Trail around Lac de Saint-Agnan

With a surface area of 140ha, Lac de Saint-Agnan is a popular spot for fishing and family picnics. The tour of the lake is an easy stroll that offers a variety of views over the lake. It also offers the chance to discover a peat bog on a specially prepared path.

Details

126907
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 42 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 36 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 541 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 520 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking along the road near the Saint-Agnan war memorial, at the crossroads of the D226 and the small road leading down from the cemetery. Alternative parking at the foot of the church, on this small road.

From place to place, you'll find granite markers with the outline of the lake engraved in Blue (referred to as "LSA markers" in the description), as well as wooden signs with the same purpose.

Red and yellow markings

(S) With your back to the war memorial, turn right (east) onto the D226. Cross the River Cousin (signpost) and walk along the dike between Étang de la Chevrée (on your right) and the southern tip of Lac de Saint-Agnan (on your left). At the T junction, turn left onto the D226 towards Les Michaux (signposted).

No markings

(1) Shortly before the "Les Michaux" sign, look for a trailhead on the left (LSA marker, "Interdit aux véhicules à moteur" sign). Follow the path downhill along a meadow on your right. Then take the footbridge across the south-eastern end of the lake. This leads to a meadow and a new footbridge, which gives way to a footpath leading to a small road.

Red and yellow markings

(2) Turn left onto the small road. Go through a hamlet, then at a fork in the road, take the left-hand lane towards the nautical base (sign).

No markings

(3) At a fork in the road, leave the GRP® continue straight ahead on a track and turn left (east) at right-angles, onto a small tree-lined road (LSA marker).

(4) At the lakeside, turn right at an acute angle onto a track. Then take a wooden pontoon bridge over a peat bog. At the end of the pontoon, at a fork, take the left-hand path and walk along a fence on your right. At a fork in the road, turn right onto a new pontoon.
N.B. On the left, a path made up of two planks of wood leads to a dead end (return trip possible, but of little interest at present).
After leaving the pontoon, pass a chicane and return to a wide path.

 Red and yellow markings

(5) Turn left onto the wide track. At a fork in the road, turn left onto a path with a fence on your left and a hedge on your right. At a second fork, also left, into dark undergrowth. At a third junction, turn left again (signposted "No fires"). You'll reach the shore of the lake. The path widens and remains parallel to the lake shore, slightly set back and higher up. Reach the Saint-Agnan dam.

(6) Turn left onto the small road over the dam (not very high). After crossing the second weir, the road veers left.

Very rare Yellow marking + silhouettes of a hiker in Red
N.B. On the 1/25000 map, the path on the left bank of the lake, which we'll be following, is marked "GRP® de Pays du Tour du Morvan". This information is out of date, as the characteristic red and yellow GRP® markings are not to be found on this trail.

(7) Leave the road as it bends to the right and turn left onto a slightly downhill path. At a fork (wooden barrier), take the right-hand path (the left-hand path leads to the lake shore). The path winds through the undergrowth without ever straying far from the lake. Cross a few streams at the north-western end of the lake. Pass a wooden barrier, cross a small parking area, pass another wooden barrier and reach Chapelle Saint-Pierre (headstone).

Continue south behind the chapel on a path winding through fern undergrowth. Cross a path and continue straight ahead (red hiker silhouette). The path widens and climbs. Cross another track, continue straight ahead and, at the T-junction that follows, turn left. Stay on the main path through the forest, ignoring the trailheads at the sides. Go past a wooden barrier (LSA marker) and down a path. Follow the path through the pine forest, with a fenced-in meadow on your left. Climb slightly, pass a wooden barrier and come out onto a small road. Turn left and follow the small road back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 532 m - Monument to the dead - Église Saint-Agnan (Saint-Agnan)
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 540 m - Access path to the footbridge over the lake (south)
  3. 2 : km 1.5 - alt. 529 m - Access path to the footbridge over the lake (north)
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 530 m - Junction towards the water sports centre
  5. 4 : km 2.45 - alt. 523 m - Access to the peat bog path
  6. 5 : km 2.85 - alt. 530 m - Chicane leading to a wide road
  7. 6 : km 4.66 - alt. 524 m - Barrage du - Lac de Saint-Agnan
  8. 7 : km 4.92 - alt. 528 m - Start of the left bank path
  9. 8 : km 6 - alt. 523 m - Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Saint-Agnan)
  10. S/E : km 8.36 - alt. 532 m - Monument to the dead - Église Saint-Agnan (Saint-Agnan)

Notes

Many sections may remain wet even in early summer. Although the trail has been adjusted at the trickiest points, shoes suitable for wet or slippy terrain are recommended.

The wooden footbridge that crosses the tip of the lake between (1) and (2) has a sideways slope (due to a collapse of the supporting posts on one side?). After an episode of rain or in wet weather, this footbridge can be slippery. If, in these circumstances, the trail proves too challenging, turn back, take the GRP® to the left in(1) and turn left in the hamlet of Les Michaux to return to the route in(2).

No water on the route. Bar-restaurant in Saint-Agnan.

Map 1/25000 useful.

Hiked three times by the author, the first on October 30, 2003, the last on June 14, 2015.

Worth a visit

Numerous beautiful views over the lake.

Between (4) and (5), bog trail with information panels.

At the Saint-Pierre chapel (8) headstone in tribute to the Vauban maquis. During the winter of 1943-1944, the chapel served as a refuge for the maquis (period photo inside the chapel).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 60 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
MaestroSica
MaestroSica

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family hike in a bucolic setting. Very easy route to follow. Very few people encountered on this sunny day in March. The path is very well maintained.

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello JLC30, thank you for your feedback.

I have deleted the comment about the footbridge between (1) and (2), which at the time was very steep. I have kept the option open for those who wish to avoid using the footbridge.

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JLC30
JLC30
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike with superb scenery, especially with the autumn colours. The trail is very well equipped and maintained. The comment about the footbridges between (1) and (2) in the practical information is no longer justified, as the footbridges have undoubtedly been rebuilt. This route is very peaceful and serene at this time of year.
Thank you.

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User 15644079

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
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

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Chrstll
Chrstll
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed in very hot weather, fortunately most of the route is in the shade.
There are lots of nice little coves where you can lay down your towel and enjoy the lake.
😎😎😎

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Mag81
Mag81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

easy hike/walk, the part with the peat bogs is very nice, less liked the return with the road section

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SOGAU
SOGAU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, 2 hours

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doudou1951
doudou1951

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

There's nothing wrong with this route as opposed to others that are badly signposted and false.

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Jean-François Houtart
Jean-François Houtart

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well done for this very useful preparation!

Thank you so much!

Jean-François

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GEMO 36
GEMO 36

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy, pleasant walk with plenty of views of the lake and countryside.

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Or élie
Or élie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good walk, perfect route, it's a shame it's not accessible to everyone because of the damaged paths.

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cyclomarcheur21
cyclomarcheur21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This trail complements the Pierre qui Vire abbey trail.
Several places to stop for refreshments.
A welcoming bar along the route, at the equestrian centre.

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jérôme89
jérôme89
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk around the lake from the junction to the Pierre qui Vire abbey.

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Huggymon
Huggymon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful circuit, very well maintained, magnificent.

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randonneurfou89
randonneurfou89

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well signposted. The advantage is that the whole route is very close to the lake. An educational area for children ... and even adults ... on the search for the fragility of nature and the impact of our daily attitude.

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