Four villages in Champagne through the woods from Pourcy

Start from the car park at the Maison du Parc in Pourcy.

(S/E) With your back to the Maison du Parc, turn left onto the Chemin de Nanteuil. At the cemetery, turn left onto the Sentier de la Rosière, then walk 50 m to the right along the Rue de la Barbe aux Canes. Look out for a path entrance on the left, before the house and the sign indicating the walking routes.

(1) Take the path and walk to the corner of the vineyards.

(2) At the vineyard, turn left onto the path running alongside it. At the T-junction, veer right along the vineyards and continue along this path, which then enters the woods. After 1 km, you’ll reach a forest track.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the forest track for about 300 metres until you reach a track junction.

(4) Take the path on the left. Walk 500 m until you reach a T-junction.

(5) At this junction, turn right for 30 metres, then turn left. This track continues through the woods and passes close to Heurtebise Farm (pastures and cropland). Shortly after the farm, you’ll reach a junction.

(6) At the junction, turn left. The path is badly rutted by forestry vehicles. Continue for 600 m until you reach the vineyards. Walk alongside them until you reach the D 980 road.

(7) At the road, turn right until you reach the crossroads.

(8) Turn left and walk to the Chapelle Saint-Lié.

(9) After a break at the chapel, return to the road.

(8) Cross the D6 and continue straight ahead. You are now on the^GRP®. Follow this path until you reach a Y-junction.

(10) At the junction, head straight ahead onto the^GR®142, which enters the woods. Continue along this path, which eventually leads to the vineyards above Écueil. Walk alongside the vineyards for 200 metres until you reach a crossroads where you leave the GR^®.

(11) At the crossroads, carry on straight ahead, skirting the woodland. Walk to a T-junction, where you rejoin the GR^®.

(12) At the crossroads, turn right onto the path that runs alongside the vineyard, then enters the woods. Follow the^GR® signposts and ignore all paths branching off to the right. The path rejoins the vineyards and descends towards the village of Chamery. Enter the village via Rue des Prés Eloy and walk to Rue Haute.

(13) At the T-junction, turn right and leave the village. Stay on this path which climbs towards the woods, signposted^GRP® de l’Ardre. Do not take the paths to the right or left; stay on the wide path. Pass in front of the wayside cross (hard to see, on the right).

(14) When you can see the Ferme d’Écueil, take the path on the left. After 200 m, turn right onto the path (which is not very visible) that enters the woods alongside the pasture.

(15) At the crossroads, cross the wide track and take the path opposite. Continue along this red and yellow-marked path which descends towards the village of Pourcy.

(16) When you reach the road, turn right and enter the village. Turn left at the crossroads, then right, and finally left at the cemetery, and walk to the Maison du Parc (E).

The route follows signposted paths in places. From Pourcy to Ville-Dommange, however, there are no signposts. Using the app will be a help if you’re not used to reading a map.

Starting point at the Maison du Parc: car park, information, toilets, picnic area.

There’s a lovely picnic area by the chapel (9). Water is available at the cemetery.

Champagne producers in the villages you pass through.

Alternatives:

Between (11) and (12), you can follow the^GR® route to reach the church at Écueil, just outside the village.

Possible shortcuts between (4) and (11) and between (6) and (10). In this case, you do not go as far as the chapel.