The Belvédère des Caillettes from Nibelle

In the heart of the Orléans Forest, the route will take you near the 16th-century Château du Hallier, then to the viewpoint on the Caillettes hill at the highest point of the Orléans Forest: an opportunity to admire the surrounding mountains as far as the eye can see.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 43 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 170 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 123 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Nibelle (45340)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.023179° / E 2.326951°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2319OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park near the church in Nibelle.

Yellow markings "PR®® des Caillettes T15"

(S/E) With your back to the church, turn right along the main street, Rue Saint-Sauveur, then keep left at the fork towards Chambon-la-Forêt.

(1) At the hamlet of La Chalerie, turn left at the crossroads towards Château du Hallier.

(2) At the fork, keep left to stay on the Route du Hallier, which leads to the château.

(3) At the crossroads, just after the building, leave the tarmac road and turn left onto the gravel path that runs alongside the Étang du Hallier.

(4) Once past the pond, leave the gravel path and take the grassy path on the right. This path soon enters the Orléans forest. At the hamlet of Montvolant, do not continue along the road but turn right onto Chemin de la Forêt.

(5) Turn left at the junction with a cross road. At the Haute Voie crossroads, continue straight ahead on the grassy path, heading south. Ignore the road on the right, Route des Caillettes.

(6) Turn left at the crossroads of four tracks in the direction of Nibelle. A sign indicates danger due to the presence of children. The Caillettes centre is 200 m from the crossroads. Turn your back on the entrance to the centre and leave the wide lane behind you as you follow a footpath. This leads to the Caillettes viewpoint. Don't hesitate to climb the 126 steps to enjoy the view and the orientation table.

(7) Continue along the south-facing track. At the Fontaine au Roi star-shaped crossroads, take the first hairpin bend on the left, the road from Vitry to Boiscommun. At the next intersection, continue towards Boiscommun, then at the Cave star-shaped crossroads, continue straight ahead along the grassy lane, still on the road from Vitry to Boiscommun.

(8) The Route de Vitry à Boiscommun ends at a final star-shaped crossroads. Turn onto the first road on the left, which leads to a place called Le Chêne à Deux Jambes. Rue du Chêne à Deux Jambes then passes through Champ des Enfants and Colombier Brouard.

(9) At the intersection, turn right onto the cross street, Chemin des Brandelles. Ignore the side roads and continue north-east on the small road called Chemin des Moussets. Cross the D 30 and continue straight ahead on the grassy lane.

(10) Turn left at the crossroads and continue along Rue du Trou Foletier, keeping to the left at the fork. Turn right onto Rue de la Clocheterie at the intersection, then keep slightly to the left when you reach Rue de la Gare (D230), which leads to Nibelle Church, the starting point of the walk (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 127 m - Church car park, near the - Rimarde (rivière) - Affluent de l'Essone
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 124 m - La Chalerie hamlet
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 133 m - On the left, take the Route du Hallier.
  4. 3 : km 1.75 - alt. 133 m - Crossroads after the - Château du Hallier (Nibelle)
  5. 4 : km 2.14 - alt. 130 m - Grassy path on the right after the - Étang du Hallier (Nibelle)
  6. 5 : km 3.66 - alt. 140 m - Turn left onto the stabilised cross-path.
  7. 6 : km 5.12 - alt. 155 m - On the left, "Nibelle".
  8. 7 : km 5.89 - alt. 170 m - Caillettes Viewpoint
  9. 8 : km 8.38 - alt. 145 m - First path on the left
  10. 9 : km 9.69 - alt. 133 m - Turn right onto the side street.
  11. 10 : km 11.39 - alt. 139 m - Turn left onto the cross-path.
  12. S/E : km 12.35 - alt. 127 m - Return to the church car park.

Notes

Barriers or signs restricting access to "authorised persons" limit the use of paths in the national forest.

This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons. The shaded paths are well drained.

You can picnic at the viewpoint, but this spot near a car park is very popular.

You can start the hike at the viewpoint car park.

Worth a visit

The Caillettes viewpoint offers a 360° view of the surrounding mountains. It is located on the watershed between the Loire and Seine rivers.

Things to see in Nibelle:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 3417503

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Remarkable view from the top of the Belvédère, best enjoyed on a clear day.

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User 7490364

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
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 along the waterfront. The town is really lovely to explore, with some unique architectural features

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you for your feedback, Emmanuelle, but please don't feel frustrated. The time indicated is determined automatically, assuming observation and rest times. Nothing prevents you from doing it at your own pace, you just need to take this into account beforehand.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Louis

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Emmanuelle1975
Emmanuelle1975

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No one else on the route, which I always appreciate.

As with all the other routes, I easily take an hour less than the indicated time (without running), which always frustrates me...

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Bernard Poitoux
Bernard Poitoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike mainly through forest with an interesting destination: the Caillettes viewpoint, which is easy to climb and offers a remarkable 360° view.
However, you will need to study the map carefully, as the markings are very "discreet"!

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MMIMI
MMIMI

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route to follow, but it's a shame that the markings aren't everywhere, so GPS tracking is essential.
You pass through some very pretty little villages and hamlets, and the walk through the Forest of Orléans is superb! I recommend this very easy hike.

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br6
br6

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

During weekends and school holidays, this route is very busy, but quiet during other periods.

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Yes, visitor numbers do increase around Belvédère in the summer.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Louis

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Jbouz
Jbouz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short hike offering a beautiful variety of landscapes (as much as is possible in the Loiret, I suppose). The cool weather and fog probably explain why we encountered so few people.

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Many thanks for all this information.
Have a good evening,
Jean-Louis

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J Rapin
J Rapin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike on Sunday, 24 October 2021, for 24 participants. The sun shone all day long, bringing out the autumn colours of the forest. We were able to picnic near the lookout point. We added to our hike a view of the imposing Château du Hallier, a climb to the top of the lookout point, and a guided tour in Nibelle of the museum of pottery and tools used in traditional local trades (lumberjacks, charcoal burners, etc.). The tour lasts about an hour and costs €4 per person or €3 per person for groups of 15 or more. A thoroughly enjoyable autumn day!

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MARTDomi
MARTDomi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice and easy to follow

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you for this valuable information. The time indicated assumes that you follow the route without getting lost at an average speed of 3.5 km/h.
Have a good evening.
Jean-Louis

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Fabrici Catherine
Fabrici Catherine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike with the family on Saturday, 24 October. Lunch at La Rive des Bois restaurant in Chambon la Forêt was excellent!
However, it took much longer than expected! After 3 hours and 40 minutes, we were still nowhere near the end, so we took a shortcut back. There is a viewpoint. We took the time to climb up and admire the landscape: so beautiful in autumn. But we also made a mistake along the way! The hike is superb, but it's better to plan to leave in the morning rather than around 3 p.m. as we did. Thank you for this wonderful walk.

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you for sharing the joy of hiking in the Forest of Orléans.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Louis

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