The forest of Saint-Ouen-des-Alleux

A return trip from Saint-Ouen-des-Alleux to Saint-Christophe-de-Vilains through a lush forest, offering views of an old stone bridge spanning the Minette.

Details

873232
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 93 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 93 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 96 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 51 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at the sports hall at 12, Rue du Stade.

(S/E) Leave the car park via Rue du Stade. Walk alongside the football pitch and then the water treatment plant.
Take the path on the right, 50 metres after the access road to the treatment plant.
The path branches off to the left then to the right, heading due north before continuing north-east.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach the D20 departmental road.
Follow it to the left for 30 metres, then turn right towards Bois Lonfray. Before the hamlet, at the fork, continue to the left. Before the road turns left downhill, take the path on the left, which is not very visible at first. After 30 metres, both sides are lined with trees.

At the fork in the road, take the left-hand path, heading south-west. The path becomes a road at the hamlet of Rocher Colas. Reach the road and turn right. At a 90° bend to the right, follow the road to the left towards La Bélinaye. Continue straight ahead until the path meets another path.

(3) Turn right at the stele. After 200 metres, turn onto the path on the right. Initially heading west, it turns north and then north-east.

Continue to the left. Cross the stream on the two concrete slabs serving as a bridge and reach the road at a place called "La Bonhommière". Turn left, continue to the right to reach the D22 departmental road.

(5) Take the D22 to the left for about 50 metres and take the path on the right. After a descent that can be slippery, cross the stone bridge over the Minette and climb back up to the road.

(6) Take the path on the left that leads to Saint-Christophe-de-Valains.
In the village, turn left then right to admire the church square. The church can be visited if it is open.
Turn right onto the D297. At the Calvary, turn right towards La Servais and return to the crossroads after the descent.

(6) Take the path that continues along the road to cross the stone bridge over the Minette once again. Continue along the path on the right, which joins the D22. Turn left and continue for about 50 metres.

(5) Turn right when the road turns left. Reach La Bonhommière and take the path on the right. Cross the stream via the concrete slabs and head south.

At the fork, take the left-hand path. Pass the hamlet of La Croix Brisée on your right.
In the middle of the straight stretch, turn left onto the green path and return to the crossroads you passed on the way out.

Continue along the path on the left to reach the road, which you should follow to the right. When you reach the D20 departmental road, take it on the left for 20 metres, then follow the path on the right.

(1) At the fork in the road, take the left-hand path. Pass the water treatment plant on your right, as well as the football pitches. Walk along the gardens of the houses, then turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 75 m - Sports hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.93 - alt. 76 m - Outward journey = straight ahead / Return journey = left
  3. 2 : km 1.62 - alt. 95 m - Outward journey = left / Return journey = straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 2.46 - alt. 80 m - At the memorial stone, on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.2 - alt. 59 m - Outward journey = straight ahead / Return journey = left - Minette (rivière) - Affluent du Couesnon
  6. 5 : km 3.84 - alt. 60 m - Outward journey = left / Return journey = right
  7. 6 : km 4.37 - alt. 60 m - Outward journey = left / Return journey = straight ahead
  8. S/E : km 8.55 - alt. 75 m - Sports hall car park

Notes

Public toilets in Saint-Christophe-de-Valains.

Worth a visit

Château de la Bélinaye: private property, not open to visitors except during Heritage Days (if the owners agree).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
MISSPOMME
MISSPOMME

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely outing, don't miss the castle, which is superb.

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co35490
co35490

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant and well-marked route with varied scenery and a beautiful castle along the way.

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SERRANDP
SERRANDP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route with sunken paths. It's best to have a map as the signposting sometimes leaves something to be desired.
A wonderful discovery: the Château de la Belinaye. Highly recommended.

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Pierrick 35
Pierrick 35

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, best done in summer to make the most of the coolness and shade of the trees. The trail is very well maintained and allows you to discover the well-restored rural heritage. However, it is essential to take the description with you as the markings are sometimes missing. I recommend this route.

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Pascal RG
Pascal RG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Most of the trail is along a superb, clean, shaded sunken path! A very pleasant and easy walk, with some interesting heritage sites along the way...

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bonnant
bonnant

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike despite the rainy weather of the last few days, no major difficulties, two highlights: the ST Christophe De Valains bridge over the Minette river and the Château de la Bellinaie.

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