The Moisson Loop Nature Reserve

Nestled in a bend of the Seine, the Moisson nature reserve offers a guaranteed change of scenery! Alternating between forest and moorland trails, this short hike should appeal to nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet.

Details

428718
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 25 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 44 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 19 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Moisson (78840)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.073358° / E 1.670033°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2113ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Moisson town hall. Parking in the small car park on Place Parion-Nicolle opposite the town hall.

No signposts

(S/E) Head south on Chemin du Bois Beauceron, which starts to the right of the town hall when facing it. At the fork, take Chemin de la Forêt on the right.

Yellow signposts

At the next intersection, turn right. At the end of the street (EDF transformer), turn right and then left onto Allée du Jamboree.

(1) There are four forks over a distance of about 150 metres: at thefirst fork, opposite number 7, turn left; at thesecond fork, take the right-hand lane, Chemin des Rêles; at thethird fork, take the narrowest path on the left; at thefourth fork, turn left again onto the clearest path. Continue straight ahead for approximately 1.5 km through the forest, heading generally west-southwest then west, until you reach a T-junction (information sign).

No signposts
There are two parallel paths, which join further on. We recommend following the unmarked path, which is better maintained and, above all, closer to the heathland landscape characteristic of the nature reserve.

(2) Turn left and go through a forest gate. Cross a path on the left, ignore a yellow cross and continue straight ahead, heading south, along the edge of the heath. Further on, the path turns right. At the start of a slope, there are two steep paths: take the one on the left.

(3) At the top, turn left and follow a path with the heath below on your left. The path leaves the heath and turns right, then joins the marked path.

Yellow markings

Follow the path to the left and immediately turn right with it (low railings on the left). After about 300 m, you will come to a fork.

No markings

(4) Follow the path on the left, under the pine trees and then the fir trees, with the two paths remaining parallel for about 250 m. The path then turns left, go straight ahead and ignore the paths on the right. The path turns left again, still ignoring the paths on the right. After a right-hand bend, you will soon reach a T-junction.

Yellow signposting

(5) Follow the path to the left and continue straight ahead. Further on, ignore two paths on the left and join the D124. Cross the road (take care) and continue on the path opposite (forest barrier) and immediately ignore a path on the left.

(6) After about 200 m, turn left onto a path that descends. Follow a well-marked path through a heathland with views of the chalk cliffs of the Seine valley in the distance. Follow a sheep fence on your left and, at a T-junction (not shown on the map), turn left, keeping close to the fence. When the fence turns 90° to the left, continue straight ahead across the heath.

(7) At a fork, turn left onto a path not shown on the map. You will soon come to the sheep fence again; follow it on your left. At a wooden gate in the fence, turn right (information sign), ignore a path on the left and go through a forest gate.

Yellow markings

(8) Come out onto a wide path and follow it to the left. At thefirst house, ignore a path coming from the right.

No markings

At the next fork, follow the Chemin du Bois Beauceron to the right (ignore the yellow markings that go left). At the next intersection, turn right and you will find the Moisson town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 19 m - Moisson Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 21 m - Allée du Jamboree - Fourche
  3. 2 : km 1.72 - alt. 30 m - Route du Grand Veneur
  4. 3 : km 2.47 - alt. 36 m - Fork at the top of a slope
  5. 4 : km 3.09 - alt. 34 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 4.42 - alt. 43 m - T-junction
  7. 6 : km 5.3 - alt. 43 m - Trailhead
  8. 7 : km 6.44 - alt. 20 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 6.91 - alt. 21 m - Forest barrier - T-junction
  10. S/E : km 7.49 - alt. 19 m - Moisson Town Hall

Notes

The paths are well maintained and in excellent condition: this hike can be done in any season (tested in December) and, in dry weather, good sports shoes are sufficient.

No water sources have been identified along the route. There is a brasserie and a crêperie in Moisson, at the central crossroads with the D124.

A detailed map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Conditions of access to the nature reserve (see information boards on site):
- Stay on the paths and trails.
- Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
- Picking and gathering are prohibited.
- From November to February, wild boar hunts are organised on the1st and3rd Friday of each month.

Additional information:
This hike can be combined with the "Walk along the Seine in the Moisson loop" hike, which has the same start and finish points. Start with this hike and, at the point, turn right and follow the other hike from its point (1) to the finish (S/E). Allow around 12 km for the whole hike.

This hike was completed twice by the author, the first time on 29 December 2016 and the second time on 19 December 2021.

Worth a visit

- The Moisson Loop Nature Reserve is a major highlight of this hike.
- There are beautiful views of the moor between (2) and (4).
- Crossing the moor between (6) and (8).
- Saint-Léger Church (19th century) (S/E).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 39 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
nanouyaz
nanouyaz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A perfect route in good weather as it is in the woods. Fortunately, we were able to use GPS guidance as there are many trails. Some sections were poorly maintained but still passable; you just had to be brave. We all loved it.

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randolim78
randolim78
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, well-marked route, the section through the forest is lovely. Thank you to the author for this walk.

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Maxipoo
Maxipoo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good description of the route, easy to follow. Didn't meet any other hikers.
Saw a deer and a very large anthill in the pine forest. Lots of flowers in the meadow.
The trail from 6 was very grassy but easy to follow. I don't think the yellow flowers were broom but Jacob's ragwort (?). Very beautiful flowers (evening primroses) in the sheep park.

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Anne-Marie P.
Anne-Marie P.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you to whoever described this route so accurately. It was perfect.
The forest section and the banks of the Seine are very pleasant. It's a shame that there is a relatively long stretch of road towards Lavacourt. The road is quite busy but not dangerous for pedestrians, although it lacks interest

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annie-paul
annie-paul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant in summer because there is a lot of undergrowth and the moorland is full of flowers, including heather.
Thank you for this lovely walk

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Florence P
Florence P

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We left Vetheuil on the ferry, then from Lavacourt we followed the Seine to the starting point. This added a few kilometres to the trip, as well as a short boat ride and an ice cream on the way back. Be sure to check the ferry timetable. The vegetation is magnificent!

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tibe
tibe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk enjoyed under beautiful sunshine. The succession of different natural environments makes this hike very pleasant and refreshing. Very good description of the route. To be repeated when the heather is in bloom. Thank you to the author.

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Steve79
Steve79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route through moorland and woodland, with no particular difficulties.
The paths are mostly flat and shaded (please note that dogs are not allowed).
A guaranteed change of scenery.
The route is perfect, thank you to the author.

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christine.vallat
christine.vallat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route through the Moisson Loop Nature Reserve is really lovely. It features landscapes of forests and moors covered with broom and heather, and you can see the chalk cliffs of the Seine Valley in the distance. You can extend this fairly short route with a walk along the banks of the Seine

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ovil
ovil

You can see the water tower behind the trees. Perhaps it is visible in winter. In any case, it cannot be used as a landmark.

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ovil
ovil

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We have combined this route with the one along the banks of the Seine.
We set off from Bonnières station and crossed Freneuse, then followed a forest path to reach point 5 (a leisurely 1 hour 40 minute walk).
An easy hike in overcast and windy weather.
A few changes have been made since this route was created:
- at point 5, there is a concrete structure that can be used as a table at the edge of the small path
- point 6: I didn't see the "old sign", but there is a barrier on the right-hand path
- point 1: there is a red and white metal barrier at the fourth fork
- point 2: the barrier is on the ground and one of the supports is broken.
The route is correctly marked in yellow and all changes in direction are indicated, even at points 2 and 3.
Currently, following recent rain, the grass is quite high and brambles tend to overgrow the narrow paths.

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nadine.vuaillat
nadine.vuaillat
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, varied and rich for lovers of botany and rural and forest settings. Easy for everyone as the terrain is practically flat but not monotonous. Definitely worth doing again!

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Roldar
Roldar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk in gloomy weather. Very varied with beautiful views of the moorland. Be careful at point 5 to leave the main path. We didn't find any information signs on the left, but there was a sign for the Moisson loop. We also didn't see the water tower mentioned on the map, but perhaps it was hidden by trees and not very high. We recommend this route, which can be completed in two hours.

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jprenard
jprenard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike! Amazing landscapes for the region (moors, pine trees. It feels more like the Landes than a loop of the Seine). Very detailed and perfect description, no difficulty, easily doable in trainers, pleasantly shaded for most of the route. We only came across two other people. We'll definitely be doing it again! And a big thank you to whoever came up with this route!

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PLEYBER
PLEYBER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, refreshing walk. Very well-written guide.

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