Tour of the Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais pond in the heart of the Tronçais Forest

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions.
My experience was that of the remarkable oak trail: interesting but not particularly awe-inspiring, given the long, straight paths, a sign of human control over these "supermodel" sessile oaks. It was too hot to try cycling and visit the ponds. I regret that a little.
Happy trails to all!

Machine-translated

You are in the Forest of Tronçais, the most beautiful oak forest in Europe, known for, among other things, the Colbert Reserve, where you will see the oldest oak trees (some over 300 years old), the quality of its wood for Bordeaux coopers, etc. Enjoy the less straight paths around the many ponds (Pirot Goule St Bonnet Tronçais Morat and Tronçais, which you already know).
Each region has its own special features, and if you want to experience the diversity of the mid-range mountains, you should visit the Auvergne volcanoes, the Vosges and the Jura, which are more suitable for long hikes.
Or, another suggestion is to hire a mountain bike and explore the Tronçais forest off the beaten track. Enjoy your holiday.

Machine-translated

Hello, I live in the mid-range mountains and love forests and hiking at altitude. I'm spending a few days' holiday in the Allier and am interested in visiting the forest, but on looking into it, I realise it would be difficult for me to enjoy myself if there are only wide, busy, straight paths. My research gives me the impression of a forest that is criss-crossed and heavily controlled by humans. Am I wrong? If so, could you please recommend parts of this large forest with non-linear, uncrowded trails? I can walk up to 7 hours a day. Thank you in advance!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Route completed in 1 hour 30 minutes without breaks. Very beautiful views. Very pleasant route. Dogs are allowed. No difficulty. However, depending on the season, I think there must be a lot of people to encounter.

Machine-translated

It's always nice to make people happy. I appreciate all the comments, as I don't often respond to them. I don't see the point in responding to someone who is expressing their appreciation. However, I do respond to any criticism by correcting the issue as far as possible.
Happy hiking, everyone.
PIETINEUR (author of this hike).

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very cool and well-designed route

Machine-translated

Thank you for your message. The_Steph18
I am replying late because I was travelling when you sent your message and then I forgot about it.
Personally, I enjoyed doing it and describing it because I spent a month with the Scouts in 1968-1970, right at the end of the campsite, which didn't exist at the time. It brought back lots of good memories for me... except for the water chestnuts at the edge of the lake.
Enjoy your walks!

Machine-translated

Thank you for your message
Happy hiking!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk that I've done at least fifty times since I was a child, on foot, by bike, at night... In short, a walk to enjoy with the family in all weathers.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

attractive layout

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Walk around the Tronçais lake, the path is well maintained and signposted. But not very busy in the morning. You will come across fishermen or swimmers because part of the lake is equipped for this purpose with direct access from the campsite. Beware of horseflies, which are numerous. The Tronçais forest is renowned not only for its hundred-year-old oak trees but also for the sound of deer bellowing. You are unlikely to encounter these animals in this part of the forest, but if you remain still and silent for a few minutes early in the morning, other animals may pass within a few metres of you.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The walk is quite busy, very well maintained, and duckboards prevent you from getting your feet wet.
1 km is accessible to people with reduced mobility (wheelchair users).
The route is marked with signs, so it's impossible to get lost.
A lovely, shaded route that can be combined with a swim (beach supervised in summer).

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely, pleasant hike in the Tronçais forest (slightly away from the area of tall trees for which it is famous). Well suited to a family outing, as everyone can manage around 5 km on flat ground. The route is pleasant, with good paths and the wettest sections covered by wide, high-quality wooden walkways. It is worth noting the effort made to enable people with reduced mobility to enjoy the walk. Six hundred metres from the start, there is a car park on the side of the road leading to Tronçais, which is the start of a very well-designed area: it winds between the trees on hard ground, with the path lined with small wooden beams to prevent wheelchairs from veering off course. Along this one-kilometre stretch, there are numerous amenities (tables, benches, etc.) and, near the end, a jetty jutting out into the lake with an observation area reserved for people with reduced mobility. As the path is almost flat, it is also suitable for these people to walk along. This makes hiking all the easier.
The most beautiful views of the lake are in the first part and at the end when you reach the corner of the campsite (view of the entire length of the pond).
The hike was easy after a very rainy period. Muddy areas can be crossed using wooden footbridges or easily bypassed.
The trees in the forest, while not the large specimens planted under Colbert, are nonetheless beautiful. Their abundant shade makes this outing very pleasant in summer.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Double attraction: the tour of the ponds and the routes in the forest famous for its oak trees.

Machine-translated