The Caracoins trail in Petit-Noir

The trail starts at the Caracoins trail sign, at the corner of Rue du Centre and Rue de la Pastorelle, at the foot of the church.

(S/E) Follow Rue de la Pastorelle eastwards. Take the first right, Rue du Pays Neuf, then the first left, staying on the same street. At a triangular crossroads, turn right and continue straight ahead until you reach the dyke that protects the village from flooding by the Doubs.

(1) Continue along the dyke on the left (north). At the next junction, follow a white path on the left.

(2) Cross the D13 and continue opposite on Rue de la Charmée. Follow the dead arm of the Doubs on your left (pollarded willows, reed beds) and ignore a path on your right, then another street.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left into Rue Lavigne and pass over the dead arm of the river.

(4) After about 300 m, turn right onto a grassy path (not shown on the map). Just before the houses, you will arrive at an educational area called the "coin des têtard" (pollarded corner). Turn right and cross a small bridge over the dead arm of the river. On the other side, turn left and follow the dead arm of the river on your left.

(5) You will come out onto Rue des Bruleux. Follow it to the left and cross the Doubs backwater again. At the crossroads that immediately follows, continue along Rue de la Mairie. Go straight ahead until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Parking is available next to the church or town hall.

Bring your binoculars and observe the wildlife!

A guide flyer is available at: https://www.reserve-iledugirard.org/espaces-naturels-sensibles

You can also discover silhouettes of wild species hidden in the backwater.