La Roche aux Fées

Once past the village with its rich architectural heritage (chapel, fountain, wash houses, etc.), this route takes you to the banks of the Petite Creuse, which you follow upstream along a shaded path overlooked by hillside woodland. From the Rocher des Fées cliff, the return to the agricultural plateau offers a sweeping panorama to the south.

Details

1406019
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.11 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 102 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 102 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 323 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 221 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to the village of Lignaud: D951 towards Dun-le-Palestel. Before Chambon-Sainte-Croix, take the road (D22) which climbs to the right just before the bridge over the Petite Creuse.

LSP 6: village of Lignaud (car park at the top of the village, crossroads, wooden cross).

(S/E) Turn left onto the road leading down to the village, cross it following the road (you will notice old houses, the Sainte-Madeleine chapel with its fountain on the right-hand side of the road, as well as a covered wash house.

(1) At the central crossroads, continue straight on towards the south-east for about 600m.

(2) Take the path leading down to the right towards the Petite Creuse.

(3) Turn left to follow the path through the woods that runs alongside the river.

(4) At the road (after walking about 100 metres to the right, you will see the ‘rocher des fées’ and its waterhole on the left), turn back and head up to the junction you passed on the way there.

(2) Walk back along the same path for about 100 metres, then take a track branching off to the right. Follow it straight on for 1,500 metres (panoramic view) to reach the road.

(5) Turn left onto it, then turn left again at the next two junctions. Follow it to the village (viewpoint).

(1) After passing a wash house nestled against a wall, turn right at the crossroads and return to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 323 m - Communal car park at the top of the village
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 310 m - Crossroads of the northern circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.34 - alt. 265 m - Crossroads of the southern circular loop
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 223 m - Path along the - Petite Creuse (rivière) - Affluent de la Creuse
  5. 4 : km 2.99 - alt. 230 m - D22 road
  6. 5 : km 4.99 - alt. 316 m - Road junction
  7. S/E : km 6.11 - alt. 323 m - Communal car park at the top of the village

Notes

Yellow markings and directional signpost.

Worth a visit

(4) The Roche aux Fées site. It once overlooked a Roman bridge. After the stone was quarried, all that remains is a water-filled hollow and a cliff, home to peregrine falcons.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
rumbaya
rumbaya

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice, easy stroll with no real difficulty; the section through the woods along the Petite Creuse is particularly pleasant. A bit too much road, though. The view of the cultivated fields and farm buildings didn’t exactly blow us away, but it did allow us to enjoy this beautiful winter’s day with a big blue sky!

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cinthialew
cinthialew

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route isn't very busy at the moment as it's outside the tourist season and it's winter.
A lovely walk along the Petite Creuse, which was flowing freely during this rainy spell. One to do again in the spring, as this forest walk is very pretty.
One small snag: we’re still looking for the Roche aux Fées. It’s a shame there wasn’t a sign to help us pay more attention to the spot, as we must have walked right past it without noticing the water-filled hollow and the cliff face???
Otherwise, it’s a lovely walk, even with children. On sunny days, you can stop for a break by the river. Not very difficult, not very long. Ideal for families.

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sailly jerome
sailly jerome

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

from the countryside to a walk in the woods along the banks of the Petite Creuse, ending with a magnificent view of the Creuse countryside.

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Maish32
Maish32

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely, easy walk. My only regret is the stretch of road just before heading down to the river, and the fact that you can’t get to the waterhole, even just for a view. The village is very pretty, especially when the hydrangeas are in bloom. The banks of the Petite Creuse are lovely, with their pleasant woodland. Thank you for this route, which is close to where we’re staying.

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