A family-friendly route with no elevation gain, between a leisure centre and a Natura 2000 classified biodiversity reserve. A classic that never gets old!
Yellow footpath markings, starting from the Digue des Six Pales.
(S/E) From the dyke, start on the left of the starting sign and take a small tarmac road along the shore of the Vieil Étang, keeping it on your left. Continue along the path, as close as possible to the lake, until you reach La Hobette.
(1) At the Hobette lock keeper's house, cross the footbridge and continue left on the tree-lined path on the other side of the Vieil Étang.
(2) Pass the Digue-des-Six-Pales and continue opposite, along the lake shore, to the end.
(3) After a few steps, you will arrive at a second lock keeper's house at the end of the lake on the Digue de Retenue. Follow it along its entire length until you reach a small road.
(4) Turn left and follow a forest path along the lake to the beach.
(5) From the beach, follow the road for about 150 metres.
(6) Take the path along the lake shore again, passing the leisure centre and the campsite to return to the car park (S/E).
Waypoints
S/E : mi 0 - alt. 571 ft - Six Pales picnic area - Lac de Bairon
1 : mi 1.35 - alt. 568 ft - Maison Éclusiere de la Hobette
2 : mi 2.6 - alt. 571 ft - Digue des Six Pales
3 : mi 4.2 - alt. 577 ft - Lock keeper's house Retenue lake dam
4 : mi 4.49 - alt. 574 ft - Road junction
5 : mi 4.89 - alt. 568 ft - The Beach
6 : mi 5.06 - alt. 574 ft - Trail along the water's edge
S/E : mi 5.83 - alt. 574 ft - Six Pales picnic area
Notes
Lac de Bairon, between Le Chesne and Louvergny, 20 km north of Vouziers via the D977 and D991.
Recommended parking: Digue des Six Pales
Depending on the season, wear suitable footwear. Part of the trail may remain wet.
Set off with suitable equipment
Be vigilant along departmental roads
Worth a visit
Lac de Bairon is a reservoir on the Canal des Ardennes, which was created in the 1830s and 1840s. It is fed by the Val de Bairon stream, which once powered forges and mills. The old pond was developed in the Middle Ages by the monks of Mont-Dieu to serve as a fish pond. Since 2012, the site has been of Community interest under the Natura 2000 scheme. It is currently home to a number of protected birds such as sandpipers, hobby falcons, grey herons and various species of ducks. It also has protected amphibians, reptiles and other invertebrates. The Vieil Étang in particular is a veritable biodiversity reserve. The lake itself is ideal for a wide range of water sports.
☆ Lac de Bairon Campsite
☆ Les Ours des Crêtes
☆ Museum of the Two World Wars - WARNESSON Yohan
☆ L'Odysée
☆ Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur Church
☆ Bairon Nautical Club
☆ The Panoramic
☆ Lodge at Lake Bairon, house 3 km from Lake Bairon. Ideal
for fishing, hiking and mountain biking
☆ Museum of the 1950s school, Montgon
☆ Valérie Penel, painter, Louvergny
☆ Canal des Ardennes lodge - Bairon
☆ Saint-Martin Church
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description 4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route 4.8 / 5
Route interest 4.3 / 5
ROYAUX
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024 Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good Very busy route : No
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maxvalet
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024 Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good Very busy route : No
An easy route, suitable for families.
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Natte
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of your route : Jan 10, 2024 Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good Very busy route : Yes
Pleasant hike, near the lake, unobstructed view
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JFB-ARDENNES
• Edited:
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 23, 2023 Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good Very busy route : No
Pleasant route, protect yourself from mosquitoes the yellow markings around Lake 1 are perfect.
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ALerouge
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 23, 2021 Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average Very busy route : No
Due to time constraints, we only walked along the side of the pond (from the start to point 2).
A little disappointed that the pond is only visible from the lock keeper's house. Before that, the path is quite muddy in places (due to rain on the day) and the dense vegetation prevents you from seeing the pond. Protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Nature information board at the house. Bird watching stations between points 1 and 2.
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sophieRRando
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021 Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good Very busy route : No
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