to have donated a bas-relief depicting the Death of the Virgin to the parish. It can be seen beneath the altar of the Blessed Virgin.

The so-called Coucou Cross
On the road towards Cuguen. A mission cross erected in 1884 during an evangelisation campaign, as was often the case. Missions took place every five years and usually culminated in the erection of a cross. There are 18 wayside crosses in the parish.

The wash house
Located on Rue des Douets des Roches near number 7 (douet means wash house in Gallo). A restored wash house with a beautiful roof structure and a roof designed to collect rainwater. A fine wooden pump stands by the nearby well.