Pont Blanc Heritage Trail via the circular route of the Canaux

In Forest-Saint-Julien on the D114, park at the Gare car park.

(S/E) Follow the grassy path (an old railway line) then, at the start of the Courbe du Pont de Frappe (retaining walls), look out for the path on the left that climbs towards La Voie Romaine.

(1) Leave the railway line and turn left. Follow the flat path until you reach a lovely stony path – this is the Voie Romaine. Turn right onto it and head uphill, cross the D944 with care, then continue to the junction by the canal.

(2) Leave the path and turn left onto the flat path to reach the Aqueduc des Gorges.

(3) Return to the junction by the canal.

(2) Turn left onto the ascending path and follow the Roman Road to the Oratoire crossroads.

(4) Turn left onto the tarmac road, pass the Oratory and then some houses, and arrive at a bend at the Carrefour des Gorges.

(5) Carry on straight ahead along the path to follow the canal known as the Biaou du Forest. The path continues through the woodland, then crosses the canal and eventually climbs back up to the Biaou de Manse junction.

(6) Turn sharply right – a 180° turn – onto the path heading due west towards Manse. Follow this path again as it runs alongside the canal known as the Biaou de Manse. The path runs flat through the woodland before joining a dirt track in an open area directly beneath a power line.

(7) Turn right and follow this track downhill until you reach a tarmac road at the Peyres crossroads.

(8) Cross it and continue downhill, first along a footpath, then onto another tarmac road. Continue downhill until you reach a crossroads at the entrance to the village of Manse.

(9) Cross the D994 with care. Walk past the town hall and the church, then continue along the tarmac road until you reach the hamlet of Les Bardannes. Walk through the hamlet and, at the other end, you’ll find the Les Bardannes crossroads.

(10) Turn right onto the footpath, follow the Riou Gros stream, then leave it to reach the^first houses of Serre Richard.

(11) Turn left, then immediately right onto the tarmac roads. Then turn right onto Rue du Four to reach the chapel in Serre Richard, followed by the ‘four banal’ crossroads.

(12) Turn left and continue along the road to the next four-way junction, which is also where the old railway line used to be.

(13) Turn right onto this track. Carry on straight ahead, admiring the many engineering features: low walls, ditches and bridges. You’ll reach the Riou Faubert bridge.

(14) Take a detour here, passing under the bridge and then back up again. Pass by the viewing point and then round the bend at the Pont de Frappe, before reaching the station car park (S/E).

Take water with you as there are no drinking fountains along the route.
The circular route can be shortened by two hours if you do not wish to take the ‘La Variante des Canaux’ route. To do this, at La Roue in Aubes, continue along the tarmac road to the Carrefour des Peyres (8). Then follow the rest of the walk description as normal.
If you wish to shorten the circular route, you can also, just before the bridge and the Carrefour des Bardannes (10), turn right onto the Riou Gras path (or Sentier des Morts) and arrive directly at La Ligne.
Take care when crossing roads and on tarmac sections.
This walk often takes place in woodland, which is pleasant in good weather; otherwise, take the necessary precautions.

(3) Aqueduc des Gorges – do make sure to visit it.
(5) Carrefour des Gorges: stay on the road and continue along the tarmac road for 150 metres to see the Roue à Aubes.
Throughout the walk, there are numerous information boards about the local heritage; do take the time to read them – it’s well worth it.