Path from the Valois observatory starting at the Maison du Parc

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To go birdwatching in the National Nature Reserve at Lac du Temple, an observatory has been set up by the Park. Access is on foot or by bike via a straight, well-maintained forest track (white path).

Details

n°2218417
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 19 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 21 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 161 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 137 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Piney (10220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.288605° / E 4.391042°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2917SB
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Photos

Common cranes
Common cranes
View of Lac du Temple from the observatory
Valois Observatory

Description of the walk

Yellow markings

Start: Maison du Parc Naturel Régional de la Forêt d'Orient

(S/E) From the car park at the Maison du Parc, walk past the entrance to the building towards the crossroads. Cross the Departmental Road.

(1) Go through the ONF barrier (the path is closed to motor vehicles but open to pedestrians and mountain bikes) and follow the Ligne des Comtes de Champagne straight ahead for 1 km.

(2) Turn left to continue along the Ligne de Valois (white track) straight on for 1.5 km.

(3) At the end of the straight stretch, continue along the dirt track leading to the Valois observatory, which is the only part of the national nature reserve open to the public.
After observing the lake and its feathered inhabitants, take the same path back the way you came to return to the Maison du Parc (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 156 m - Regional Nature Park Visitor Centre
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 151 m - Barrier. The Line of the Counts of Champagne
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 161 m - The Valois Line
  4. 3 : km 2.53 - alt. 140 m - Observatory
  5. S/E : km 5.26 - alt. 156 m - Regional Nature Park Visitor Centre

Notes

Unpaved paths: 98%

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Marc1961
Marc1961

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very easy walk through a beautiful forest.
Few birds.

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Claude-Meignen
Claude-Meignen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A simple round trip: two straight stretches on the way there, two on the way back! Luckily, the forest has taken on its autumn colours! There aren’t many birds to spot and the lake level is low: the birds aren’t easy to identify, even with binoculars!

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Angélique Colson
Angélique Colson

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s a shame – there were very few birds at that time of year.

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BONAYA
BONAYA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went on this hike to watch the migration of the common cranes
a magnificent sight from the Valois observatory, where we spent about three hours
We were alone; another couple arrived, but this didn’t hinder our viewing of the cranes at all
Some even landed about a hundred metres away and stayed there for several minutes without us disturbing them
A hike well worth repeating

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rossemario
rossemario

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

First short walk of the week on 22 October
a great way to get going
a lovely discovery, especially the mushroom picking

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nordique78
nordique78

Hello
Is the embankment leading to the observatory accessible on foot in November?

Thank you for your reply
Philippe

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