The hare and the tortoise at Escorpain

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This circular route offers an opportunity to discover some of the structures that line the Avre Aqueduct, particularly the Tue-Cheval structure, but also to admire the castle of Escorpain. Two pretty ponds are also on the itinerary. It is an easy route with a few sections in the forest, which are welcome when it is very hot!

Details

n°5848810
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 42 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 46 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 163 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 117 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Escorpain (28270)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.721128° / E 1.210199°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2015SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather
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Photos

It's flat but beautiful! ^^
Escorpain Castle
Second pond
The most imposing structure along the aqueduct

Description of the walk

Departure from Escorpain Town Hall

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, turn right.

(1) At the crossroads, take the path that descends slightly to the left. Descend into the valley and climb up the other side.

(2) On the hill, at the cross, follow the path to the right and enter Romainvilliers. At the end of Rue du Clair Bois, turn right and follow the D313.6 towards La Ferrette.

(3) At La Ferrette, pass in front of the silo and turn left towards La Poterie. Pass in front of the pond and follow the road to the left. Leave La Ferrette and walk for about 850 metres.

(4) Just before the small bridge and the right-angle bend, leave the road and follow the path on the right that leads into the woods. At the next forest crossroads, go straight ahead. This will take you along the Avre aqueduct.

(5) 350 m after leaving the woods, follow the path on the left. At the entrance to the woods, turn right to walk along the edge. 450 m further on, at the crossroads, take thesecond path on the right. Cross the plain and enter the hamlet of La Gâtine. At the end of Rue des Trois Ormes, follow the D104 on the left.

(6) Leave the D104 and follow Rue des Masures to the right. This soon turns into a forest path. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. Cross a small plain and turn right at the corner of the next wood. Cross the aqueduct and go down the path on the left. At the bottom, go through the aqueduct gates and climb up to the next gates.

(7) After the barriers, climb up the path on the left. Pass in front of a stone and brick structure. At the fork, leave theGR® and turn right, cross the aqueduct and continue straight ahead.

(8) At the edge of the woods, turn right and walk along the edge.

(9) Follow the path on the left, then take thefirst path on the right. At the entrance to the woods, turn right, then left at the fork. Cross a wooded area, then go around the Plaine des Carrières on the right.

(10) At the road, turn right, then at the next crossroads (elevation 145), continue straight ahead.

(11) At the fork (marked by a wayside cross), continue left towards Laons. Enter Escorpain, then turn right at the crossroads. Pass in front of the church and then the castle.

(1) At the next crossroads, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 154 m - Escorpain Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 153 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.95 - alt. 155 m - Calvaire des Pendants
  4. 3 : km 2.76 - alt. 162 m - La Ferrette pond
  5. 4 : km 3.81 - alt. 146 m - Aqueduct of the - Avre (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 5.51 - alt. 144 m - Avre Aqueduct
  7. 6 : km 7.21 - alt. 141 m - La Gâtine
  8. 7 : km 7.97 - alt. 124 m - Avre Aqueduct
  9. 8 : km 8.62 - alt. 143 m - Entrance to the Bois Didot
  10. 9 : km 9.69 - alt. 148 m - Les Défaits
  11. 10 : km 12.03 - alt. 150 m - Plaines des Carrières
  12. 11 : km 12.91 - alt. 153 m - Escorpain Calvary
  13. S/E : km 14.44 - alt. 154 m - Escorpain Town Hall

Notes

There is a picnic table and bench at the Escorpain pond, located very close to the starting point.

Worth a visit

The structures that line the Avre Aqueduct, particularly the Tue-Cheval structure located between (4) and (5).
The castle and church of Escorpain.
The Escorpain pond
The Ferrette pond

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Judéaux
Judéaux

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy, flat route. Too many roads, even if they are not very busy.
Not recommended on a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon, as motocross bikes are out and about 🥴. Nice mix of woods and plains.

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Igor le breton
Igor le breton

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied route, now quiet, a forest trail with the Avre aqueduct!
It ends on a road, which is handy for your shoes.
On the downside, there is rubbish along the roads and several illegal dumps.

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Véronique Favre
Véronique Favre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and peaceful route, with some tarmac but on small, quiet roads.
Passes through or along the edge of forests. Easy hike but best followed with GPS.

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ealet
ealet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied hike with a beautiful discovery (the castle at Escorpain) and a forest trail with the aqueduct
Well-described and easy-to-follow route, the only downside being the road section from point 10, which is a bit long
Thanks to the author for sharing this.

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LEGLAUDE
LEGLAUDE

I'm glad you enjoyed the route. It's true that the coolness of the woods is very welcome when the temperature rises!

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Marion MG
Marion MG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 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, part of which is in the forest (very welcome in the summer heat!), part along fields, and part on small roads and through villages and hamlets. You can see quite a few water collection structures. I really enjoyed the route, except for the part on roads, which is never my favourite, but you have to be able to close the circular route! The part in the forest is really beautiful, with well-maintained paths.
I did the hike on a weekday and didn't see anyone, not even in the villages I passed through, except for the last kilometre. The paths are clean, quiet and easy to find. With the map or description, it's very easy to find your way around, there's no room for hesitation.
Thank you for the walk!

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sh/H
sh/H

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 13/06/2021, a very beautiful circular route offering the opportunity to discover these structures, the Château d'Escorpain...and a magnificent forest

BUT one small downside: if you don't have a map and instructions for the hike, it's impossible to do because there are NO MARKERS (worth noting).

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.