Sapinières de l'Armandon, miellerie de Grattepaille et villages isolés

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This route passes through fir forests and a few pastures, reminders of a bygone era of pastoral farming.
The Grattepaille honey farm is breathing new life into this beautiful region.

Details

n°3732446
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.01 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,122 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,132 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,851 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,864 ft
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Photos

Path covered in vegetation

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the village of Armandon, which is part of the municipality of Saint-Préjet-Armandon.
Parking is available in the village along the road.

(S/E) Head east along the Route des Moulins, cross the bridge over the Armandon and, at the junction, take the road on the left, running alongside the Ruisseau d’Armandon.

(1) At the next junction, turn right onto Route des Abeilles, heading towards Grattepaille.

(2) Before reaching Grattepaille, which you can see in the distance, take the path on the right that follows the electricity and telephone lines towards Berthier.

(3) At Berthier, turn left towards Crose Marie.

(4) At Crose Marie, take the path on the right between two houses, towards Les Souves.

(5) After passing through Les Souves, continue along the tarmac road until you reach a junction. Do not take the path on the right as you leave the village, as although it is marked in yellow, it is impassable due to fallen trees blocking the way. Furthermore, in this part of the forest the trees are dead and falling to the ground, posing a danger.

(6) At the junction, turn right and follow the wide forest track leading to Armandon.

(7) Leave the track, turn right, then right again, and head towards the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,916 ft - Parking in the village of Armandon
  2. 1 : mi 0.7 - alt. 2,057 ft - Turn right towards Grattepaille.
  3. 2 : mi 1.39 - alt. 2,461 ft - To the right. Power and telephone lines
  4. 3 : mi 2.12 - alt. 2,730 ft - Berthier. Turn left.
  5. 4 : mi 2.7 - alt. 2,812 ft - Crose Marie. Path on the left between two houses
  6. 5 : mi 3.42 - alt. 2,671 ft - Junction with a dangerous path
  7. 6 : mi 3.64 - alt. 2,779 ft - Junction. Turn right
  8. 7 : mi 5.8 - alt. 1,867 ft - Leave the track. Turn right, then right again
  9. S/E : mi 6.01 - alt. 1,916 ft - Parking in the village of Armandon

Notes

This route is suitable for summer as it is very shaded.

Avoid this route in strong winds. Dead trees fall regularly. Please take great care.

Worth a visit

The fir forests. The viewpoints.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Vedubois
Vedubois

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The footpath is rarely used and there aren’t enough local farmers left to maintain it. We had to push our way through two patches of brambles and go round a fallen tree blocking the path. Otherwise, it was a magnificent walk. We chatted to an elderly lady who explained that the area had become rather deserted and that there weren’t many people left to maintain the paths, apart from the forest tracks.

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Pouilloux
Pouilloux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An ideal walk for hot days. The route is entirely in the shade. Please note: this is a very quiet route. There are a few sections that are a bit tricky due to the vegetation.

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REDONDIE ARLETTE
REDONDIE ARLETTE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, beautiful pine forests, a pleasant route through stunning countryside – we really enjoyed this lovely walk

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