Grand Hazé Marshes

A family walk in the largest wetland area in the Orne department. Located in the Houlme region, at the heart of the Normandy bocage, the Grand Hazé is a landscape of 200 hectares of ponds, peat bogs, reed beds and peaty woods.

Details

25098843
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.47 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 10 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 10 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 686 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 669 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Briouze (61220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.699834° / W 0.3793°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1515SB, 1615SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from a small car park located just outside Briouze, signposted “Marais du Grand Hazé”.
The route is signposted throughout with small “Route du Grand Hazé” signs

(S/E) Head back along the access road to the car park.

(1) When the road bends to the right, take a path on the left. Follow a stream and, for part of the way, walk along small footbridges over the marsh. The route is shaded. At a T-junction, turn right until you reach a small bridge.

(2) Then turn left (do not cross the bridge) until you reach the T-junction. Depending on the season, you may see horses in the meadow on the left.

(3) Turn left and you’ll come to a road.

(4) Follow it to the left for a few hundred metres.

(5) When the road bends to the right, turn left onto a stony path. Walk alongside the marsh, which is more or less wet depending on the season (during a drought, you may see the cracked ground). Wind your way between a few pools and arrive at a junction.

(6) Turn right and cross a stream via a small bridge. About 150 m further on, turn left onto a path that winds through the grass to a junction.

(7) Take a stony path on the left. Continue straight ahead,noting the birdwatching posts on the left. Cross a stream and arrive at a junction with a road.

(8) Follow the road to the left and, at the Fork in the road shortly afterwards, turn left. Return to the original junction.

(1) Continue along the access road to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 676 ft - Car park - Marais du Grand Hazé
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 676 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 676 ft - Crossroads - Bridge
  4. 3 : mi 1.13 - alt. 676 ft - T-junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.71 - alt. 682 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.95 - alt. 686 ft - Start of the trail
  7. 6 : mi 2.92 - alt. 673 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 3.36 - alt. 682 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 4.1 - alt. 682 ft - Crossroads
  10. S/E : mi 4.47 - alt. 676 ft - Car park - Marais du Grand Hazé

Notes

In wet weather, wear shoes suitable for walking through muddy areas. Part of the route runs along small wooden walkways raised above the ground.

The time given by the author (2½ hours) is based on a leisurely walk and includes time for birdwatching.

Worth a visit

Birdwatching hides in the marsh, set up in the fences lining the path towards the end of the route.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Mister61
Mister61

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk. I’d like to thank a friend for introducing me to this app.

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Goultard
Goultard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful walk! Very accessible, a fantastic route through a protected nature reserve, very well maintained, with viewing points for birdwatching! Not to be missed!!

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DidierE
DidierE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very easy trail through the marsh (please note that it is largely closed between 15 October and 15 April) with numerous boardwalks and vantage points for birdwatching.
The path is quite overgrown in places, so it gets wet after rain and is best avoided if you’re worried about mosquitoes (which is to be expected in a marsh).
It serves as a jogging route for local residents.

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