The Hermit's Fountain Trail

Starting from the Fontaine-à-l'Ermite roundabout, the trail joins the lake shore and then follows the left bank of the Vendée river up to the Perrure bridge, before climbing up to the Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite, which will take you back to the starting point.
Please note that the trail is uneven and involves climbing over rocks along the Vendée.

Details

n°2343872

Creation:
31 Jul 2019

Last update:
25 Aug 2023

Last review:
10 Jun 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.90 km
Average duration: 1h 50
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 56 m
Descent: - 55 m
Highest point: 94 m
Lowest point: 34 m

Country: France
District: L'Orbrie (85200)
Start/End: N 46.507452° / W 0.760967°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1427SB
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Description of the walk

^PR® no. 6 - route recommended by the local council - yellow markings.

Park at the picnic area at the Rond-Point de la Fontaine à l'Ermite (intersection of Allée de Doreau, Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite and Route Forestière de la Balingue).

(S/E) Head towards the hiking information board and continue along Allée de la Balingue, which is closed to traffic by a log barrier.

(1) Leave the lane by turning onto a path on the right and descend to the river.

(2) Take the path on the right that runs alongside the Vendée. After a few hundred metres, the route becomes challenging as you have to climb over rocks that can be very slippery in wet weather. Continue to the road bridge that crosses the Vendée (Pont de Perrure).

(3) Just before this bridge, turn right twice onto a path that climbs into the forest.

(4) Take the rutted path on the right that climbs up and joins the Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite.

(5) Turn left onto Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite, which joins the round bridge at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 89 m - Rond-point de la Fontaine à l'Ermite
1 : km 0.81 - alt. 81 m - Path on the right
2 : km 1.58 - alt. 41 m - On the right: confluence of the Vendée and - Mère (rivière)
3 : km 4.49 - alt. 35 m - Path that climbs to the right before the bridge at - Vendée (rivière)
4 : km 4.68 - alt. 57 m - Turn right onto the path that goes uphill.
5 : km 5.18 - alt. 86 m - Turn left onto Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite.
S/E : km 5.9 - alt. 89 m - Rond-point de la Fontaine à l'Ermite

Notes

Shelter and picnic tables at the roundabout (S/E).
Information board at the start. Yellow marked route no. 6.

Wear sturdy shoes as the section along the Vendée requires some climbing over rocks that can be slippery.

Important: avoid this hike in rainy weather and especially if the waters of the Vendée are high, as some parts may be impassable.

Worth a visit

In addition to its national forest, Mervent, a very touristy town, offers all kinds of sporting, cultural and leisure activities.
For more information: http://www.mervent.fr/decouvrir-mervent/...

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

User 25797113

10 Jun 2025 at 07:47 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Arrival at the riverbank. We don't pay much attention to the scenery anymore. Instead, we focus on where we're stepping. The route is marked as difficult. Indeed, we have to choose between looking at our feet or the scenery.

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isabellebl

26 Jun 2023 at 08:45 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and challenging hike along the Vendée coast.
The shade along most of the route is very welcome in hot weather.

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ebrabants

20 Jun 2023 at 12:11 7200 • Edited: 20 Jun 2023 at 12:17 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A narrow path along the water, shaded with a few rocky sections.
At times, it feels like a mountain trail, minus the altitude.
Wear sturdy shoes: in wet weather, some rocky sections can be very slippery and other areas quite (or even very) muddy.
The trail is not particularly challenging, but you may need to use your hands to get through some sections.
The trail is well maintained and any trees obstructing it have been cut back.

We walked it out of season, during the week. We only passed one couple coming in the opposite direction.
You can tell that the trail is used, but it is not a "highway" for hikers.

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drapeau jean jacques

09 May 2022 at 17:16 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, this route is a must-do. It feels like you're in the Pyrenees, but without the altitude. In wet weather, you need to be very careful. In hot weather, the route is shaded by the forest.
Best regards

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maelsox

03 May 2021 at 12:02 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The sports trail has a few spots where you have to climb rocks, but the fallen trees have been cleared away, except for one spot where you still have to climb up the side, which is very steep and slippery.

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LASSEGUE Monique

19 Oct 2020 at 19:34 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Trail currently closed due to fallen trees in several places. Some difficult sections.
Steep trail on some parts of the route along the lake.
Very beautiful route.

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pinho85

20 Jul 2020 at 11:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, but quite challenging with rocks to climb over and, above all, several fallen trees that you have to go around on a very steep and slippery path. Superb views of the lake.

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d.brem

25 May 2020 at 10:50 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Trail rated as moderately difficult: the level is reasonable. However, I cut left between points 0 and 1 to extend the route and make it more interesting than this long straight line. Route completed with an 11-year-old child. There is a small technical section (rocks) which is enjoyable. In 3 or 4 places, the path is blocked by recently fallen trees. This requires a detour along the unstable hillside. Overall, a nice route along the water's edge with beautiful views. Worth doing.

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Picton79

30 Oct 2019 at 19:02 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

After Point 4, the oak forest was clear-cut. Path partially destroyed by machinery.

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noel26

12 Aug 2019 at 15:56 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good clothes and, above all, good shoes.

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