Tour of Saint-Maurice-de-Tavernole

A very beautiful hike to do in April or May to enjoy the orchids (more than ten varieties), but the environment is beautiful all year round with very beautiful, unobstructed views. Be careful when crossing the Roman bridge, the only difficulty but important if you are afraid of heights. It is possible to avoid it.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 71 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 73 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 74 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 29 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the church car park.

(S/E) Leave the car park, turn right, follow the road for about 300 m and turn left onto Rue de la République. Follow it, keeping to the left, go to the T-junction and turn left onto Route de la Bertonnerie. Continue to the first crossroads and turn right onto the path and go to the hamlet of Lavaud. Cross it and follow the road to the T-junction.

(1) Turn right onto the D148 and follow it carefully for about 150 m (see alternative route in the Practical Information section).

(2) Take the first road on the left at the top of the hill (caution: poor visibility). Follow this road and pass the Ancien Moulin de la Coterelle mill on your right.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right just before the woods. Follow the path and after a right-hand bend, turn left onto a grassy path.

(4) Cross the Rivière le Trèfle via the Roman bridge, but be careful if you are afraid of heights, or wade across in summer. Be careful as the current is strong and the water level may be too high (see alternative route in the Practical Information section). Follow the path to a road.

(5) At the road, cross carefully, go straight ahead and follow the road to the T-junction. Turn right, cross the hamlet and follow the road. Ignore the roads on the right and left, cross the D148 carefully and follow the road straight ahead.

(6) Continue along the path opposite. Cross a wood, join a larger path and turn right. Follow the path, cross a small bridge over the River Villier and arrive at a path.

(7) Turn right onto this path and then turn left at the second path after about 250 metres. Join the road in the hamlet of Les Écures.

(8) At the crossroads, turn right and then immediately right again onto Route du Trèfle, between two walls. Follow the road, cross the hamlet of Billonneau and take the path opposite. Follow this path straight ahead, ignoring the paths on the right and left, until you reach the road and the hamlet of Chez Piton. Follow the road straight ahead and ignore the first turning on the right.

(9) Immediately after, in the left-hand bend, take the path almost opposite (towards Le Moulin). Follow the path to the mill, turn left and follow the path to a road, then follow it a few metres to the right.

(10) Turn right onto the next path (or continue along the road for about 10 metres and take the orchid trail in the woods, which is very interesting in April and May). Follow the path (or the orchid trail) to a road. Turn right and follow the road straight ahead to the T-junction and continue right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 65 m - Church square
  2. 1 : km 1.69 - alt. 36 m - T-junction
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 42 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 29 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 3.51 - alt. 30 m - The - Trèfle (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Seugne
  6. 5 : km 3.92 - alt. 36 m - Crossing the road
  7. 6 : km 4.74 - alt. 48 m - Crossing the road
  8. 7 : km 5.36 - alt. 32 m - Fork in the path
  9. 8 : km 6.18 - alt. 43 m - Hameau les Écures
  10. 9 : km 8.32 - alt. 64 m - Messac
  11. 10 : km 9.17 - alt. 71 m - Fork in the road
  12. S/E : km 10.41 - alt. 64 m - Church square

Notes

If you are afraid of heights, after (2), do not turn onto the grassy path but continue straight ahead and join the road. Turn left and join the route just before (6). You will need the map to see the route (D148).

(1) Option: do not go to the T-junction, turn right just before it and go up past the vineyard. When you reach the road at the top of the vineyard, turn left and cross the D148 to take the path opposite.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 26190146

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy route. Not many people, but it was very hot that day and there isn't much shade.
One downside, however, is that the trail is supposed to include a visit to the orchids. While the site is indeed on the trail, it is unfortunately at all maintained and unless you have machetes and boots, it's impossible to access. You can see the signposts in the distance, which are a bit damaged, a sign that no one has been there for a long time. It's a real shame. Is it the town hall's fault? Lack of funds?
In any case, it's a lovely little hike that I recommend.

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colley
colley

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike under the sun and through the vineyards.

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~Elodie~
~Elodie~

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. Well described and the trail is easy to follow.
The scenery is varied and pleasant, with a special mention for the little bridge you have to cross. It is very narrow, so be careful. But in summer, the river is very low, and my dog preferred to cross it rather than use the bridge .
I highly recommend it. Thank you for this route, I will happily do it again.

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Mimette
Mimette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-marked hike with varied landscapes... a small section hasn't been mowed, so it's quite difficult to navigate, but I imagine the path will be cleared... be careful on the small Roman bridge, as it's quite slippery 😉
Definitely worth doing!

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chipie33290
chipie33290

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route with varied landscapes, but very few orchids and those that are there are very small. This may be due to the drought.
Those who are prone to vertigo should take care when crossing the Roman bridge (ford).
On Easter Monday, there was no one else on the trail.
Thank you for this trail.

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