The Parly's Chestnut Grove

All along the route, you will discover centenaries trees, educational signs about the chestnut tree.

Details

210127
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 86 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 250 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 170 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Marked road n°85.
The hike's departure begins at the high parking lot of the multi-purpose hall of Parly.

(S/E) From this parking lot, where is the entrance of the multi-purpose hall, take the "chemin du Tacot" right in front of you, without taking the road on which you just come.
Keep going on 500 meters on the path, bordered by oaks, basswood and acacia trees. At the crossroads of 4 paths, go to the middle path. It leads on an asphalt road that you have to follow to the right. Cross the bridge that crosses the Tholon river.

(1) At the entrance of a curve, 50 meters before the house, turn right on your left on the forest path. Walk a sandy and uphill sunken path. Note the carpet of chestnut leaves and bugs.
At a moment, a barrier on the left prohibits passage on the path drawn on the map. Keep going on the unique sunken road available but not ported to the IGN edition.

(2) On the left, an embankment lined with ferns, on the right, a staircase of four long steps which allows you to admire the century-old chestnut trees (educational signs). Go back down the stairs and take the sunken path up again, then turn a little further to the left on the wide hiking path (the path on the right ends in a field).

(3) Arrive on a side road. On the left, an electrical transformer, opposite a sign indicating La Métairie Bruyère Center of Graphic Art (this place can be visited 250m on your left). Take the dirt road opposite your arrival. Continue to cross a crossroad again: make a left-right bayonet to take back a sunken path lined with chestnut leaves. Notice on the left a wart on a tree inside the wood, then a wooden chalet on the right. At a new educational sign, observe the large chestnut tree on the right. Resume the course of this hike and walk along the fence of a property.

(4) At the end of this fence, turn right at a hairpin and follow the path that goes down (educational sign 50 meters on the left). Continue and go down on a road at a place called Les Robinots.

(5) Take left et cross the place following the main street. At the sign indicating "rue de la Bréotte" (about 300 meters further), take, on the right, the hairpin path before the first house located on a mound. This path is bordered by meadows, on the right and on the left. Near a horned tadpole ash, a new educational sign facing a wonderful chestnut tree on your left.

Then, through a small wood, the path narrows, continue. At the crossroads with a large path, turn left. Magnificient chestnut trees gaze at you on the left (educational sign at the end of the embankment). Veer off left at the next crossroads, then continue towards houses of the place called le Petit Arran. Continue on the road until the Stop sign. Continue for about 80m meters.

(6) Turn right on Chemin des Ocriers. Leave the sewage treatment station on your right, cross a wood. In the slope, take the path on your left (right path not mentioned on the map). Cross a small river on a small bridge. The path goes up, arrive on a field bordered by a path. Take this path to the right, then enter a wooded area and follow a sunken path. In the distance, on the right, the pond takes shape. Continue and arrive at Parly, pond on the right, view of the church on the left (7).

On the road, go left to join the departure (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 195 m - Car park at the top of the multi-purpose hall
  2. 1 : km 1.56 - alt. 173 m - Leave the road for the path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.06 - alt. 204 m - Stairs and educational promontory
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 221 m - Straight down the path
  5. 4 : km 2.86 - alt. 250 m - Turning right
  6. 5 : km 3.3 - alt. 226 m - Left for 500m on this street
  7. 6 : km 4.67 - alt. 222 m - Turn right onto Chemin des Ocriers
  8. 7 : km 5.3 - alt. 194 m - Tholon (rivière)
  9. S/E : km 6.05 - alt. 195 m - Multi-purpose hall car park

Notes

These paths can be wet in places, we advise you to wear shoes suitable for hiking.
This course is marked in Green-Yellow with a small chestnut leaf. Be careful however, this markup is sometimes difficult to see, leave at least with this description and the map of the route.
Other markings (triangle attached to a circle in Yellow, Blue, Red versions) have been put in place, do not take them into account.

(7) Near the pond, you have a picnic place.
This marked trail following the markup charter of the Community of Communes of Puisaye-Forterre bears the number 87 inscribed on plates with a yellow background.
The markup was carried out by the association A chacun son chemin en Puisaye-Forterre in December 2021.
In case of trouble, thank you to fill the questionnary (it will take you 1 or 2 minutes).
Careful when you cross roads.
The fact that the markup is mentioned however requires that you leave at least with this description and its IGN map or the visorando app.

Worth a visit

(3) Make the detour and visit the Métairie Bruyère Center of Graphic Art. You will go back in time by visiting the old presses from the c. 19th. You will know everything about making an illustrated book and engraving posters.

Do not miss the visit of Parly's church, referenced on the loop of remarkable wall-painted churches (PM sign).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
martine villemin
martine villemin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Trip taken during the week! Not many people around... normal for November!

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User 21105313

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to enjoy with the family, as it is not particularly difficult!
Some of the chestnut trees are magnificent! And, at this time of year, we were able to enjoy the bounty of the forest! We're planning some lovely evenings around the fire, eating hot chestnuts!
To be done again and again!!!

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cornette
cornette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk. A gust of wind blows and chestnuts fall on you, and there are enough for everyone. The paths are very pleasant and very well marked. Thank you.

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Cathy13
Cathy13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in the forest, then through the fields. The walk is really easy, we had a great time!

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OT Puisaye-Forterre
OT Puisaye-Forterre

Hello Sébastien Talbot,

Thank you for your feedback.

We look forward to seeing you again on the roads of Puisaye-Forterre.

Best regards,

The team at the Puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office.

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julie dufau
julie dufau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walks. Very well signposted. The chestnut trees are majestic. We recommend it.

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JPB45
JPB45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike.
Best done in autumn for the chestnuts.
No signposting problems, easy to follow, shady and well-maintained trail.
At one point, leave the path to discover some remarkable old chestnut trees.

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OT Puisaye-Forterre
OT Puisaye-Forterre

Hello Sébastien Talbot,

Thank you for your feedback.

We've passed on your message to the organisation in charge of path maintenance.

We look forward to seeing you again on the trails of Puisaye-Forterre.

All the best,

The team at the Puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office.

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Talbot Sebastien
Talbot Sebastien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk except for the last part of the route (about the last kilometre).

1 tree lying across the path and very tall grass making it difficult to follow the path.

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Acscpf
Acscpf

Hello,
The damage reported has been repaired. The path is now passable again.

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OT Puisaye-Forterre
OT Puisaye-Forterre

Hello Sébastien Talbot,

Thank you for your message.

We've passed on your feedback to the organisation in charge of path maintenance.

We look forward to seeing you again on the trails of Puisaye-Forterre.

All the best,

The team at the Puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office.

Machine-translated

Talbot Sebastien
Talbot Sebastien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Very good walk, very pleasant
Note 1 broken branch at point 4 which blocks the path and the path which is barely visible between 6 and 7, after the small bridge.

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OT Puisaye-Forterre
OT Puisaye-Forterre

Hello PhieSoso,

Thank you for your feedback.

I look forward to seeing you again on the roads of Puisaye-Forterre.

Best regards,

The team at the Puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office

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PhieSoso
PhieSoso

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk among chestnut trees classified by the A.R.B.R.E.S. association.
The end of winter is ideal for appreciating the shape of these magnificent trees.

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Acscpf
Acscpf
• Edited:

Hello Ludal89,
Thank you for your positive and constructive feedback. We are contacting the local council to inform them of the damage to the shrubbery. The path will soon be fully marked out in accordance with the Charte intercommunale de balisage en Puisaye-Forterre.
To report any problems on the Puisaye-Forterre trails, click here.

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