The descent of the 16 locks

Car park by a stream in the centre of Sardy-les-Épiry.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, turn left. About 50m further on, follow the route de Blin, C3.

(1) The road bends to the left, follow it for another 1km or so. You will come to a bridge over the Rigole de l'Yonne.
(2) Turn right to follow the river on the right-hand side for several kilometres. At first, you'll walk alongside fields.

(3) You'll find yourself in the woods. A little further on, you can see the canal below. Near Port Brulée, the channel disappears and you find yourself on a gravel path.

(4) You climb up to Port Brulée to cross and make a start down the canal with its 16 locks.

(5) At the last lock, you cross the D297 and continue along the canal's green lane.

(6) After about 1km, you come to a bridge, cross it and continue along the path opposite. It turns first right and then left. You'll come to an old railroad with a station.

(7) Cross the railroad and enter the wood opposite. Turn right. It's not really a path, but an opening several metres wide. It follows the railroad. At the end of the wood, in front of a field, turn left (very small path) and follow the field until you come to a path which takes you to the right. Continue straight ahead.

(8) Cross the D985 road and continue straight ahead. You pass a place called Les Buits. The road bends to the right.

(9) At the crossroads, turn right. Cross the D985 again and continue straight ahead to return to Sardy-les-Épiry.

(10) You'll also come across the railroad you crossed earlier. Follow the church to get back to the starting point (S/E).

The route is not signposted, but it is well marked out on the hiking maps. It's very easy to find your way and there are no difficulties. The grass is sometimes a little high at the start when you enter the gully.

Étang de Baye and Étang de Veau are just a few kilometers away.