The green lung of the Arch

With 350 hectares of forest, 60% of which is made up of conifers such as maritime pines and Scots pines, this trail located at the Arche de la Nature offers hikers a breath of fresh air.

Details

1844901
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.67 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 84 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 50 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Verger car park at the Rue de l'Esterel leisure park after the roundabout.

Green markings

(S/E) Turn left, heading due east on the PR®.

(1) At the crossroads, leave the path on your right and continue straight ahead for 100 metres. Turn left then right at the edge of the woods (altitude 50 metres). Enter the woods on the right and follow the wooded paths which occasionally run alongside remarkable meadows.

(2) Continue straight ahead. At the crossroads, turn right and continue for 100 metres. Under the power line, turn left onto a path, keeping the power line on your right. Pass two paths on your left and continue under the power line until you reach an intersection.

White-red and green markings

(3) Turn right. Then, at the crossroads, turn right again and continue for 100 metres.

Green markings. The path is not shown on the IGN map.

(4) Turn left for 300 metres, then turn right and 250 metres further on, turn left. Leave the woods and walk along the edge. You will come to a crossroads. Turn right for 40 metres.

(5) Enter the woods on the left. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead.

(6) Pass by a mysterious pond called "la mare aux poissons rouges" (the goldfish pond), then head towards the southern part of the forest. Cross the D152 (Route de l'Epau) and turn right.

(7) Picnic tables, continue straight ahead. Pass a four-way crossroads and arrive at another T-junction. Turn right.

(8) Before the hamlet of "Les Granges", continue to the left, then pass "Les Étangs Chauds" and return north towards Route de l'Epau.

(9) Near the Maison de la Forêt, pass by the playground surrounded by sculpted trees. Cross the D152 again and head towards the Verger car park via the leisure park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 59 m - Verger car park
  2. 1 : km 0.48 - alt. 57 m - Continue straight along the main path.
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 56 m - Straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 3.87 - alt. 68 m - Turn right
  5. 4 : km 4.38 - alt. 67 m - Turn left.
  6. 5 : km 5.45 - alt. 61 m - Turn left.
  7. 6 : km 6.43 - alt. 64 m - The goldfish pond
  8. 7 : km 7.34 - alt. 83 m - Picnic tables
  9. 8 : km 7.69 - alt. 81 m - Place known as "Les Granges"
  10. 9 : km 10.05 - alt. 66 m - Carved trees
  11. S/E : km 10.67 - alt. 59 m - Verger car park

Notes

Green markings from (S) to (3).
White-red and green markings from (3) to (4).
Green markings from (4) to (E).
(7) Picnic tables.

Worth a visit

(6) You are standing in front of an artificial pond that hosted a procession from the early 20th century until the Second World War. The procession came from the church of Yvré l'Evêque and passed through the grounds of the Château de l'Arche. The water source (located 20 metres away) flowed into this cylindrical basin. From the basin, a trickle of water flowed continuously onto a statue of the Virgin Mary nestled in a small masonry cave (below on your left).
During this ritual, farmers made offerings to the Virgin Mary to ensure good harvests.
Today, the pond has been cleaned and is home to many protected amphibians such as the marbled newt.
La Prairie farm.
Cistercian Abbey of L'Epau.

(9) Carved trees.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
GANA72
GANA72

Thank you for your rating.

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User 25218410

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route together to prepare for an upcoming hike.
The app worked very well with the help of the route on the map.
The details to follow could be more detailed, particularly with regard to the landmarks indicated on site.

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GANA72
GANA72

Thank you for your rating

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boucolijafbon
boucolijafbon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Used by following the GPS track.
A beautiful route, often shaded, winding through varied woodlands.

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GANA72
GANA72

Thank you for your comments

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Pou95
Pou95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was 33°C, and the hike was mostly in the shade. The route was very easy and very pleasant, through a beautiful and varied forest.

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JFBeauplet
JFBeauplet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy route, suitable for families.

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danyyvréen
danyyvréen

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy hike with no difficulties. I recommend it for relaxation.

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GANA72
GANA72

Thank you for your comment.

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sarvie
sarvie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful 13 km hike near Le Mans. I recommend it in all seasons.
Magnificent under the frost.

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GANA72
GANA72

Thank you for your comment.

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Sevva
Sevva

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk that is easily accessible to all.

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Claude7222
Claude7222

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

good route

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