Sentier des Belvédères

A course over hills, with beautiful views of the Massif des Trois Pignons. Passages on platières in the middle of the moor with an unobstructed view, interspersed with passages in undergrowth and amid boulders. A varied, rather sporty hike.
N.B. The drop is probably underestimated: expect something more in the order of 300 metres.

Technical sheet

83737
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 87 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 79 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 126 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 73 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the car park at the Canche aux Mercers (from Arbonne-la-Forêt, take Route d’Achères-la-Forêt - D64; after a kilometre and a sharp turn left, take a small road on the right, go under the motorway leading to the car park).

Blue markings
This hike follows the Denecourt-Colinet trail No. 16, in Blue on the IGN map. Markings are dense with very clear indications on the ground (signs indicating variants in particular). Nevertheless, there are few passages where you have to be careful not to lose the route.

(S) At the end of the car park, take the path due west. Quickly reach the junction of the two branches of the circuit, heading south and north (sign). Follow the left branch towards the west. The path winds through the woods while remaining parallel to a wide path some distance to the left. Cross a short sandy area with some rocks and then continue through the woods. The trail, which becomes “carved" into the sandy soil, stands in open field (clear signs of an old forest fire). Return to the the underwood and continue to the west.

(1) Continue westward through the woods. The path veers to the south to then reach a wider path (Chemin de la Charme). Cross the road, continue south slightly uphill and reach a ledge lined with many rocks, where you can enjoy a beautiful view (junction with the circuit of the 25 bumps (25 Bosses), marked in Red).

(2) Do not follow the Red markings, but head right at acute angle on the trail marked in Blue. Continue west. The trail descends turning right, crosses another path to then go up opposite (north).

(3) Continue to the west. The path mostly runs along the plateau edge, with beautiful views on the left. The trail takes a west-northwesterly direction, it goes up and down in the middle of a large cluster of sandstone boulders the size of paving slabs (old quarries).

(4) The trail turns right to the north and begins a descent into the Gorge aux Chats. After crossing several perpendicular paths, head up steeply. The trail turns left and makes a hairpin on the right.

(5) It is on the north branch of the circuit and the trail takes a generally east orientation. Remaining at an almost constant altitude, ignore some trails heading to the left. After a pronounced bend on the right, the trail leaves the plateau to lead to a clear area of heathland on platières (the Laris).

(6) Continue on the moor and back north along the edge of the plateau. Walk due east to a viewpoint (in front of the stone building slightly to the right is the water of the Loing, noted on the IGN map).

(7) Do not move away from the edge of the board (it is possible to confuse this with the 16-16 shortcut, which turns south), but instead continue to the east. Head down over a short distance, cross a path and head up opposite. South-east oriented, the trail alternates short climbs and descents, passing by some boulders.

(8) The trail turns left and goes down steeply. At the bottom of the descent, turn right and ignore a path on the left towards the car park of the Feuillardière. Soon after, back on the right. The trail continues up amidst the boulders. Continue eastward. Head down to reach the Loing aqueduct facilities and head round it to orient yourself south. After turning left, the trail makes a final short climb and then head down and join the south branch of the circuit taken at the start of the hike. Turn left onto this road to quickly reach the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 74 m - Parking de la Canche aux Merciers
  2. 1 : km 1.25 - alt. 113 m - Start of the 1st "Pierre Blanche" shortcut
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 121 m - Junction with the Circuit des 25 Bosses
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 106 m - Start of the 2nd "Les Châtaigniers" shortcut
  5. 4 : km 3.72 - alt. 113 m - Change of direction
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 123 m - Natural shelter
  7. 6 : km 5.6 - alt. 123 m - Arrival of the 2nd shortcut
  8. 7 : km 6.31 - alt. 122 m - Arrival of the 1st shortcut
  9. 8 : km 6.83 - alt. 121 m - Junction of the old route
  10. S/E : km 8.35 - alt. 74 m - Parking de la Canche aux Merciers

Practical information

In case of rain there is natural shelter (rock overhang) (5).

The hike is described here in the clockwise direction, but the reverse is just as practicable (there are markings for both directions).

‘’Alternatives to shorten the hike''
Two shortcuts are possible on this hike, indicated by signs on site.
- First shortcut - At point (2) turn right and follow trail 16-16 indicated on the IGN map (blue markings). Go through an intersection in the forest, then take the path that goes due north and crosses the platière. Join the north branch of the circuit at (7). Turn right and follow the end of the route to the starting point. Expect this shortened circuit to take approximately one hour on foot.
- Second shortcut - At point (3) turn right and follow trail 16-16 as indicated on the IGN map (Blue markings). Journey north and then turn right into the Gorge aux Chats. Turn right to get on the platière and join the northern branch of the circuit (6). Turn right and follow the end of the route to the starting point. Expect this shortened circuit to take approximately two hours on foot.

In the nearby area

Beautiful panoramas:
- from (3) to (4) on the “Bosses" of the Trois Pignons massif (including the monument to the guerrillas);
- from (5) to (7) at Sucremont.
Platières, heathland and moorland to Calune from (6) to (7).
Old sandstone quarries between (3) and (4).
Numerous rocks of various shapes, some carved rocks, the remains of an old telegraph... indicated on site by letters in Blue.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 129 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
RV94800
RV94800

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The route is very hilly, i.e. a lot of ascents and descents. I don't know whether the announced gradient includes a cumulative total of positive and negative gradients, but this information would be very useful - we've met hikers of a certain age who, with this information, have considered taking shortcuts.
I lost a "Picasso" smartphone case on the way up, so whoever finds it will be lucky.
An explanation of the various marked rocks would also be very interesting.

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Vincent20100
Vincent20100

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Tracking with a map alone requires vigilance, but GPS tracking is more comfortable.

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Sabine Gaunet
Sabine Gaunet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant route with many rocks that can be avoided by the less adventurous. At point 4, there's a lovely spot for a picnic.

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ChaGRM
ChaGRM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very well signposted, no need for a GPS. Just follow the blue signs. The start is perhaps the most "difficult" as there are several small paths. The views are fantastic and the scenery changes as you go along.
I did 1h20 of trail walking and 2h20 of walking for my sister.
I loved it 👍

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Nicolas Hurtrel
Nicolas Hurtrel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice circ6

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finyi
finyi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A dynamic, winding route through the rocks, with gentle ascents and descents all along the way!
Great fun for hikers.

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BernieM
BernieM

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : May 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk using the app, which makes it very easy to be guided without having to read the description. Quite a challenging route, going up and down. So bring good shoes!

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Isab'elle
Isab'elle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this tour in the middle of the week, so we didn't see many people. It's a beautiful place with great views. With the past rains, there were quite a few pools (at least the animals have something to quench their thirst) and towards the end some very muddy paths, but that didn't bother us. Towards the end of the route, pay attention to the signposts, as it's easy to go the wrong way!

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ealet
ealet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

pleasant walk through moorland and undergrowth, it takes about 3 hours to complete the whole route, the views are magnificent
thanks to the author for sharing

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Cecilerand
Cecilerand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk, fairly easy to follow except for the last section, where we took the wrong path, so you have to be careful when you get to the last few sentences of the walk. We took the wrong path at the aqueduct.

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KPx
KPx

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful walk, done without rain but in wet weather.
No technical difficulties, a diversity of landscapes but the duration is underestimated, count 3 hours for a regular walker.

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Korchpov
Korchpov

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

This is an extremely well-marked trail, blue throughout.
The scenery is very pretty, particularly the undergrowth and moorland.
The difference in altitude measured on my smartwatch is 267 m.
There were quite a few trail runners on the route (we passed around thirty), but perhaps that's due to an upcoming race?
Finally, a small drawback: until about 1km from the finish/departure, the noise from the nearby motorway is quite annoying.

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wroumarly
wroumarly

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this route anti-clockwise. The only difficulty with the signposting between pt 2 and pt 1 is that when you come down from the gable post you come to a wide flat area, and you have to cross the Chemin de la Charme slightly to the left.

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Guen75
Guen75

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk in the Fontainebleau forest. Between undergrowth, clearings with local moorland and rocks, everything was there and it was very pleasant. Not an easy walk, as there are a few obstacles where you have to be careful where you put your feet between the rocks, and there's quite a bit of gradient, but that's what we liked about it. There's a lot of variety on this walk. It took us half an hour longer than indicated in the description.
Do it again and again!

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jujucourbis
jujucourbis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A "typical" Fontainebleau forest walk, with undergrowth, sandy paths and a few climbs through sandstone boulders.
We did it with children, and it's more like a 3-hour walk, not counting any breaks.
I'm not sure that the difference in altitude is realistic; I had the impression that I was going up and down half the time...

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