The Limère sinkholes

The Limère sinkhole park is home to a regional curiosity: sinkholes, underground cavities recognisable by a slight depression colonised by unique vegetation. This short getaway, just a stone's throw from the town of Orléans-la-Source, is not only for geology enthusiasts but for all lovers of natural parks that inspire calm and rest.

Details

1939740
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 110 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 106 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park at the Limère sinkhole park. It can be reached by taking the Ardon road from La Petite Mérie, in Saint-Cyr-en-Val.

(S/E) From the access road, at the crossroads just after the double barrier marking the entrance to the park, continue along the path opposite.

(1) At the intersection, take the path on the right, marked by the red sign "rivière souterraine" (underground river). Before the footbridge that crosses the underground river, take the path on the right marked by the pink sign "petite doline" (small sinkhole). After 200 metres, take the path on the left that crosses the underground river, then turn onto the first path on the left marked by the pink sign "doline centrale" (central sinkhole).

(2) Keep to the right after the wooden barrier. At the bench, take the path on the right, marked by the green arrow "doline à siphon" (siphon sinkhole). Turn left after the wooden barrier onto the path marked by the green sign "doline à siphon". At the crossroads, take the path on the left, marked by the green sign "doline à siphon". Pass the information sign about the siphon sinkhole.

(3) At the crossroads, turn onto the path on the left, indicated by the green arrow sign "doline centrale" (central sinkhole). After 200 metres, turn right towards the large sinkhole. Pass the information panel about the large sinkhole. You can walk a few dozen metres into the forest towards the meadow to appreciate the extent of the large sinkhole. Retrace your steps to the information panel and continue along the path on the right, then turn left before the power lines, following the orange arrow at the information panel about game cover.

(4) At the intersection, take the path on the left, following the orange arrow marked "rivière souterraine" (underground river). At the next intersection, take the path on the left, following the orange arrow marked "doline centrale" (central sinkhole). When you reach a crossroads, follow the red arrow sign for "doline centrale" on the right.

(1) At the intersection, continue straight ahead, pass the double barrier to arrive at the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 109 m - Nature park car park
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 109 m - Common fork for outward and return journeys
  3. 2 : km 0.93 - alt. 107 m - On the right after the wooden barrier.
  4. 3 : km 1.5 - alt. 108 m - On the left, "central sinkhole".
  5. 4 : km 2.38 - alt. 109 m - On the left, "underground river".
  6. S/E : km 3.3 - alt. 109 m - Nature park car park

Notes

The site is equipped for people with reduced mobility.

Worth a visit

In April, the undergrowth is covered with a purple carpet of bluebells.

Stop and listen to the sounds of the forest, especially the variety of birdsong.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 27856377

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route with no steep slopes
Numerous and very interesting information panels providing details about the flora and fauna
Saw some deer
Well-maintained and clean route

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Marie 45
Marie 45

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely short hike, the sinkholes are a curiosity worth discovering.
You can extend this route as you wish by taking the paths on either side of the original route.
Have a nice day
Marie

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you, Philippe, for taking the time to share your comments.
Have a good day,
Jean-Louis

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Philippe1745
Philippe1745

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant route in a natural environment of interest

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you, Estelle and Vincent.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Louis

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Estelle et Vincent
Estelle et Vincent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
A short hike with the family on a Sunday afternoon in October: it was exactly what we were hoping for (and matched the descriptions).
A wooded trail with lots of informative signs (which will delight children... and adults), and even more enjoyable if you're interested in geology (the phenomenon of "sinkholes").
Thank you, Jean-Louis, for this discovery near Orléans.
Estelle and Vincent

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Jean-Louis Pinault
Jean-Louis Pinault

Thank you for your comments,
Jean-Louis

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cjl28
cjl28

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The plus: The hike is dotted with informative signs about sinkholes, and you can download puzzles for children to make the route more interesting.
The downside: the route is a bit short (barely an hour's walk) and lacks interest during the dry season. Best to come back when it has rained...

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