The Forêt d’Orléans Caves Trail

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This karst trail is organised by the Loiret Departmental Caving Committee. It features ten information boards designed in partnership with the BRGM, the ONF and Loire Nature Environnement: these boards will help you discover the hidden aspects of the Orléans State Forest.

Details

n°109941596
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.19 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 10 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 10 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 436 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 417 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Rebréchien (45470)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.988764° / E 2.001946°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2219ET
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Carrefour de l’Émerillon.

(S/E) Head north-east along the Route Forestière de la Pervenche between ONF plots 1282 and 1281, where you will soon come across the welcome sign. Continue along this same road , where you will come across information board no. 1 on geology, then board no. 2 on forest pools, before reaching the Carrefour du Marchais Clair.

(1) Turn left, heading due north, onto the Route des Vallées d’Orléans between ONF plots 1296 and 1272. Here you will find information board no. 3 near the Gouffre des Orfosses, which explains the formation of karst cavities. Continue straight on to reach the Carrefour du Chêne Pointu.

(2) Turn left onto the Route de la Bretonnerie between ONF plots 1297 and 1300. Here you will find three information boards: No. 4 on lodge trees, No. 5 on forest management and, finally, No. 6 on the forest’s flora and fauna. Head towards the junction with the Route Forestière de Bougy-les-Neuville (tarmac road).

(3) Head left between ONF plots 1298 and 1342. On this stretch you’ll find sign No. 7 on the Retrève, No. 8 on archaeological remains and No. 9 on the Gouffre des Sans Ronce. Continue to the Carrefour des Domaines.

(4) Take the second road on the left (Route des Trois Bornes) between ONF plots 1283 and 1284. You will find a final information panel on cave diving before reaching the Carrefour de l’Émerillon car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 427 ft - Car park - Carrefour de l'Émérillon
  2. 1 : mi 0.6 - alt. 427 ft - Carrefour du Marchais Clair
  3. 2 : mi 1.22 - alt. 436 ft - Carrefour du Chêne Pointu
  4. 3 : mi 1.74 - alt. 420 ft - Bougy-les-Neuville Forest Road
  5. 4 : mi 2.54 - alt. 420 ft - Carrefour des Domaines
  6. S/E : mi 3.19 - alt. 427 ft - Car park - Carrefour de l'Émérillon

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