The Great Oak of Humbécourt

A pleasant walk in the Forêt du Der, between Humbécourt and the Grand Étang, offering the chance to visit the centuries-old Gros Chêne.

Details

20391648
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.12 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 62 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 62 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 538 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 472 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Humbécourt (52290)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.582445° / E 4.907563°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3016SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Park in the housing estate to the east of Humbécourt.

(S/E) At the end of Rue de l'Étang du Coutin, follow the farm track, Chemin d'Eurville, to a junction with another track at the top of the hill (elevation 148)

(1) Turn left onto the path heading north, go round the tip of the Étang du Coutin and follow the left-hand edge of a large clearing (Sur la Grande Crouée). About 100 m after leaving the Grande Crouée on your right, you’ll reach a junction.

(2) Turn left onto a wide track and, at the end of the track, take the third turn on the right to join the path that runs along the dyke of the Grand Étang,

(3) Walk along the lake until you reach a forestry track (la Tranche de Valcourt).

(4) Turn right onto it and pass in front of the Val du Grand Étang house. Follow this track to the top of the next hill (elevation 162).

(5) Turn right onto a stony track, go through a gate and follow this track to the end to find the Gros Chêne.

(6) At the Gros Chêne, turn 90° left towards the south-east onto a grassy path and join a straight stretch. Follow it to the right to the edge of Pré Jacquot. Continue along this path towards the south-west,

(7) This path is actually the bed of a small stream and very quickly reaches the bank of a small river, which you should follow to the right, downstream. A few dozen metres further on, you’ll come to a wider path that crosses a bridge.

(8) Cross the bridge and continue straight on to join the farm track known as Le Chemin d’Eurville.

(9) Turn right and continue straight on to rejoin the path taken on the way out at the junction of the circular route.

(1) Continue straight on until you reach the housing estate. Turn right onto the first street and follow it to Rue de l'Étang du Coutin and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 476 ft - Eastern end of the housing estate
  2. 1 : mi 0.63 - alt. 486 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.61 - alt. 522 ft - Wide grassy path
  4. 3 : mi 1.93 - alt. 492 ft - The Grand Étang
  5. 4 : mi 2.75 - alt. 492 ft - La Tranche de Valcourt
  6. 5 : mi 3.32 - alt. 531 ft - Fork at elevation 162
  7. 6 : mi 3.77 - alt. 502 ft - The large oak tree
  8. 7 : mi 4.87 - alt. 486 ft - Stream path
  9. 8 : mi 4.93 - alt. 482 ft - Bridge
  10. 9 : mi 5.07 - alt. 486 ft - Eurville Path
  11. S/E : mi 6.13 - alt. 476 ft - Eastern end of the housing estate

Notes

Wetland, of all times, at the crossing of the Grande Crouée and between (7) and (9).

Worth a visit

The tip of the Étang du Coutin.
The Grand Étang as a whole.
Animal tracks: roe deer, badgers, etc.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Miccri
Miccri
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods.
Wear good waterproof shoes if the ground is damp; there are a few sections to go round, but they’re very easy to navigate.

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User 13630593

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
The route and details provided on the route sheets are correct.

I found that on this hike, at certain points, the path was difficult to see due to construction work and lack of maintenance.
I downloaded the route and the correct path is well described.
A beautiful hike with a lovely pond and an imposing old oak tree.

Best wishes,

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User 9039718

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, as a landscape photographer, I appreciate the routes and details provided in the route guides, which help me locate subjects in areas I’m not familiar with.
I found that at certain points on this hike, the path was difficult to see due to forestry work and a bit of neglect.
But it wasn’t a big deal – I’d downloaded the GPX track onto my watch, so it was easy to get back on the right path.
A lovely walk with a magnificent pond and an impressive old oak tree

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MelWolf
MelWolf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful walk; we set off on a botanical expedition to identify edible and medicinal plants. The scenery and flora were incredibly varied for June, ranging from meadows and woods to forest edges and ponds… Suitable for walkers of all abilities. I highly recommend this route. As we stopped frequently to examine the various plants, I can’t comment on the accuracy of the estimated walking time.

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thanva
thanva

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We went for a walk in the rain, wearing good waterproof boots; the route was perfectly passable.
Heading from point 6 towards point 7, after turning right at the first T-junction, there is a zigzag on the route which misled us on the ground; fortunately, the live GPS track on the map allowed us to correct our mistake. On the ground, we simply needed to continue straight ahead along the path.

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jeanpierremarieclaire
jeanpierremarieclaire

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded walk, but we struggled to follow the route as there was virtually no mobile signal, so we kept losing sight of the map showing the way. We did manage to see the huge oak tree, which was very impressive; it’s a shame it isn’t dated, but luckily I was able to find my way using my GPS.

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Randonneur lorrain
Randonneur lorrain

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk (almost flat), passing by two ponds and an impressive old oak tree.
The path isn’t always well maintained, particularly towards the end: it is shaded for about two-thirds of the way.

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jeanpierremarieclaire
jeanpierremarieclaire

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As there’s no internet coverage, it’s tricky to track your route on Visorando; luckily I had GPS, otherwise I’d have got lost – there aren’t enough signposts. Otherwise, it’s a lovely walk.

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