The Bois des Gâts forest in Châteaudun

Located on the natural border between Beauce and Perche formed by the Loir River, Châteaudun is built on a rocky spur. The route circles the remarkable natural site of the Bois des Gâts or Gas. Open to the public, this 23-hectare site is protected by the Natura 2000 programme.

Details

792736
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 53 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 58 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 144 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 106 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Châteaudun (28200)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.070732° / E 1.32855°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2018SB, 2019SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: Place du 18 Octobre in Châteaudun.

(S/E) From Place du 18 Octobre, take Rue Jean Moulin. At the war memorial, go down the alleyway towards the Loir on the left. At the road, turn right.

(1) Cross and take the footbridge to the stop sign. Continue straight ahead, then turn right onto Rue de Chollet. Continue straight ahead to the campsite. Go around it and take the footbridge at Moulin à Tan.

(2) Turn right (you will see the château behind you) and follow theGR®35(white and red markings) through the Bois des Gâts. Pass the educational pond and walk along the Loir. At the end, climb up to the left along a small path through the box trees.

(3) When you reach the top, turn left. The path is now between the edge of the woods and the plain (bird observatory just inside the woods). After the Bois des Gâts house, continue straight ahead on this path, which passes over the diversion.

(4) At the stop sign, turn left onto Rue de Tarragon and cross Rue Abel Méret. Take the path opposite, which descends and then heads towards the river. At the T-junction, turn right to follow the branch of the Loir.

(5) Turn left onto Rue Saint-Jean and cross the bridge.

(6) After the second bridge, turn left through the Jardin des Grands Moulins. Follow Rue des Fouleries and take the 200-step staircase opposite, then Venelle des Ribaudes to reach Rue de Luynes. Then turn left to return to Place du 18 Octobre (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 142 m - Place du 18 Octobre
  2. 1 : km 0.58 - alt. 109 m - Footbridge
  3. 2 : km 1.59 - alt. 106 m - Follow the GR 35
  4. 3 : km 4.26 - alt. 143 m - Maison du Bois des Gâts
  5. 4 : km 6.81 - alt. 122 m - Rue de Tarragon
  6. 5 : km 7.93 - alt. 107 m - Crossing the Loir
  7. 6 : km 8.37 - alt. 108 m - Pont Saint-Médard
  8. S/E : km 8.96 - alt. 142 m - Place du 18 Octobre

Worth a visit

The town of Châteaudun stands out for the beauty of its location, at the top of a rocky promontory overlooking the Loir, and the majesty of its castle. The town, which is home to 58 listed or classified sites and monuments, can be explored on a pleasant route through the historic district.

Châteaudun Castle is the "first castle on the Loire" for visitors coming from Paris. This former fortified castle, now a large princely residence, overlooks the Loir from the north-western tip of the rocky spur on which the town is built. Here you can admire architectural elements of various styles from the feudal era to the Renaissance, including Gothic architecture.

Discover an unexpected underground world by taking a guided tour of the Grottes du Foulon, a geological site covering more than a hectare beneath the town. Follow the guide through the large natural cavities carved out by water 65 million years ago. The underground tour allows you to admire a remarkable concentration of quartz and bluish chalcedony geodes.

On the nature side, the town is the starting point for numerous hiking, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing and horse riding routes. Fishing spots are also available in Châteaudun and the surrounding area.

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
randonnee76
randonnee76

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike with lovely views. There are 200 steps to climb to reach the castle, but they are gentle.

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Isabelle des fois
Isabelle des fois

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short hike with lots of charm and, above all, tranquillity.
There is a slightly challenging section with a fairly steep climb , but it is still manageable.
Also suitable for families (without pushchairs) due to this climb.

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Aurmi
Aurmi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This route must be very pleasant in summer as well.

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cheyenne28
cheyenne28

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Good route but not very busy

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OLIVET
OLIVET

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant, green, flat route (except for a 200-metre climb with a supposed elevation gain of 60 metres)... The only slight difficulty for hikers!
A beautiful walk through gardens, along the Loir river and through the forest... There is a shelter with toilets for picnics near the leisure centre. On the way back, which is a little too paved, there is a splendid view of the castle that makes you want to visit the old town...

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momo45
momo45

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk along the edge of the woods. An easy walk with good signposting.

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Office de Tourisme Châteaudun
Office de Tourisme Châteaudun

Thank you for visiting Châteaudun.

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cirrus
cirrus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk along the banks of the Loir, with a beautiful view of the castle on the way back.
Picnic available at Bois des Gats.
You can continue your walk with a visit to the historic centre of Châteaudun, where there are many buildings worth seeing.

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