The Étang d’Or in the Rambouillet Forest

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A walk through the Rambouillet Forest to discover the Étang d’Or, which you’ll come across at a bend in a forest track, and walk all the way round it. This pond is aptly named, as it is so beautiful and peaceful: the perfect setting for daydreaming. You can spot coots, mallards and grey herons. This walk mainly follows theGR®1, marked with red and white signs.

Details

n°20426853
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 49 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 49 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 558 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 509 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Rambouillet (78120|78125)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.644907° / E 1.858187°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2215OT, 2215OTR, M2215OT
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Photos

The Étang d’Or

Description of the walk

Head to Rambouillet and park on Rue Félix Lorin.

(S/E) Continue south-west along this street until you reach Rue du Poteau des Trois Seigneurs.

(1) Turn left onto this street, taking care to watch out for traffic. Pass Rue du Haras and you’ll immediately reach the bridge over the Drouette. Look for theGR®1junction.

(2) Turn right onto theGR®, follow the Drouette river, and you’ll reach the Petit Gril junction.

(3) Cross the Route du Petit Gril to continue on theGR®, walk alongside a pond to reach the bridge on the Route des Éveuses.

(4) Turn right and, just after the bridge, veer left to rejoin theGR®1and follow its signposting. Continue along the edge of the pond. At the far end of the pond, theGR®1performs a circular loop back towards the pond. At the junction, turn left onto Rue du Château d’Eau. You will then reach a multi-way junction where there is also a car park.

(5) Turn left and continue along the tarmac track beside the pond. You’ll reach the junction with the Route des Éveuses.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, following the same route as on the way out. Follow this path all the way back to the car park on Rue Félix Lorin (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 558 ft - Car park on Rue Félix Lorin
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 551 ft - Rue du Poteau des Trois Seigneurs
  3. 2 : mi 0.27 - alt. 528 ft - GR1 - Drouette (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 0.93 - alt. 512 ft - Petit Gril crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 1.26 - alt. 515 ft - Route des Éveuses - Étang d'Or
  6. 5 : mi 2.21 - alt. 515 ft - Carrefour car park
  7. S/E : mi 3.96 - alt. 558 ft - Car park on Rue Félix Lorin

Notes

There are no shelters on this route. Wear walking shoes, as theGR®1can be muddy in places when it rains.
There may be a water point at the Huttopia Rambouillet campsite when it is open. Otherwise, there are none along the route.
Between (5) and (4), there are two picnic areas available opposite the Huttopia Rambouillet campsite, by the lake.

Worth a visit

Between (2) and (3): the River Drouette, the Étang d’Or, the wildlife and the forest with its various tree species.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

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Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
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Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The Golden Pond offers beautiful views with autumn colours. The walk around the pond is worth the effort, but the path leading to the pond along the racecourse is not very interesting and is a bit muddy.

Machine-translated

User 26848592

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike for the whole family
The start of the hike is not easy to find

Machine-translated

Claude2b
Claude2b

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk through the woods and around the pond.

Machine-translated

Fred 78
Fred 78

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Warning: the path is currently flooded – you’ll often find yourself wading through water

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.