In the footsteps of Martin Nadaud

de fr

Starting from the Martinèche car park, Martin Nadaud, the most famous mason in the Creuse, invites you to follow the paths of his childhood to discover the built and natural heritage of the commune of Soubrebost in half a day.

Details

n°183617
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 267 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 261 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 682 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 465 m
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Photos

the quarrymen's hut
The Duveix stone
the stone with 9 steps
stone with nine steps, rear view

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the Martinèche car park, take the road around the Maison Martin Nadaud and leave the village. At the crossroads, turn left towards Vidaillat, then turn left again and continue on the RD 34a4.

(1) Leave the road and take the first track on your right, then continue along the path that branches off to the right. Walk along the foot of Puy Maria. At the top of a small hill, take the path that climbs up to your right to discover the Pierre aux Neuf Gradins.

(2) Retrace your steps and, once back on the original path, turn right to join the Perseix road. Take this road on the left.

(3) At the first house, take the sunken path on your right (not shown on the IGN map). This path turns left and heads south-west.

(4) Turn left to climb up to Puy de Soubrebost and reach the curious Pierre du Duveix. Climb to the top of the plot to reach the ridge path. Turn right onto this path, which will take you to the junction at the Croix de Courson viewpoint.

(5) Take a short detour to your right just before you reach the road.
Once you reach the road, cross over to see the quarrymen's hut. Cross the car park and take the road towards the village of Soubrebost, passing in front of the cemetery where Martin Nadaud is buried.

(6) In the centre of the village, visit the church on your left and admire the beautiful stonework of the houses. At the crossroads, turn right onto the D36 towards Bourganeuf.

(7) A few metres after the town hall, take the grassy path on your right, then quickly turn left onto the path leading to Beaumartys. Pass a wayside cross, continue straight ahead, then join a small road. Follow it on your right until you reach Beaumartys.

Cross the hamlet and continue straight ahead on the path that passes between two barns. Continue through alternating meadows and woods and enjoy the landscape... there are many viewpoints along the way.

(8) At the bottom of Puy de la Martinèche, at the crossroads, take the path on the right and continue downhill to the village of La Martinèche to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 477 m - Martin Nadaud car park
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 465 m - Leave the road and take the track on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.63 - alt. 551 m - Pierre aux Neufs Gradins
  4. 3 : km 2.55 - alt. 531 m - Perseix, leave the road and turn right
  5. 4 : km 3.28 - alt. 608 m - Pierre de Duveix
  6. 5 : km 4.4 - alt. 679 m - Turn left at the Croix de Courson junction
  7. 6 : km 5.14 - alt. 659 m - Soubrebost
  8. 7 : km 5.31 - alt. 658 m - Leave the D36 and take the road on the right
  9. 8 : km 8.47 - alt. 547 m - At the crossroads, turn right
  10. S/E : km 9.36 - alt. 477 m - Maison Martin Nadaud car park

Notes

Motorhome parking area in the car park of the Maison Martin Nadaud, as well as picnic tables.

Worth a visit

Pierre aux Neuf Gradins: a natural, mystical and/or man-made formation, this mysterious rock formation is said to have healing powers.

The village of Soubrebost: discover the work of the Creuse masons: houses, barns, a church listed as a Historic Monument, etc.

Pierre de Duveix: another curious rock formation, bearing witness to the geological and landscape evolution of the Creuse.

Quarrymen's hut: one of the last remaining quarrymen's huts and one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area can be found in a pleasant setting, equipped for picnics. View of the Massif Central in good weather.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
FrancoisM.751455
FrancoisM.751455

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The first half goes through the woods to Soubrebost, then descends to La Martinèche, offering views of the Limousin mountains.
Don't miss the Pierre aux 9 Gradins. Martin Nadaud's house was closed, which was a shame...

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Marmotte23
Marmotte23

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with surprising rocks.

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nathou03
nathou03

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk was quite nice with little road. The first part was through the woods, then the second part was through meadows with a little bit of an open view.

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georges36
georges36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike under the lovely January sun. No particular difficulties: I recommend it.

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PERIGORD
PERIGORD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took a very nice route starting from Saint Hilaire le Château, towards Chute du Poirier, then on the way back we took a path – before La Virolle, on the right – towards the Linard mill, then Linard, then the D34A4 towards La Martinèche until the junction on the left towards La Pierre aux Neuf Gradins. We then did the "Sur les pas de Martin Nadaud" (In the footsteps of Martin Nadaud) trail with a welcome stop at the "La Nonna" café in Soubrebost, where the welcome is very friendly. Then we returned to La Martinèche (the Martin Nadaud Museum has been closed since last summer) and back the same way we came via Linard, the Linard mill, La Virolle and then Saint Hilaire le Château. A slightly longer route of between 17 and 20 km, but very pleasant.

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Grosvallet
Grosvallet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike undertaken during a period of intense heat. The shaded and fairly challenging ascent was appreciated, as was the stop at the Soubrebost "bistro" and the coolness of the church!
Don't hesitate to make the round trip to the Pierre aux Neuf Gradins, one of the main points of interest on the route.

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Petitours29
Petitours29

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike (10.7 km in 3 hours 15 minutes) that is particularly well marked. From the Croix de Courson viewpoint, climbing up to the cairn, you can see... almost nothing! You would need to be 1.90 m/2 m tall to see what is indicated (Chaîne des Puys, Millevaches plateau, etc.): the vegetation seems to have grown a lot, which, when you think about it, is not such a bad thing!
At La Martinèche, Martin Nadaud's house was closed due to Covid-19 and will remain so for the entire season.
Despite this, it's still worth doing this hike. Thanks to "otibourganeuf".

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jeannette vallet
jeannette vallet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful, rolling landscapes. There is some confusion between the GPS route and the yellow markers. The picnic and rest area at the quarrymen's hut could do with some improvement and maintenance; it was barely visible in the tall grass. Thank you for this hike, which was rich in natural and cultural discoveries.

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aortavant
aortavant

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

uninteresting route... forest path, fir trees, a few pretty houses in La Martinéche and Soubrebost...

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florimon
florimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. Several points of interest along the route.
The first half is a bit challenging, but accessible to all (don't miss the rock with nine steps). The second half is much easier.
Halfway along the route, take a break at "La Nonna" (the restaurant in the village of Soubrebost). The welcome is friendly.
Enjoy your hike.
Pascal

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JANIAUD
JANIAUD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike with beautiful scenery. A breath of fresh air in the Creuse countryside.

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sergeannie
sergeannie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent walk in the heart of the Creuse region, home to many stonemasons, the most famous of whom is Martin Nadaud. The route is well signposted, and the paths and trails are typical of this beautiful department, with their dry stone walls, undergrowth and rocks. The walk is quite challenging as there are some steep slopes and descents. Worth promoting.
SergeAnnie.

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