The Croix Colas route

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This route offers a pleasant walk, alternating between forest paths, country lanes and waterside trails. The woods provide welcome shade, whilst the more open sections offer glimpses of the surrounding countryside. You’ll also come across some local heritage sites and hamlets, which lend the route an authentic feel. The presence of small streams and the canal creates a calm and cool atmosphere, which is particularly pleasant in summer. A varied and accessible route, ideal for a peaceful outing in the countryside.

Details

n°99805214
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.94 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 318 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 318 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 994 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 817 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in one of the car parks near the Étang de la Motte.

(S/E) Leave the car park by turning right and walk for about 500 m.

(1) Take a small path on the right which leads close to the fitness trail.

(2) Turn left to walk along the back of the leisure centre (lodge village then campsite), then keep to the right. Cut across a cross-path and continue straight ahead along a wide track to reach the Fourneau factory.

(3) Turn left to pass between the buildings, cross a small road and carry on straight ahead to reach the hamlet of La Croix-Colas.

(4) Head straight on towards the Bois de Longwé, turn left and walk along the edge of the woodland for about 200 m. Then follow a wide path to the right leading to a tarmac road (D34), turn left and walk carefully alongside it before leaving the woodland.

(5) After about 1 km, take a small road on the right, pass the pumping station and, when you reach the three-way junction, keep to the right and continue for a few dozen metres.

(6) Turn right, cross the bridge over the Ruisseau des Grosses Pierres and head back into the woodland. At the junction, continue to the right and join the fork with a path coming from the left.

(7) Carry straight on, passing the Moulin Véron house, and rejoin the tarmac road.

(8) Keep going straight on to follow Rue Saint-Éloi, along which a string of houses is dotted.

(9) Turn right, join the D10 and continue in the same direction. Walk alongside the Étang de la Placette on your left, crossing the bridge over the stream.

(10) Take the path on the left which leads up towards the Fourneau factory. You’ll reach a junction by a small, long pond.

(11) Take the sharp left-hand bend, head towards the Étang de la Vieille Forge and turn right towards the footbridge over the Canal de la Petite Eau.

(12) Cross the footbridge, then turn left immediately to walk alongside the canal. You’ll reach the junction with the fitness trail.

(13) Go straight on and continue along the canal until you rejoin the road you took at the very start of the walk. Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 945 ft - Étang de la Motte car park - Étang de la Motte
  2. 1 : mi 0.24 - alt. 988 ft - Path on the right
  3. 2 : mi 0.49 - alt. 984 ft - Junction, on the left
  4. 3 : mi 1.2 - alt. 942 ft - Usine du Fourneau
  5. 4 : mi 1.85 - alt. 935 ft - La Croix Colas
  6. 5 : mi 2.93 - alt. 830 ft - Le Chalet, on the right
  7. 6 : mi 3.37 - alt. 843 ft - Turn right
  8. 7 : mi 3.78 - alt. 856 ft - Junction, go straight on
  9. 8 : mi 4.29 - alt. 909 ft - Rue Saint-Éloi
  10. 9 : mi 4.73 - alt. 984 ft - Turn right
  11. 10 : mi 5.29 - alt. 860 ft - Exit D10, path on the left
  12. 11 : mi 5.75 - alt. 945 ft - Junction, lake – left
  13. 12 : mi 6.23 - alt. 955 ft - Footbridge
  14. 13 : mi 6.47 - alt. 958 ft - Fitness trail junction, go straight on
  15. S/E : mi 6.94 - alt. 948 ft - Étang de la Motte car park

Notes

You can park in the car parks located before the Étang de la Motte.

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