La Pierre de l'Écuelle in Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine

Marked trail starting from Rue du Gaudu, which runs along the Moine river via the Pierre de l'Écuelle. This legendary rock is said to bear the engraved image of the devil's plate and knife...

Details

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Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 88 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 92 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 74 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 22 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near Rue du Gaudu in Saint-Crespin-sur-Moine.

Trail marked in yellow.

(S/E) Walk up Rue de Gaudu. At the stop sign, turn left and then left again onto Rue de Bretagne. Continue straight ahead, passing the cemetery and the Chapelle des Écluseaux.

(1) Turn left at Croix Couprie. Cross the vineyards, then turn left onto the path that descends towards the Moine.

(2) Ignore the path on the left, which will be the return route, and continue downhill.

(3) Walk along the Moine to the village of Fromont. Continue along the path that runs alongside the river to the next intersection, passing under a power line.

(4) At the crossroads, turn left and follow the Moine again towards Moulin Cassé. Continue straight ahead.

(5) On your right, you can climb the hill to reach the Pierre de l'Écuelle site. Then retrace your steps to rejoin the path and continue north-west until you reach a road.

(6) Turn left and follow the road for 50 metres. Then turn right and take the path that goes through the vineyards for about 1 km.

(7) Turn right, cross the vineyards and fields until you reach the village of La Chaloire.

(8) Cross the village, turn left at the exit and follow the path downhill.

(4) At the four-way intersection, turn left. Follow the path that runs alongside the Moine river, which you took on the way there.

(3) When you reach the disabled fishing spot, you have two options:
- Follow the path along the Moine, which will take you to the Bikini botanical garden.
- Or continue for 250 metres.

(2) Turn right and follow the steep path that will take you to the Bikini botanical garden (marked trail).

(9) Cross the botanical garden. Continue straight ahead on the path along the Moine river for 500 metres and turn left at the next intersection to return to the car park via Chemin de Gaudu (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 46 m - Rue du Gaudu
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 68 m - Croix Couprie
  3. 2 : km 2.11 - alt. 46 m - Common fork A/R
  4. 3 : km 2.34 - alt. 30 m - Bord de la Moine - La Moine
  5. 4 : km 4.18 - alt. 34 m - Crossroads of the circular
  6. 5 : km 5.31 - alt. 40 m - Pierre de l'Ecuelle (ou les rochers de Mélusine)
  7. 6 : km 5.79 - alt. 43 m - Road on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.02 - alt. 64 m - Path on the right towards La Chaloire
  9. 8 : km 7.27 - alt. 58 m - Crossing the village of La Chaloire
  10. 9 : km 10.75 - alt. 34 m - Espace botanique Bikini
  11. S/E : km 11.46 - alt. 46 m - Maison du mineur et des énergies

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
general11
general11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route running alongside the river with plenty of picnic tables. The location is ideal for family walks and is well shaded with the added bonus of the cool river breeze.
The path is fully accessible, contrary to the information in the description

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Lemalb
Lemalb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The section along the Moine is very pleasant. On 04/11/2024, there was fog, so it's worth doing again in sunshine

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manuuher
manuuher

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike near La Moine, very shaded except perhaps at the beginning, which crosses the vineyards, but this can be avoided by staying on the same path on the way back.

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MSmarcelsalmon
MSmarcelsalmon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Often near La Moine, this route is mostly shaded.
Interesting on a sunny day!

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didfly
didfly

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy and pleasant hike

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Régis ONILLON
Régis ONILLON

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We completed this hike in 2½ hours. A lovely spring walk, but beware of the numerous mountain bikes, some of which travel at excessive speeds. So take care.

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Lologueud
Lologueud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike on Sunday along the banks of the Moine on a small trail surrounded by nature (except at the start, which passes through the village). However, 3 hours and 25 minutes is a bit too long; we did it in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

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