Nature trail in Craménil

The walk starts at the car park between Craménil church and the cemetery.

(S/E) Facing the porch, walk round the right-hand side of the church to reach the D254. Follow signs for “Les Tourailles”. When you reach the town hall, turn left towards “La Grivagère”. In the woods, sit on the stones of the low walls and listen carefully to learn about birds.

(1) Carry on and, at the three-way junction, turn right onto the path known as the “Chemin du Paradis”. Stop before crossing the road. In front of you stands an oak tree that was once trained as a pollard. This technique involves regularly cutting back the top of the tree to harvest firewood: the top of the trunk is swollen, and the main branches all grow from the same level. Continue along the path opposite. Stop at the two field entrances facing each other on either side of the path.

(2) The field on your right is typical of a ‘pré bocager’: a permanent grassland (in place for over five years) surrounded by hedgerows, which is either grazed or mown. This habitat is home to a rich biodiversity and plays a major role in capturing carbon from the air! Carry on and,at the end of the path, turn right. At the road, continue to the right and then immediately left, following the wayside cross. You are walking along an old sunken lane, the embankments of which are still visible. The muddy ground is ideal and bears the marks of walkers’ footsteps... And animals! On the embankments, look out for the paths formed by their movements: to get about more quickly, animals often follow the same routes. At the end of the path, take the path on the left. At the crossroads, take the path on the right. Leave the main path, which turns left, and carry on straight ahead along the small path lined with hedgerows.

(3) As you walk along this path, take a look at the trees and shrubs in the hedgerows. They provide many benefits: shade, timber, shelter for animals… and fruit, which you can enjoy too! Also note the wild medlar and the blackthorn. When you reach the road, turn right onto it and then take the first street on the left. After 250 metres, there’s an optional detour to explore the Chêne-Sec bridge (2.5 km round trip). Otherwise, carry on straight ahead. Take the second path on the right towards “Pont de la Motte”. The path you’re taking is a “sunken path”: high embankments, roots intertwined with stones, and distinctive vegetation (hazel trees, Venus’s navels, etc.).

(4) It is also home to the common dormouse, a small, discreet tree-dwelling rodent that is very much present in these countryside areas. At the bottom of the road, turn left towards the Chemin de la Fontaine. When you reach the D254, cross it carefully, walk back up the road and take the first path on the left to reach the Pont de la Motte.

(5) On the bridge, take in the lovely view of the village. Beneath your feet flows the Rouvre, a tributary of the Orne which is home to a few European otters! Retrace your steps and carefully walk back up the D254 to the left until you reach your starting point (S/E).

(1) Can you hear them? If you stay silent for a few seconds, a soundscape emerges: warblers, finches… Download the MerlinBird app to find out which birds are around you!