The Canal d’Orléans and a few ponds starting from Chailly

Start from the car park at the church in Chailly-en-Gâtinais.

Yellow markings
Markings are very sparse and weathered, supplemented by^‘PR® des Bourbons’ signposts at some junctions (but not all).

(S/E) From the car park, head for the banks of the Canal d’Orléans and follow it to the left as you make your way up towards the bridge. Cross the canal at the Chailly Lock.

(1) As you come off the bridge, turn left immediately, take the towpath and follow the canal on your left. At the next bridge, cross a small road and continue along the towpath for a further 150 metres or so.

(2) Just after a picnic table, leave the towpath and turn right onto a grassy track (there are no markers or signs here). Continue along a small road (you’ll find a^PR® sign here) and pass in front of a riding centre. Carry on south-south-west along a track between meadows and fields.

(3) Ignore a path branching off to the right and carry on along the edge of the woodland on your left. Further on, enter the woodland. Pass through the hamlet of La Leu (dovecote) and continue along a gravel track at the edge of the woodland on your right.

(4) At the junction, turn right onto a small road. At the ‘give way’ sign, follow the road to the left towards Coudroy. Turn right with the road at Petit Chesnoy.

(5) At the start of the left-hand bend that comes up immediately, leave the road and carry on straight ahead along a path. Walk alongside a meadow and then a woodland on your left. Ignore a path branching off to the left (private property) and walk alongside the Étang de Piquereau, visible through the branches. Pass the weir (a lovely view over the pond) and carry on straight ahead along the main track, ignoring the various side paths.

(6) You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the left. At the next junction (EDF transformer), turn right towards La Fouquinerie. Carry on straight ahead. At the last houses, the tarmac gives way to a track.

(7) At the fork in the road that appears immediately, veer to the left. Head due west, alternating between fields, meadows and woodland (well-worn tracks).

(8) At the T-junction, turn left. Ignore a path branching off to the left and continue along a gravel track. You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the right. At the end, turn right and continue for about 75 metres.

(9) At the corner of a livestock building, turn left onto a path bordered by a hedge on the left-hand side. Walk alongside a meadow on your left, then a woodland on your right. Cross a stream and enter the woodland. Stay on the main path, heading south-southeast, and ignore all side paths (private property).

(10) You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the left for about 500 metres, ignoring the access road to Carrouge on your right.

(11) At the next junction, turn right onto the track heading towards Les Fraisiers. The track bends left then right and leads to the gate of a property.

(12) Continue along a grassy track, keeping the house on your left. Further on, turn left with the track and enter a woodland. Walk past a small pond on your right and continue along the main track.

(13) At the crossroads, turn right and walk some distance with the Étang du May (inaccessible and barely visible) on your right. At the next junction, turn left. Cross a stream and come out onto the Canal d’Orléans at the Écluse de La Vallée.

(14) Immediately take the towpath on the left and follow the canal on your right. Pass under a road bridge and continue straight on to reach the Rougemont Lock.

(15) Carry on along the towpath, keeping the canal on your right.

(2) Back at the junction you took on the way there, carry on straight ahead. Pass the road bridge and continue along the towpath.

(1) After the lock, cross the canal. Turn left immediately to reach the church car park (S/E).

Hiking boots are recommended.

No water points identified along the route. Picnic tables by the canal, at the starting point (S/E) and at the end point (2). A bar, tobacconist and small grocery shop opposite the church (S/E).

This walk follows a^PR® trail designed, marked and signposted by the Loiret departmental committee of the FFRP. A 1:25,000 map is nevertheless recommended (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

Walk undertaken by the author on 31 May 2019.

- Church of Chailly-en-Gâtinais (14th century) (S/E).
- A pleasant walk along the Canal d’Orléans, between (S/E) and (2) and between (14) and (S/E).
- Locks at (1), (14) and (15).
- A dovecote at La Leu, just before (4).
- Picquereau Pond, between (5) and (6).