Sentier des Templiers from Boult-aux-Bois

Parking available on Rue de la Héronnière, near the Maison de la Nature in Boult-aux-Bois.

(S/E) Opposite the Maison de la Nature, head up the street on the left towards the RD947, which runs through the village. At the junction, turn left, pass the basket-maker’s shop, head up the street and continue straight on towards the old Commandeur’s fortified house (information panel no. 1 at the old fortified house). Continue along this road and keep going straight on until you reach the national forest.

(1) Enter the woods and continue straight up. At the top of the hill, at a place called Jardin Gascon, admire the view and continue along the small path that branches off to the left. A few dozen metres further on, you’ll come to the very first section of the Templars’ Ditch, which you’ll follow for much of the walk (information panel no. 2). Continue along this path, straight ahead to the next junction.

(2) Turn left, going round the first stone of the Templars’ Ditch (information panel no. 3). Continue along the edge of the national forest. A descent leads to a small stream which you must cross. After the stream, continue to the junction with a plot path, turn right and then left immediately afterwards. Follow the climb up the Templars’ Ditch, keeping straight on, until you reach the plateau. At the junction, go straight on at the Templars’ Ditch. The path then descends to the Fontaine aux Grès.

(3) Turn left and walk along the Templiers ditch. Continue straight on along this narrow path (information panel no. 4). Pass through the hamlet of La Blanche Borne and keep the ditch on your left (information panel no. 5). You will reach the Grand Colas forest road

(4) Continue straight ahead, turning right, and follow this wide white track until you reach the D947 county road.

(5) Take great care when crossing to rejoin the forest path on the other side. At the next junction, go straight ahead into the ditch opposite. Continue straight ahead along this ditch. When you reach another junction, head straight ahead to rejoin the ditch. After two bends in the ditch, head downhill. At a further junction, turn slightly left. Then rejoin the Templiers ditch at the bottom of a climb, at the junction known as Les Mallassises.

(6) Turn left and head straight on until you reach the tarmac forest road known as Le Mariage (information sign no. 6). Cross the forest road and head straight ahead to rejoin the Templiers ditch. Continue walking in the ditch, descending for a long stretch and then climbing back up. Turn left whilst staying in the ditch, then descend again. Leave the ditch when you reach a junction.

(7) Continue to the right along the path. Climb up, keep going straight on, then descend to the forest road below.

(8) The forest road leads to the Dauphin du Gros Chêne (a remarkable tree); turn left onto it, then walk for about 500 m and turn right to enter the woods again. Visit the Dauphin, retrace your steps and continue straight on along the plot’s path. Cross a small stream and continue straight on until you emerge onto a meadow.

(9) From here, the narrow path runs idyllically alongside the meadow and stream. Head left towards Boult-aux-Bois, following the stream and its meanders until you reach the edge of the woods and rejoin the forest road.

(10) Turn right twice towards the Gros Chêne, where there is a picnic area, then take a small path on the right. Follow it straight on. At the crossroads, keep heading towards Boult-aux-Bois in a north-north-easterly direction. Leave the woods by joining a dirt track and reach the village, passing close to a stream and a hunting lodge. Turn right onto Rue de la Héronnière. The Maison de la Nature is now in sight (S/E).

Between October and February, check the hunting dates before setting off.

Maison de la Nature (S/E) and Gros Chêne (10)