Trails and paths in the Marcenat State Forest

The route starts from the car park, which is about a hundred metres away, on the edge of the forest road, opposite the Croix des Bergers riding centre.

(S/E) Head to the bottom of the valley, then take the track on the right a few metres further on. After a 90° left-hand bend, the track climbs a steep slope to the left and joins a wide cross-country path. Turn right and head towards a fork in the path beneath the high-voltage power lines.

(1) Continue straight ahead, then turn left at the hairpin bend by the signpost. Follow the path to a paddock and carry on straight ahead until you reach the tarmac road.

(2) Cross the road and carry on straight ahead until you reach the start of a path on the right, about 700 m further on.

(3) Follow this path to the right until you reach a crossroads with a memorial stone on your left.

(4) Cross carefully and continue along the small path straight ahead. Join a track and follow it to the left until you reach a left-hand bend.

(5) Turn right onto the grassy path and follow it until you reach a more open area with a path on the left and a white marker on a tree.

(6) Follow this path to the left until you reach a fork with no path and a white marker on a tree.

(7) Turn right and head straight on towards the field until you reach the tiled path. Take this path to the left and join the second path on the left next to a bramble patch.

(8) Turn left and continue to a four-way junction.

(9) Take the first grassy path on the right behind a dead tree and walk for about 500 metres.

(10) Turn left and carry on straight ahead until you reach the gravel track.

(11) Turn left and rejoin the route you have already taken.

(5) Follow the path back until you reach the cross-track, after carefully crossing the junction at the memorial stone.

(3) Leave the route you have already taken and turn right.

(12) Cross the ditch on the right.

(13) Turn left and walk down the ditch. Continue straight on until you reach the edge of the forest, about a hundred metres before a house.

(14) Take the path at an acute angle to the left and head for the next fork.

(15) Turn left along the field, then follow the path through the woods. After a sharp left-hand bend, continue along the straight track until you reach the Carrefour des Vieilles Ventes, a star-shaped junction beneath the high-voltage power lines.

(16) Take the^second path on the right, passing under the wooden gate. When you reach the edge of the forest, turn left and follow the path. At the corner, turn left and continue straight on until you reach a ditch.

(17) Cross it on the right, follow the path to the left and reach a cross-path.

(18) Turn right, walking alongside a field on your right, and carry on until you reach a grassy path on the left that leads into the woodland. Follow it, carry on straight ahead at the first junction and reach the second. Turn left and rejoin the track you took at the start. Turn right and you’ll soon reach the car park (S/E).

A route I do almost every week.

Please help to keep it in good condition by clearing it as and when necessary.