The old stones of Mont Castre

Climb to the top and travel through the centuries. This former stone quarry, converted into a lake, offers a pleasant stroll through the heart of the bocage. You will pass along the old railway tracks, now greenways. You will also pass along the old path taken by the wagons that brought stones to Lithaire station for transport to Paris and its major construction projects. Around the pond, you will see the old castle, the old church and the remains of a Neolithic alleyway. Don't miss the 180° view of the surrounding area.

Details

32250092
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 89 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 88 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 120 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 27 m

Description of the walk

Park at the car park by the Mont Castre lake.
Yellow markings.

(S/E) Head towards the lake. Before walking along the lake, take the path that climbs to the left, then cross the playground to join the forest path on the right. This path skirts the lake to reach the higher ground.

(1) Continue straight on along the path that runs alongside the lake to reach a covered walkway.

(2) Continue on to reach Lithaire Castle.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the same path until you reach the junction with Rue de la Vieille Église at the end of the path

(4) Turn right, then keep left on the same street for 1 km.

(5) After crossing the River Senelle, you will reach the junction with Rue du Bocage.

(6) Turn right onto it. Continue for just 100 m, then turn right onto the Voie Verte. After the station, take the track once used by the wagons that transported stone from the quarry. Continue straight on for 1,200 m to reach the junction with a farm track.

(7) Take this on your left, then turn right about 60 metres further on. Follow the track for 800 m, then turn right onto Route du Plessis. Continue for 400 m to reach the hamlet known as La Gare, which takes its name from the famous Lithaire station mentioned earlier.

(8) Cross the greenway, then turn immediately right onto a forest track. This splits in two after 150 metres; keep to the right and continue straight on for 1,400 metres to return to the lake car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 83 m - Car park by the lake
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 120 m - View of the bocage
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 118 m - Allées Couvertes du Bois de la Plesse (Montsenelle)
  4. 3 : km 1.15 - alt. 106 m - The castle and the church in the Middle Ages
  5. 4 : km 1.49 - alt. 84 m - Rue de la Vieille Église
  6. 5 : km 2.4 - alt. 47 m - Senelle (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Douve
  7. 6 : km 2.63 - alt. 46 m - The Greenway
  8. 7 : km 3.98 - alt. 40 m - Carefour path
  9. 8 : km 5.2 - alt. 44 m - The Station
  10. S/E : km 6.9 - alt. 83 m - Car park by the lake

Worth a visit

(S/E) Lake: a former quarry redeveloped since 1994 as a leisure area. Operated industrially from 1860 to 1978, the extracted rock was used for road and pavement ballast.

(1) This small hill is known as the ‘impregnable hill’... or almost so; this was also the experience of the American soldiers here in July 1944. Dominating the landscape from one coast to the other, the Germans only relinquished it after ten days of fierce fighting and thousands of casualties on both sides.

(2) Covered passageway: rediscovered in 1966, these are ancient burial sites dating from the late Neolithic period, around 2000 BCE. They are the remains of the first settled communities on the hill.

(3) Château Lithaire: the seat of a large seigneury under William the Conqueror, dismantled in the early 13th century.

(3) Saint-Thomas Church: now little more than a romantic ruin since it was abandoned in 1897 and a new church was built in the heart of the present-day village.

After (6) The greenway is the former railway line that, from 1894, linked Barneville to Carentan. Running from east to west, it provided a link to the capital via the Paris–Cherbourg line.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Caro50620
Caro50620

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a great route, especially the first part. Very easy to do with beautiful things to see.

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manjo
manjo

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful first part, but it's a shame that after the ruined church, the route is punctuated by aggressive dogs, either alone or in packs.

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Grol
Grol
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Two atmospheres: around the lake it's great (discovery trail), but the long straight stretch on the greenway is much less so. It's still very easy and enjoyable, but I'd say that the difference with the discovery trail is only of interest to athletes.

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Leclercq Edmond
Leclercq Edmond

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The section around Mount Castre is very pleasant, and is the highlight of this hike, with the ruins of the castle and church. The other part is just walking...
Edmond

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desvre
desvre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful route with stunning views.

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Agenceur
Agenceur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike alternating between open and shaded sections. It's a shame that there are a few sections on tarmac roads, but fortunately they are not the majority. Personally, I completed the hike in 1 hour 35 minutes, but I admit that I didn't stop to read all the information boards about the historical monuments along the route, and I walk fast!

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