The Montaigu Ferryman

In the heart of the Alpes Mancelles, discover this hike in an exceptional natural setting: the Canyon des Toyères. Between Sarthe and Mayenne, discover landscapes where nature reigns supreme.

Details

371413
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 87 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 90 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 174 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 105 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Yellow markings on a green background.

Please note: the chain ferry is only in service from 1 May to 30 September.

Park in Saint-Léonard-des-Bois – Domaine du Gasseau car park.

(S/E) From the car park, walk down to the Domaine du Gasseau.

(1) Then follow the road between the equestrian centre and the estate for about 400 metres. Turn left and walk along the Sarthe river (on your left). Walk up the meadow on your right to reach the road to a place called Le Val. Turn left, cross the village and continue along the path to reach the chain ferry.

(2) Take the "Le Passeur" ferry to cross the Sarthe. Go up a gravel path on the right and, at the top, take the tarmac road on the right. Continue straight ahead until you reach the next intersection.

(3) Take the road on the right, then right again at the next two intersections. Continue straight ahead until you reach Les Toyères and its panoramic view of the Sarthe.

(4) Turn around and retrace part of the route in the opposite direction, i.e. turn left and then left again.

(3) Continue straight ahead down the tarmac road of "Bois Roger" to the first crossroads.

(5) Take the path opposite and descend into the woods towards the Oppidum (Montaigu feudal mound).

(6) Continue along the path. At the bottom, take the road on the left to the ferry and cross the river again.

(2) Turn right and head back up to Domaine du Gasseau, following the same path as on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 138 m - Domaine du Gasseau car park
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 129 m - Le Domaine du Gasseau
  3. 2 : km 1.42 - alt. 107 m - Bac à chaîne "Le Passeur" à Saint Léonard des Bois
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 170 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.8 - alt. 168 m - Canyon des Toyères
  6. 5 : km 5.28 - alt. 163 m - At the crossroads, follow the path opposite
  7. 6 : km 5.87 - alt. 154 m - Motte Féodale lieu-dit "Le Montaigu"
  8. S/E : km 8 - alt. 138 m - Domaine du Gasseau car park

Notes

PLEASE NOTE: Updated July 2018: please note that due to bad weather in the spring, the chain ferry is out of service for an indefinite period
PLEASE NOTE: The chain ferry is only in service from 1 May to 30 September.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 27208733

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

nice!

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guyom69
guyom69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very good route for a leisurely half-day hike, and crossing the river by ferry adds a little spice to the outing!
however, the promontory is still not accessible, but it is still possible to enjoy the view of the valley.

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OTAM
OTAM

thank you for your opinion
we look forward to seeing you again in the Alpes Mancelles

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Dominique2
Dominique2

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We were looking for a family-friendly route.
The chain ferry, which takes you there and back (if you want, because there is a small bridge 50 metres away that allows you to return to the car park via the main road), is a definite plus, especially for younger children. When you get off the ferry (right or left), you can take the route in either direction, just follow the little yellow signs with the frog (toad?) and the bicycle. The viewpoint is still closed because the floor seems to be in poor condition, but the landscape is pleasant.
All in all, everyone was delighted.

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plache
plache

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting walk, with the pleasant surprise of crossing the ferry. However, it should be noted that the viewpoint was inaccessible for technical reasons (stability of the promontory) and seemed to have been so for some time. You can choose to shorten the walk and not go to the viewpoint, as you will have to retrace your steps after seeing it anyway. So choose to continue to the left when the route sends you to the right towards the viewpoint!!!

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Joker1
Joker1

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Shaved

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Baladesesvriennes
Baladesesvriennes

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At first, the signposting is ambiguous, but we are quite used to it, so we didn't take the right path but we caught up.

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Evmo
Evmo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk with magnificent scenery. It felt like we were in the mountains. Not surprising in the Alpes Mancelles.

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OTAM
OTAM

Thank you for your feedback! It will help us improve the trails.

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godillotsaoul
godillotsaoul

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

mainly original by the chain bin

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polo3535
polo3535

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

very good and very original with the crossing of the Sarthe river on the chain ferry
but the view over the valley is a bit disappointing, as is the layout of the viewing area (no benches and no space to enjoy the view)

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jean.grandin@bbox.fr
jean.grandin@bbox.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The ferry is in operation.

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grandin
grandin ★

Thanks for the information, Azimut71

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Azimut71
Azimut71
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

By mid-September, the ferry was operational.
The path downhill after the feudal mound is very pleasant; the rest of the route is less so (except for the ferry).

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grandin
grandin ★

Thanks for the information. As this bin has been out of service since July, I will add a warning to the description

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