The Orne Valley

The Orne valley, upstream from the city of Caen.
This circuit invites you to discover both banks of the Orne River north of Thury-Harcourt.
Description and route slightly out of date in places, see reviews for alternatives

Technical sheet

2921
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 440 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 441 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 136 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 14 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(/A) The Pont de Brie / Auberge car park

From the Pont de Brie, follow the road south towards Neumer. In a wide right-hand bend, take the path on the left.

(1) Go around Le Bosq d'Aulne on the left. Pass Le Val Roy by taking the path on the left and arrive at Val de Cropton.

(2) Take the path on the right. It climbs up into the valley. Cross the D212 after turning left, continue through the valley until you reach an intersection.

(3) Take the path on the left and continue to a crossroads where there is a wayside shrine.
Cross the D234, then turn right towards "La Métairie" and immediately take the road on the left.
Take the road on the right and continue to Le Hom.

(4) Cross the first bridge, go through the Tranchée, then cross a second bridge.
After a left turn, leave the D121 via the road on the right. After passing the water treatment plant, this road leads to the D6. Take it to the left towards Thury-Harcourt. Cross the bridge over the Orne and immediately turn right.

(5) Cross the level crossing, turning left. After the entrance to the castle grounds on your left, take the street on the left to join the main street in Thury-Harcourt. Continue straight ahead.

(6) Take the first road on the left. Pass behind the swimming pool, taking the path on the left, then cross the small bridge and turn right to follow the pond to the north. Before the campsite, take the path on the left and climb up to the D562.

(7) Take care when crossing the D562. Take the road opposite, leaving the road on your left after the bend

Red and whiteGR®36signposts

and turn left at the crossroads.

(8) Before Saint Silly, take the path downhill to the right.

  • At the railway line, climb up the path on the right, then take the path on the left. Descend down the hillside. Ignore the two paths on the right.

::9: Take the path on the right, then turn left onto the lane to cross Le Breuil. At the three-way junction, keep right.

(10) Take the path on the left.

  • Follow theGR®36signs carefully: after a right-hand bend, the path makes a hairpin bend to the left, cross the bridge and follow the railway line, ignoring all the paths on the right.

(11) Cross the bridge over the stream and climb up the path opposite that leads to Brieux.

End of the red and whiteGR®36markings, which turn right

(12) Turn left and descend to reach the car park of the Auberge near the Pont de Brie (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 22 m - Car park at the Auberge near the Pont de Brie - Orne (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 1.03 - alt. 36 m - Turn left
  3. 2 : km 2.68 - alt. 20 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 4.4 - alt. 93 m - Take the hairpin bend on the left
  5. 4 : km 6.8 - alt. 24 m - Continue straight ahead to cross the Orne River
  6. 5 : km 7.78 - alt. 27 m - Turn left to cross the railway line
  7. 6 : km 8.31 - alt. 53 m - Road on the left
  8. 7 : km 9.13 - alt. 76 m - Cross the D562
  9. 8 : km 9.99 - alt. 81 m - Path on the right
  10. 9 : km 13.09 - alt. 48 m - Turn right
  11. 10 : km 14.05 - alt. 61 m - Path on the left
  12. 11 : km 15.44 - alt. 20 m - Cross the bridge, then turn left
  13. 12 : km 16.55 - alt. 67 m - Road on the left
  14. S/E : km 17.32 - alt. 22 m - Car park at the Auberge near the Pont de Brie

Practical information

  • The Pont de Brie bridge is located approximately 20 km south-west of Caen on the D562 and D171 roads after Les Moutiers-en-Cinglais.
  • White and red markings (GR®36Variant andGR®36) to Brieux
  • White markings until the Brie bridge
  • Steep climb around the 11th kilometre.

In the nearby area

Thury-Harcourt:
Remains of a 17th-century castle (18th-century chapel, pavilions, moat, floral park)
13th-century church
Leisure centre - Water sports centre
Pontécoulant:
16th-18th century castle

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 31 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Chris24
Chris24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful route. According to the reviews, I left the route at point 5 to go directly to point 7 without passing through the campsite. Magnificent views of the valley, this route alternates between woodland and fields.

Automatically translated

LoloTete
LoloTete

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb discovery. Best visited in early spring when the flowers are in bloom. Please note that some access routes may be flooded during winter.
Not to be missed!

Automatically translated

dufourt76
dufourt76

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent route, especially on the way back. The views of the Orne are superb. There is no one around.
The passage at the exit of Thury-Harcourt-le-Hom after the water sports centre and on arrival at the campsite is not signposted. The direct climb up the slope is not for everyone. It would be better to take the GR section to avoid this passage.

Automatically translated

seullines
seullines

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Automatically translated

Mick88
Mick88
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Orne Valley. The trail is well marked. I followed the route on my GPS.
When I got to point 6, I had no trouble finding the little path on the left before the campsite. It starts on the left shortly after the sign saying "passage réservé aux campeurs uniquement" (passage reserved for campers only). It is not maintained and is steep, then very steep in the last few metres. You have to climb over two barbed wire fences, the highest of which is 40 cm above the ground just before the safety barrier. It comes out right in front of the small road you need to take. The ground was dry when I went through, but the last few metres are very difficult.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND TAKING THIS ROAD.

Automatically translated

André Caillet
André Caillet

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

There is a serious error in the description of the hike through Thury Harcourt
on the 6th: ....Before the campsite, take THE PATH ON THE LEFT AND CLIMB up to the D562
This path no longer exists and it is very dangerous to CLIMB ...

Automatically translated

Sherpani
Sherpani

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Please note: change of route!

Magnificent landscapes and a very beautiful hike, but at point 6 near the campsite, the path connecting the banks of the Trapsy to the road is impassable and even very dangerous.
This path, which is hidden by vegetation, is no longer maintained. The route, which was signposted, seems to have been changed and now avoids the Hom trench. When leaving point 4, follow the new GR route and avoid passing through Thury. This will take you to Saint Silly via the D 121.
To finish this hike, the views of the Orne loops are spectacular

Automatically translated

jdum
jdum

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant hike but the description is not detailed enough. In particular, the trail before the Thury Harcourt campsite is impossible to find. We went back several times without success. You have to climb through a copse to the road safety barrier. Another point: at the end of the route, before joining the greenway, there were no more GR36 signs. We came across other hikers who were also lost.

Automatically translated

mino14
mino14

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

very well signposted route, so you can leave the map in your backpack. Beautiful views of the Orne valley. Picnic tables and toilets at the old Thury-Harcourt station halfway along the route.

Automatically translated

Kamike
Kamike

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This route is very interesting with magnificent views and beautiful woodland.
However, I find it difficult at this time of year with some very tricky, even dangerous sections.
There are two or three extremely physically demanding climbs.
The same goes for a descent at the end of Thury Harcourt.
No doubt it's easier in summer. However, at this time of year, you had to be brave to complete this circuit when it was completely soaked.
I'm very satisfied to have done it in these somewhat apocalyptic conditions.
Luckily, we were in excellent physical condition.

Automatically translated

benoitrando
benoitrando

it is precisely this faint trace that must be used (which is really not obvious)

Automatically translated

JF5
JF5

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant hike, well marked (GR), well-maintained trail.
There was a tiny difficulty at point 6 on the map: after walking along the north bank of the lake, I couldn't find the path leading back up to the D562, even though I went as far as the entrance to the campsite (or maybe I missed it...). I followed a faint trail that went straight up the embankment, which was very steep and overgrown with brambles, and came out at the top of the road, right opposite the small road to Silly.
The section between points 8 and 10 on the map, on the convex bank of the Orne, offers a beautiful view of the river and is very pleasant to walk along.
I saw hardly anyone, perhaps because of the season.
Thanks to the author of the guidebook!

Automatically translated

Jonature14
Jonature14

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Please note point 6 on the map: Do not take the first road on the left to pass behind the Thury Harcourt swimming pool to join and cross the D562 (the passage no longer exists due to lack of maintenance). so, at point 6 on the map at the Thury Harcourt swimming pool, continue to follow the D 562 (uphill) to reach point 7 and resume the normal route. Otherwise, no complaints. I really enjoyed this hike.

Automatically translated

fredchristine14
fredchristine14

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The written information is not precise enough if you don't have GPS or a mobile network on your smartphone
But in good weather, the route is very pleasant and not very busy
Even the locals no longer know the paths to enjoy nature

Automatically translated

benoitrando
benoitrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike (exactly to my taste, I even added 5 km for the pleasure of the eyes), consisting of varied landscapes and breathtaking monuments. An excellent route that requires good physical fitness in some places.
The passage along the campsite at Thurit-Harcourt is easy to find, but the trail itself is a little complicated.
There is a tree in the middle of the trail, but it's no big deal, just a small detour and after that the trail is visible again after 20 metres.
Ignore the sign saying "passage réservé aux campeurs uniquement" (passage reserved for campers only). Once past this sign, climb the small hill on the left to find a faint trail and, a few metres further on, climb the hill (we are at the beginning of spring, so there will be people passing through and the trail will be much more visible). At the top of this hill, I managed to find the right place to cross the D562 (be careful, this is a dangerous crossing due to the speed of the cars).
Point 8 is very physically demanding, and in wet weather I'm not sure it's worth attempting (use your own judgement), as the slope is very steep.
Thanks Fred14170 for sharing the route of this great circuit.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.