The Little Bridges Walk at Saint-Michel

A short, peaceful walk around the little streams in the forest.

Details

n°24101370

Creation:
17 Jul 2022

Last update:
12 Jan 2026

Last review:
11 Jan 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.20 mi
Average duration: 1h 10
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 157 ft
Descent: - 157 ft
Highest point: 807 ft
Lowest point: 640 ft

Country: France
City: Saint-Michel (02830)
Start/End: N 49.923434° / E 4.162544°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2808E
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Photos

Description of the walk

On leaving Saint-Michel towards Watigny via the D31, take the last road on the left. Head down into the woods to the car park before the ford.

(S/E) Continue along the road to the bridge over the Gland.

(1) After the first bridge, take the path on the right to the next bridge over the Grand Riaux.

(2) After this bridge, turn left and follow the Grand Riaux stream along the shaded path until you descend to the right to a new bridge, where you’ll join a wide path.

(3) Cross this bridge and follow the wide path. At the signpost showing a woodpecker, turn left and continue along this path. Cross the small ford (depending on the season) and continue until you reach a tree lying across the path.

(4) Head down to the far left, following in the footsteps of previous walkers. You’ll come to another signpost topped with the same woodpecker. Carry on to the end of the path, then head back up the Route Forestière des Faux to the first bridge you come to.

(1) Carry on straight along the road to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 650 ft - Car park before the ford
1 : mi 0.08 - alt. 640 ft - Crossroads at the end of the circular loop
2 : mi 0.33 - alt. 653 ft - Bridge over the - Gland (rivière)
3 : mi 1.03 - alt. 719 ft - Bridge
4 : mi 1.43 - alt. 807 ft - A fallen tree lies across the path
S/E : mi 2.2 - alt. 650 ft - Car park before the ford

Notes

Shaded in summer except on the cleared section of the forest track.
In wet weather, make sure you wear sturdy footwear. The ground can be muddy.

Worth a visit

At the right time of year, you can spot blueberries and mushrooms, and watch crayfish under the third bridge.
You may also spot roe deer.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

User 9947728

11 Jan 2026 at 16:34 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very charming short hiking route. We did it in the snow. It is a bit hilly and follows a stream. There are a few trees across the path. The route is not easy to follow from the halfway point and requires referring to the app. One section is not very well maintained, but it has its charm.

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LimborgJC

05 Jun 2024 at 14:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short walk. Coming from Saint Michel, take the first path on the right after the footbridge at “La Passe au Bois Sec” (first bridge); then cross the Grand Rioux twice (second and third bridges) and return to La Passe au Bois Sec via the forest track. The Visorando map is spot on, with just a few millimetres’ discrepancy at the start of the path, but that’s no big deal. It was a bit muddy on 31 May, and the two bridges over the Grand Rioux were a bit slippery – you can’t control the weather! Didn’t see a soul that day.

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morgane1978

04 Dec 2023 at 12:13 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to share my thoughts on this walk, as it really was a wonderful experience.
We’re touring France department by department, and this September we were in the Aisne. The weather was glorious and we came across a few walkers who’d found chanterelles and sheep’s foot mushrooms. We found some too – it was brilliant, because as soon as we’d picked them, we cooked them straight away in our campervan.
So this walk was a real treat for the eyes, but also a real treat for the taste buds.
I live in the Landes – it’s a shame, as this is a route I’d have loved to do again and again… especially at the right time of year.