The Grand-Pierre and Vitain Valleys Nature Reserve

A short, idyllic walk through the Grand-Pierre and Vitain Valleys Nature Reserve. In a vast, slightly wooded wilderness, the route reveals a rich natural and archaeological heritage.

Details

4541841
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 15 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 111 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 95 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at one of the car parks at the foot of Marolles Church

(S/E) With your back to the church, head right onto Rue de la Mairie. Keep right at the fork as you approach the town hall. Rue de la Mairie becomes Rue de la Garenne, followed by a wide lane bordered on the right by a stone wall. Continue along the busiest lane.

(1) Keep left at the fork, passing the sign for “chemin rural autorisé”

(2) Start of the circular loop: keep right at the fork to stay on the busiest path.

(3) After 125 m, the archaeological site is on the left, hidden in the vegetation. Continue to a crossroads.

(4) Take the sharp left-hand bend until you reach a cross-path.

(5) Turn left until you rejoin the path taken on the way there.

(2) Continue straight ahead along the path taken on the way there and follow the busiest track until you reach the tarmac road, then the church, in a straight line, the starting point of the walk (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 110 m - Place de l' - Église Notre-Dame (Marolles)
  2. 1 : km 1.42 - alt. 96 m - Turn left at the fork
  3. 2 : km 2.11 - alt. 106 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 107 m - Archaeological site on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.44 - alt. 103 m - Sharp left-hand bend
  6. 5 : km 2.78 - alt. 103 m - Turn left onto the cross-country path
  7. S/E : km 5.22 - alt. 110 m - Place de l' - Église Notre-Dame (Marolles)

Notes

The walk is suitable for families and can be enjoyed in all seasons.
It follows private paths open to the public, in a fragile environment that needs to be preserved.

Worth a visit

The highlight of the walk is the nature reserve, with its educational route.

Just after (1), the route follows the dry valley of the Grande Pierre, a geological curiosity.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
noemie95
noemie95

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk. The route is well marked. The access path is quite muddy in wet weather.
I'm glad I got to discover this area close to home. There are information boards providing explanations about the history and biodiversity of the area.
It must be very pleasant in summer.

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Louis

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laurentzeller
laurentzeller

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk. The archaeological site is very moving...

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Teepee
Teepee

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk through the forest, offering great archaeological interest thanks to the necropolis.
However, this walk is best done in dry weather as there are many muddy ruts.

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Yes, the path is indeed quite muddy at the moment with all this rain!
Have a good day,
Jean-Louis

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daniel.pollet
daniel.pollet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s a shame the path isn’t better maintained, as there’s a high risk of slipping.
I plan to do it again on a sunny day

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