The Dolmen Chevresse in the Forêt de Breuil-Chenue

A predominantly forested route that starts along the charming river Le Vignan and quickly reaches the Dolmen Chevresse. The route then leads into the Forêt de Breuil-Chenue, where firs and beeches are more common than the oaks that once gave the uplands their name.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 229 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 223 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 657 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 503 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from Pont des Epines, on one side of the D6 between Pont du Montal and the village of Saint-Brisson. There is a "Forêt domaniale de Breuil-Chenue" sign at the entrance to the bridge and a "Station de lecture du paysage" sign on the opposite side of the road. Park in the small car park just before the bridge, on the right-hand side of the road when coming from Pont du Montal.

Yellow red and white markings

(S/E) Take the bridge to cross the Vignan. Immediately turn left and follow a wide track towards the Dolmen Chevresse.

Yellow markings

After about 100m, let the GR®13 go right uphill and continue on the track along the river.

(1) In the hollow of a bend to the right, shortly after an old "Parking" sign, leave the track for a path that enters the forest on the right. The path bends to the right and crosses a track. Continue uphill on the path through a mossy fir forest. As you approach a small forest road on the left, the dolmen comes into view on the right.

(2) Reach the forest road and follow it for about 100m to the right. At a crossroads (forest plot no. 52), turn left at an acute angle, due east (ignore a yellow arrow seen earlier, inviting you to turn right). Go right along a recently cleared plot, then enter the forest again. Keep to the main path and ignore all the side paths. Cross a stream, walk alongside an old low wall and turn left along the path to reach a crossroads.

(3) Then turn left (VTT marker). Reach more open ground and ignore a trailhead on the left. Follow a fenced-in plot of future Christmas trees on your left. Ignore a path coming from the right and follow a hedge on your right. Ignore a track on the left and go downhill (view of Saint-Brisson village on the right).

Red and yellow markings

(4) At the fork, turn left. Follow meadows bordered by hedges. Two or three wet or even flooded stretches are easily bypassed by parallel paths on the left. Ignore the start of a path on the left, go downhill, cross the Vignan and come out onto a small road (Route de Dun, D6). Follow the road to the right for a few dozen metres, then turn left onto a grassy path reserved for pedestrians.

(5) At the crossroads, take the 2nd turning on the right, a grassy path quickly framed by two hedges. In a hairpin bend to the left, ignore a path departure to the right. Further on, ignore a footpath on the left (not shown on the map) and immediately come to a small road. Follow the road to the left for approximately 150m.

yellow markings + mountain bike arrows n°4

(6) Turn left onto Chemin d'Écheintre Meulet. After no. 66, ignore a track on the left and climb up. Go straight on (north-west), ignoring access to meadows on either side. At a fork, take the right-hand path and follow on your left a fenced-in plot of future Christmas trees. Enter the forest, immediately ignore a path on the right and go downhill.

At a fork in the road, turn right. The track gives way to a path interspersed with heavy boards that leads through a wetland area. Cross a stream and head uphill under fir trees. Stay on the main path, which winds through the fir trees, ignoring all the side paths.

Yellow markings

(8) At the crossroads at La Picherotte (signpost), turn left onto a stony track and follow it for about 250m.

No markings
The mauve line intended to represent the PR® on the 1/25000 map is not up to date. In fact, there are remnants of old yellow markings on this section.

(9) At a fork in the road, continue on the track (leave the signposted route to the right). Stay on the wide, stony track, descending gently and steadily, ignoring any side roads or tracks. Shortly after signposting plots 28 and 29, pass through a metal barrier and reach a small road (picnic area on the right).

Yellow, red, and white markings

(10) Follow the road downhill to the left, following along a fallow deer enclosure on the right. Pass a wooden hut on the left. Shortly afterwards, at the start of a left-hand bend, leave the road for a no-vehicle path on the right. Go downhill, turn right quickly and keep parallel to a telephone line for several dozen metres.

(11) Then turn left and descend steeply. Cross a track and continue downhill (beware of the many stones and roots). At the bottom, cross the D6 (with caution), follow it to the left and immediately find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 505 m - Pont des Epines
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 518 m - Trailhead
  3. 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 587 m - Dolmen Chevresse
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 613 m - Carrefour
  5. 4 : km 3.54 - alt. 587 m - Three-way junction
  6. 5 : km 4.64 - alt. 598 m - La Bertoux - Carrefour
  7. 6 : km 5.59 - alt. 641 m - Chemin d'Écheintre Meulet
  8. 7 : km 6.47 - alt. 628 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 7.14 - alt. 643 m - La Picherote - Carrefour
  10. 9 : km 7.4 - alt. 646 m - Bifurcation
  11. 10 : km 9.17 - alt. 600 m - Carrefour - Picnic area
  12. 11 : km 9.86 - alt. 571 m - Left turn
  13. S/E : km 10.26 - alt. 505 m - Pont des Epines

Practical information

Hiking boots useful. Wet or flooded passages between (4) and (5) (easily bypassed).

No water points on the route. Bar-restaurant at Pont du Montal, in the village of Dun-les-Places and in the village of Saint-Brisson.

Useful 1:25,000 scale map (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hiked three times by the author, with various variants, the first in September 1980, the last on June 09, 2019.

In the nearby area

- Pleasant walk in the Forêt de Breuil-Chenue and along the Vignan.
- Dolmen Chevresse (2). Contrary to appearances, this is not a megalith but a natural stack of rock slabs.
- Fallow deer enclosure just beyond (10).

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
gpat25
gpat25
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We really enjoyed this walk, the forest is really beautiful, almost magical, I'd recommend it to anyone!

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merinis michel
merinis michel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

parish specific to Brittany, a very pleasant walk to be enjoyed in fine weather as there are several flooded stretches.

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hendaye
hendaye

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Between point 4 and point 5 the path is flooded, but a path in the woods allows you to walk along the path without getting your feet wet.
Lovely walk through varied landscapes

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Kat OGAN
Kat OGAN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice route, nice outing👍. Done in warm humid weather after a period of heavy rain.

Nice crossing of Douglas fir forests with huge mossy plant covers, it's splendid🤩. The dolmen is an imposing piece worth a look and a few shots🤩

Crossing FFC-rated mountain bike trails, splendid and very technical, which make you want to go.

Diverse and varied terrain, beware of point 4 with areas that are difficult to cross in hiking boots in view of the water heights of around twenty centimetres in places. Even the edges of the paths and parallel tracks are difficult to access and cross, with fences and brambles.

As has already been mentioned in the comments, be careful at point 11, with the mint descent towards the D6, because of the run-off and gullies that have cut deeply into the path (ruts, stones, roots), which is the most difficult point of this outing.

Thank you for this trail and for sharing it with us.

+

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pgetrochon
pgetrochon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk over varied terrain. The dolmen is massive and visible at the top of a forest being felled on the left side of the path. The feller gave us permission to pass. At the end, the PR path on the map is a very pleasant alternative and allows you to avoid part of the paved forest path.
Be careful on the final descent of around 400m, which is on a very steep, gravel path. The use of poles may be advisable.
I recommend this route

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Luc Ma
Luc Ma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent forest walk in the summer. A bit of a climb to make it a bit more challenging.
Definitely one of my favourite walks. I highly recommend it, especially in hot weather.

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Huggymon
Huggymon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk; the forest is magnificent.

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Anne de la Nièvre
Anne de la Nièvre
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We didn't follow the circuit exactly, as we left from the charming Maison du Parc after visiting the mini-museum "Maison des hommes et des paysages" (insignificant, except perhaps for people who know absolutely nothing about the area) and the small museum of the Resistance (interesting and well kept), but in terms of mileage it should be similar. Excluding breaks, it took us just under 3 hours, but we walked quite quickly. It's a very pleasant walk, with a variety of woods and paths (with a special mention for the fir forests, which are not as sad as you might imagine and make the ground soft underfoot). I had no trouble following the route, as I hardly consulted the Visorando description, but I had my IGN 25000° map with me and the markings were always visible on site. I only gave it a "good" rating for the interest of the trail because, for those who like to have sights to see along the way, the only thing here is the "Chevresse dolmen", a natural rock pile (the "pierre qui vire" type, almost on the side of the road) like so many others in the Morvan, which is nevertheless one of its many charms.

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randonneurfou89
randonneurfou89

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I was helped by my GPS.
Magnificent coniferous forest, the sun was making sun spots on the carpet of moss. I appreciated the space to eat a snack. The descent of the last kilometre is steep and bumpy. Very impressed by the size of the dolmen.

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Max 3007
Max 3007

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Absolute bliss on this magnificent hike Alone in the World in the woods with splendid trees, gigantic piles of stones, small natural walls, singing streams and a brief encounter with a doe.
The end of the route is a little "complicated" as it is steep and rocky. Perfect, detailed description.
A must-do tour, preferably early in the morning when everything is calm. Nature, nothing but nature.
This hike will remain engraved in our memories as seasoned hikers.

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Mclh
Mclh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Without doubt the most beautiful hike we did during our stay in the Morvan.
On the other hand, on a very rainy day, even though we hardly had any heavy showers along the way, we came across a lot of places that were full of water, but there were ways of getting through them easily.

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Happy Walker
Happy Walker
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great hike. Apart from between points 5 and 7, the entire route is shaded. No difficulties except perhaps on the descent to the finish, but nothing insurmountable. We took our time and in 5 hours of walking we didn't meet a soul! Absolute peace and quiet!

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CHA_MALO
CHA_MALO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent hike, I recommend it +++. We were alone in the world, with the birds singing and even a roe deer we came across... We're not from the region and it made us want to come back soon. We hiked with two children aged 5 and 7, who are used to walking.

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Eric89
Eric89

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A walk in a beautiful forest, between deciduous and coniferous trees! The paths are wide, and only the final descent is rocky. But it's a very pleasant walk in the heat, because we're in the shade almost all the time!

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saint-apollinaire
saint-apollinaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,
I did this walk during a heatwave. The woods are still cool, but it's not too hot (34°C).
Our starting point is Saint Brisson, but your starting point is in the forest.
The dolmen is magnificent, you wonder how they managed it.
Between 7 and 9 the forest is covered with a carpet of moss and fine grass, magnificent in the sunshine.
Thank you for this hike.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.