Mont Pagnotte from Villers-Saint-Frambourg

This loop, starting from Villers-Saint-Frambourg, takes place in the Forêt d'Halatte. The paved forest roads follow the dirt tracks. We climb Mont Pagnotte via the south face. After a long descent, we go around the mountain to climb it again, but this time via the north face. The ascent is less difficult as it follows a beautiful path. After a long descent, we return to our starting point.

Details

403990
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 180 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 174 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 220 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 89 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park next to the Saint-Frambourg Chapel.

(S/E) Join Rue de Fleurines and turn left. You will come to a path on the left between two houses.

(1) Take this path and follow it south-west. Pass the Croix de Saint-Pierre and continue in the same direction to reach the archaeological site (Gallo-Roman ruins).

(2) Return to the crossroads, turn left until you reach Route de Malgenet.

(3) Take this road heading almost north to reach the Croix Saint-Rieul crossroads in a straight line.

(4) Turn right onto Route du Mont Pagnotte to reach the Villiers crossroads.

(5) Take the second road on the right, Cammomie. You will soon come to another crossroads.

(6) Stay on the same road, turn left shortly after crossing Route des Dames and join Route de la Fontaine Aubert at a multi-way intersection.

(7) Take this road on the left to reach the car park at the Poteau du Mont Pagnotte crossroads.

(8) Turn right onto theGR®12, leave it on the left at the Haut Merdun crossroads, go around Mont Pagnotte on the left to reach the car park after passing the pylons.

(8) Take the Route du Mont Pagnotte opposite and continue straight ahead in a south-westerly direction to the Poteau des Dames.

(9) Turn right onto Route du Cerfouillet, then left onto Chemin du Cheval Blanc. Cross Route du Mont Pagnotte to return to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(6) Continue south-east until you reach the crossroads with the road leading to the cemetery.

(10) Take Rue Vieille de Pont opposite, follow it to Villiers-Saint-Frambourg. Turn left onto Rue de la Croix Dupille, then Place Paul Darras to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 93 m - Car park near Saint-Frambourg Chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 96 m - Path on the left between two houses
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 91 m - Gallo-Roman ruins
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 92 m - Malgenet Road
  5. 4 : km 3.77 - alt. 129 m - Saint-Rieul Cross
  6. 5 : km 4.74 - alt. 112 m - Carrefour de Villiers
  7. 6 : km 5.1 - alt. 120 m - Boucle crossroads
  8. 7 : km 6.31 - alt. 187 m - Aubert Fountain
  9. 8 : km 8.74 - alt. 213 m - Mont Pagnotte signpost
  10. 9 : km 9.47 - alt. 147 m - Poteau des Dames
  11. 10 : km 11.73 - alt. 101 m - Cemetery crossroads
  12. S/E : km 12.41 - alt. 93 m - Car park near Saint-Frambourg Chapel

Worth a visit

The Saint-Frambourg Chapel stands out with its single nave, like a long architectural vessel. Built above a 12th-century chapel that now looks like a crypt, the chapel features some of the most accomplished and elegant Gothic architecture, with tall windows punctuating each of the bays.
The Gallo-Roman ruins.
The view from Mont Pagnotte.

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
krando94
krando94

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's good for stretching your legs and working up a sweat on the climbs, but otherwise there's not much to see (apart from the Ognon temple at the start): it's just a very standard forest.

It's close enough to the motorway and roads in general that you can hear background noise from the motorway and cars passing by from time to time. And on the day I was there, there were quite a few quad bikes, motocross bikes and other unidentified vehicles (but whose purpose is apparently to make a lot of noise and go very fast on the forest paths).

In short, why not if you're in the area, but it's not worth a long trip.

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D_LPX
D_LPX
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very little information available on site regarding the route, fortunately the real-time tracking (GPS route) with the map worked well, otherwise I don't think it would have been followed

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KATEBUD
KATEBUD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in hot weather, as most of the route is in the forest.

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Domino58
Domino58

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with some nice climbs and beautiful views

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JackyPG60
JackyPG60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike accessible to all despite the elevation gain.
The route is reliable, with multiple variations possible to enhance your outing.
The wooden platform at the viewpoint* on Mont Pagnotte is in poor condition, so please take care.
At this platform, the vegetation is dense and no longer offers a view*.

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cresson laurent
cresson laurent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike with a group of 14 people. I recommend it
Be sure to follow the route carefully

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floxminox
floxminox

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, very pleasant with a few reasonable climbs.
The surroundings are rejuvenating.
There was a small error at point 5, where we took the paved road.

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legodvicien
legodvicien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a little-used trail with some nice elevation changes. The archaeological site at the start of the hike is very interesting, with an information board providing welcome explanations. The Halatte forest offers varied landscapes and a wide variety of trees, some of which are quite impressive (huge beech trees as you reach Mont Pagnotte, very large holly trees, etc.).
Although there are a few short but steep climbs, the walk is fairly easy and very shady, which is pleasant in the summer heat.
To top it all off, the village of Villers-Saint-Frambourg is superb.
I would love to do this walk again.

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Hourville
Hourville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An excellent walk. A beautiful mix of ascents and descents in the forest, with some steep climbs at times! Magnificent trees. Clear and very precise map. However, be careful at point 5: take the small path that descends to the right after the calvary, do not stay on the paved road you have just joined.
Thanks to the author.

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Olivier D'HERBOMEZ
Olivier D'HERBOMEZ
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very good hike

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jplesgo
jplesgo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

be careful not to miss the fork at point 5 in the description, a very small path that branches off to the right after a wayside cross. It is easy to stay on the paved road you have just joined. The path you need to take is marked GR.
The ground is marshy in many places, so plan accordingly if there has been heavy rain.
And it's quite a climb to reach Mont Pagnotte...

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beatrice3363
beatrice3363

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk through the woods

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brigitte et jean claude
brigitte et jean claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike with an archaeological site, a pleasant and easy walk

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airelle686
airelle686

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike with an interesting archaeological site;
The route is moderately difficult, but the climb up Mount Pagnotte on both sides is challenging at the end.
I recommend this route for experienced walkers.

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marsouin61
marsouin61

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike to do if possible in spring or summer.
The route is moderately difficult, but the climb up Mont Pagnotte on both sides is challenging at the end.
I recommend this route for experienced walkers.

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