A short circular loop near Marlhes

Park at the charming hamlet of Les Chaizes.

(S/E) Walk through the hamlet, heading south down towards a small stream. After fording the stream, the path climbs slightly and follows the edge of the wood towards the south-west; do not take the smaller paths that lead up into the forest.

(1) When the main path begins to descend towards the hollow of the small valley on the right, turn off onto the smaller path which climbs to the left, due south, between two fields.

(2) Further up, at the junction about a hundred metres after passing a house on the right, take the path on the left, then follow the main route (the steepest one) into the Bois des Cartaires.

(3) At a cross, continue to the right and arrive, at the edge of the woods, at a crossroads.

(4) Turn left and, as you leave the woods, follow the (relatively) wide path that runs flat to the right towards the north-east instead of continuing straight on downhill, then stay on this fairly level main path, heading north-east, until you reach a junction with a large house below on the left.

(5) Follow the track to the left, heading north-north-west, which joins a road. Continue left along this road, passing the houses.

(6) At the bend in the road, head down a path. At the end of this path, you’ll come to a tarmac section for a few hundred metres, until you reach a house in the middle of the fields.

(7) Continue along the track heading due west, then, after crossing a stream, climb gently back up towards a road. Follow this road to the left, sloping gently westwards, and return to the hamlet of Les Chaizes (S/E).

The route is half in the shade and half in the sun, so remember to take some water and something to protect yourself from the sun