Mortagne-au-Perche – Bellême, alternative route via Mauves-sur-Huisne

Start from Mortagne-au-Perche, in front of the Maison pour tous, Place du Tribunal.

(S) Head up Rue du Colonel Guérin, pass by the Church of Notre-Dame, and continue straight on along Rue Notre-Dame (market square on Saturday mornings). Cross Place de la République, using the pedestrian crossing, and continue along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Langis.
Turn left at the corner by a butcher’s shop onto Rue Moncacune, then immediately right down Ruelle des Loges, which runs alongside the rear of some beautiful Mortagne properties. Continue to the junction with Chemin des Loges.

(1) Turn left onto it and follow it downhill. Pass in front of a beautiful farmhouse enclosed by high stone walls, in a place known as Les Loges. Continue until you reach a road. Turn left onto it and then take the first path on the right to soon reach the Alençon–Condé-sur-Huisne Greenway.

(2) Turn left and follow it carefully. Pass through the old Mortagne-au-Perche railway station and continue along this route for a long distance. Cross the D272 at Les Feugerets, then pass several hamlets before reaching the crossroads by the Chauchis farm.

(3) Here, follow the signposting indicating a path across private land. An agreement between the local council and the landowners allows walkers to pass through. Please respect the area. On the right as you cross the bridge, the small tarmac path soon turns into a grassy track. Follow the D629 to the right for about a hundred metres, then turn left onto the path near the entrance to the Ferme des Rues. You will then reach the D256; turn right onto it for a few metres until you come to a Y-junction.

(4) Turn sharply left (180°), cross the Huisne, pass through the hamlet of Petit Bois and continue straight ahead along a series of lovely paths between hedgerows to reach the locality known as Pont.

(5) Turn 90° to the left, head towards the hamlet of Pinceloup, and continue straight on to reach the junction with the D284 near the Moulin de Landres. Turn right onto this road to quickly reach Landres Castle.

(6) Stay on the road and carry on until you reach the junction with the Chemin de l’Enfer.

(7) Turn left here to emerge onto the D283 road after the hamlet of Les Joncs.

(8) Turn right onto this road and follow it for about a hundred metres, then at^{the first} junction turn 90° to the left. You will reach the hamlet of La Tricotière. Continue on to reach the edge of the Bellême State Forest.

(9) Enter the forest, following the signposts to the right to reach a long, wide forest lane. Turn left onto this lane, passing the ‘Carrefour des Loges’ junction to reach the major ‘Sept Bras’ junction.

(10) Take a stony track to the right, then turn immediately left onto the Route Forestière de la Sablonnière Rouge. Continue along the edge of the forest until you reach the junction marking the exit from the forest.

(11) Turn left towards La Fouquerie.

(12) After La Même and just before the farm, turn right onto a long dirt track leading to Bellême. Then follow, in turn, Rue de la Fuie, Rue de Ronnel and Ruelle de Ronel, before finally turning right onto Boulevard Bansard des Bois to reach the Relais Saint-Louis (E), today’s stopover.

Before setting off on your hike, print out the maps and the guidebook and download the latest version of the GPX track from the Visorando website. In the event of any changes, always follow the signposting on the ground.
See the website of the Association Itinéraires Ruraux, which designed the Tour des Collines du Perche:
This alternative route also allows you to walk from Mortagne-au-Perche to Bellême without taking any roads. Another option: the TCP stage from Mortagne-au-Perche to La Perrière, plus the start of the stage from La Perrière to St-Germain-de-la-Coudre.

Mortagne-au-Perche
Situated in the heart of the Orne, amidst the hills and plains of the Perche, the charming little town of Mortagne-au-Perche boasts a remarkable historical, cultural and natural heritage. It attracts day-trippers, second-home owners and Parisians, who come here to recharge their batteries and mingle with the strollers at the Saturday morning market.
Take the time to wander through the narrow lanes, alleyways and cobbled streets of this ancient fortified town. As you pass the remains of the fortifications and ramparts, admire the simple beauty of the limestone, with its shades of pink, yellow and ochre – colours enhanced by the natural light that bathes the Perche region.
From the Porte Saint-Denis to the Saint-André crypt, via the remains of the former collegiate church, the Church of Notre-Dame, the town hall, and the cloister and Chapel of Saint-François – the construction of which was commissioned by Marguerite de Lorraine – you won’t be disappointed by your visit. The charm of the old town and the character of the area are the assets that set Mortagne-au-Perche apart, with its enclosed courtyards, ramparts and various neighbourhoods (Le Val, Le Pissot, the Bourg de Loisé, etc.)
Good to know: a heritage route to explore the different architectural styles, the lively squares and the most picturesque corners (Tourist Office). Restaurants and bars, as well as hotels and guesthouses, are on hand to welcome you. A stopover lodge is situated on the outskirts of Mortagne in the commune of Saint-Langis-Lès-Mortagne.

Bellême
Built on a rocky outcrop, Bellême is a medieval town full of character. As you pass under the^15th-century archway, you can stroll along Rue Ville Close with its colourful façades and 17th-, 18th- and^19th-century mansions. At the top of the town, the remains of the castle walls are still visible. From Place de l’Europe (formerly Place du Château), you’ll also enjoy a fine view of the flat-tiled roofs and the Church of Saint-Sauveur. In the distance, you’ll discover the hedgerow-dotted countryside of the Pays Bellêmois. Bellême is also a leisure destination, boasting an 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, a mini-golf course, and walking and mountain-biking trails.
To the north of the town, the Bellême state-owned forest is one of the most beautiful in France, renowned for its ancient oak trees. In autumn, over 1,100 species of mushrooms can be found there. Bellême is also a paradise for bargain hunters, with its many second-hand dealers. Restaurants, tea rooms, chocolate shops and bakeries also make Bellême a gastronomic destination not to be missed. Hotels and guesthouses are on hand to welcome you.
A stopover lodge is situated right in the heart of the town.

Mauves-sur-Huisne
You can take a detour to Mauves-sur-Huisne, where walkers can stock up on provisions. This linear village is situated in a bend of the River Huisne and makes for a pleasant stop.

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