The Knights of Huile

The perfect family outing, this route will introduce you to the Bourget-en-Huile and Pontet marshes.
You will learn about the flora and fauna, the marshes, how they were formed and how they are being restored. There is also information about the woods and mining, castles and even Hannibal. All this is provided by information points along the route. A booklet offering a fun approach to the trail is on sale at the Chalet du Verney.

Details

628072
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 92 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 88 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 910 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 818 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Bourget-en-Huile, park in the large Verney car park near a bar-restaurant and below the church.

(S/E) From the car park, walk down to the playground, follow the fence, cross the D207 and, after 50 metres on the right, leave the road and take the path on the left.

(1) Follow the path upstream along the Gelon. Cross the river, continue along the Gelon and you will reach a track. Turn slightly left, rejoin the path that goes upstream along the Gelon on the other bank and you will reach a fork.

(2) Cross the Gelon and walk through the Bourget marsh, staying on the marked trail, then join a track.

(3) Take the path on the left which climbs gently into the forest. This pleasant path veers slightly away from the Gelon before crossing it via a footbridge. You will come to a track.

(4) Follow this track to the right to explore the Pontet marsh: here too, stay on the marked path.

(5) Retrace your steps.

(4) Go back up the track, cross the D207 and climb 50 metres towards La Côte.

(6) Take the stony path on the left and climb up to the coast. Cross the hamlet following the road, descend towards Les Amiers and, at the exit of this hamlet, take the path that descends between two fences and reaches the D207.

(7) Cross the road to discover the Source des Fontaines (picnic area) and then continue.

(2) Take the same route as on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 822 m - Car park at the Chalet du Verney
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 820 m - Path along the edge of the - Gélon (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 0.79 - alt. 821 m - Turn right towards the Bourget Marsh
  4. 3 : km 1.07 - alt. 827 m - Start of the forest trail on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.71 - alt. 861 m - Track
  6. 5 : km 3.27 - alt. 864 m - Pontet Marsh
  7. 6 : km 3.95 - alt. 874 m - Stony path on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.32 - alt. 826 m - D207
  9. S/E : km 6.35 - alt. 822 m - Car park at the Verney chalet

Notes

Between (2) and (3), there is a platform allowing you to climb up and observe the marsh.
Along the Pontet marsh trail, you will find various information about the flora and fauna.

Worth a visit

Lodge in the Traversée des Amiers.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
jmcombe
jmcombe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 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 hike at the end of September; easy to do and follow, and very varied.
Highly recommended.

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roudier eric
roudier eric

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to do with children. Quite cool as there is quite a bit of undergrowth and river. We turned back at the crossroads as it was enough for the children, who don't walk very far, about 5 km

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Psab
Psab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

An easy hike, perfect for a peaceful and relaxing walk. The start is well shaded, and the return route takes you through peaceful little hamlets overlooking the river. A special mention to Michel for his warm welcome and friendliness.

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Gaëtan59
Gaëtan59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 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 hike, half of which is through the woods. It's fairly easy with children and offers some stunning scenery. I highly recommend it. Enjoy your walk! 😉👍

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Patrick 38660
Patrick 38660

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route accessible to all at the bottom of the Vallée des Huiles, with explanatory signs placed at regular intervals.

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opale
opale

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, well-marked short walk.
Great for children (game of the knights of Hüille on the themed panels).
Best to go at the end of June to admire the flora.

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gridoupoupoune
gridoupoupoune

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk, a little chilly in overcast weather but pleasant, easy for children and fun
I recommend it to everyone and we will definitely be going back often

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jeanlouis1961
jeanlouis1961

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

peaceful hike with a very well-marked route

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tachaintre
tachaintre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 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 family walk, ideal for children and during hot weather, with lots of woodland paths.
Magnificent scenery.
Very well signposted and the information points are as interesting for adults as they are for children.

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fbarthelemy05
fbarthelemy05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike, ideal for families with young children.
Best done in late June when more plants are in bloom.

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terredugranier
terredugranier

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

nice walk, but there aren't enough signs to know if you're on the right path. We had to use the GPS at one point. We did the walk with two children (aged 4 and 5) in about 3 hours.

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Lacantinebio
Lacantinebio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A wonderful family walk, shaded, along a stream. Then a walk in the marshes, with several sightings in the pond in the middle of the marshes.

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mariesweety
mariesweety

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

more of a stroll than a hike, but very pleasant for getting back into shape after physical problems. Virtually no flora or fauna
watch out for nettles along the Gelon on the way back to the finish point. Good marks for the educational signs at the start

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randonneur38
randonneur38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

i did it today. It must have rained heavily, and the walk became a nightmare at first, passing through the marsh, but fortunately it was enjoyable and very informative. I would not recommend doing it after rain. Family walk. Thank you again

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siskin
siskin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant walk to familiarise yourself with the local marshes, a wonderful effort to rehabilitate areas that were destined to disappear. It's a little early to observe rare local plants, but the information boards are very clear about the plants that have been preserved.
Educational panels provide information about local tree species and their use by local residents.
Well done!

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