History of iron

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

After 12 km, the road was closed and we had to take another route that was impossible to climb! A slope worthy of a climbing spot! The hike is not average but difficult, even very difficult, with closed roads and paths that are impossible to take because they are very muddy and flooded! I do not recommend it.

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Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is mainly through woodland, pleasant in summer, with a few steep sections towards the cave which can be difficult in wet weather, marker 7, and towards the mine, after marker 11 at Val de Fer, elevation 375. At marker 8, there is a large fallen tree in the hairpin bend that blocks the path; before the tree, turn right, heading south-west. In dry weather, it can be completed in less than 5 hours.

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Date of your route : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, mainly through forest, which is very pleasant in hot weather.
Use of GPS for tracking, no guidance issues.

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Date of your route : Jan 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello... We did the route in two stages, stopping off at Les Essards/Chaligny. It was a pleasant walk that gave us the chance to see the refurbished Val de Fer. Well done.
The description could be a little more precise in places. I know that many people rely on GPS, but sometimes a monument, for example, is just as effective a landmark and can be helpful.

As for the signposting, as mentioned, it is best not to rely on it too much, especially at this time of year when the ONF is busy cutting down trees and some passages are even closed off. It's fine on Sundays, but during the week you won't be able to get through

do it all in one go in good weather and when the paths are freely accessible.

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To MicDO: To be verified, but the last time I visited, the Carolou restaurant in Maron was closed.

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Date of your route : Mar 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I was caught by nightfall in the forest, so the end was rather rushed.
The whole thing was fairly well marked, once you knew which marked route to follow.
The two drawbacks I would mention are that the numbering of the forest plots has not been updated on the map, which can be a little confusing at first. In addition, it would be helpful to indicate which markers already installed for other routes should be followed for each part of the route.

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Club members can enlarge the scale of the IGN map.
Alternatively, you can also print a screenshot of certain portions of the map that you have enlarged on your computer.

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Date of your route : Jun 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Already difficult to follow in the forest, where GPS is essential for navigation, the route becomes impossible to follow in Chaligny; and like many others, I returned via the Neuves Maisons road...
Suggestions:
include ALL the forest section numbers and provide detailed directions for urban areas and/or add a highly magnified insert to the map!

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Good evening, csimon 5488,
I don't think it's up to you to decide whether to "remove" this hike from the Visorando website, as you so aptly put it. Hikers who have done this hike have enjoyed it so far, with the exception of the signage issues, which are not the responsibility of Visorando or the author.
First and foremost, we need to understand why you got lost. Instead, give us some ideas on how to improve the description.
I see that you registered on the site two days ago, so you are not used to following a hike with a description and a map of the route. Besides, what criticism do you have of the map route?
And the interest of the route; Unused, what does that mean?

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Date of your route : Jun 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable

Hello,
Zero points.
The explanations are unclear. Result: we were lost most of the time despite the help of other hikers.
We are obviously disappointed as we were unable to discover the sites along the hike apart from the mine.
It's a shame, and PLEASE REMOVE THIS HIKE FROM THE WEBSITE. THANK YOU

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Date of your route : Jan 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hike completed partially, in continuous rain, on muddy, waterlogged ground. Route shortened with the help of GPS. Overcast weather with mist. There were some beautiful views, which would be better appreciated in milder weather. Thank you, we will do the whole hike next time.

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Update of the description with insertion of waypoints and data provided in your comments

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Thank you, Rando268
Why do you mention the signposting when it is not mentioned in the description? At Visorando, we do not refer to signposting. Our strength lies in the description and the map.
In this case, it must be said that the description is outdated and could do with an update.
I'll keep it in mind and take care of this update soon, unless the author does so in the meantime.

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Date of your route : Mar 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The signposting in the forest is a little difficult to follow, but with the printed map and the plot numbers, you can find your way.
It's a bit noisy on arrival, as you approach the forest house (motorbike).

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Thank you

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