Tour of the woods in the Epernay region

This is a lovely, easy walk that takes you around the woods of Épernay, which are private and closed to walkers.
This circuit passes through the Champagne vineyards and woods, offering magnificent views of the Marne and Cubry valleys.

Details

n°64462

Creation:
05 Jun 2014

Last update:
03 Nov 2025

Last review:
14 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 17.38 km
Average duration: 5h 30
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 201 m
Descent: - 202 m
Highest point: 248 m
Lowest point: 124 m

Country: France
District: Vauciennes (51480)
Start/End: N 49.049448° / E 3.884591°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2713E
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Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the town hall square in Vauciennes, take the small road towards the Chapotte farm (Rue des Vignes, this is a^GRP®®, more or less well marked).

(1) Pass in front of the farm and continue on the^GRP®® which goes around the hillside and joins the ring road overlooking the town of Épernay.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right. The route follows the^GRP®® to the top of the village of Pierry.

(3) Do not descend towards the village, but follow the yellow markings on the right. The idea is to stay at the top of the hillside and walk along the edge of the woods.

When you reach Saint-Martin-d'Ablois, the path descends through the vineyards and you will find yourself on a flat path.

(4) Take the first path on the right and climb back up through the vineyards, skirting the woods to reach the small road (D22) at the hamlet of Mont Bayen.

(5) Follow this road to the right uphill for a few hundred metres (watch out for cars) and take the first path on the left towards the Mont Bayen farm.

(6) 50 metres from the crossroads, take the path on the right across the fields.

(7) At the crossroads when you reach the Étang d'Orléans, continue straight ahead. There is usually an electric fence to cross. Open it carefully using the handles and make sure you close it again.

(8) Pass in front of the Limons farm and continue along the path without changing direction, through the woods.

(9) At the first crossroads in the woods, turn right onto the^GRP®® which leads to Vauciennes and takes you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 195 m - Town Hall Square
1 : km 0.71 - alt. 191 m - Chapotte Farm
2 : km 4.06 - alt. 163 m - Crossroads (ring road)
3 : km 5.78 - alt. 179 m - Leave the GRP and turn right.
4 : km 11.81 - alt. 124 m - Flat path, on the right
5 : km 12.7 - alt. 201 m - Mont Bayen, on the right on the road
6 : km 13.17 - alt. 232 m - Fork in the road, take the path on the right.
7 : km 14.42 - alt. 238 m - Etang d'Orléans crossroads, straight ahead
8 : km 15.7 - alt. 248 m - Ferme des Limons, straight ahead
9 : km 16.19 - alt. 235 m - GRP junction, on the right
S/E : km 17.38 - alt. 194 m - Town Hall Square

Notes

The starting point is in Vauciennes, as it is possible to park two or three cars in front of the town hall, which avoids having to climb the hill on foot. However, as this is a circular walk, the starting point can be set in Épernay, Pierry, Moussy or Saint-Martin-d'Ablois.

Do not set off without the map, as the^GRP®® and local route (yellow) markers are rather random. The route I give only uses rural (public) paths. Do not enter the woods overlooking this route, as they are private and the owners do not take kindly to trespassers.

In winter, the ground in the woods is muddy: wear high-top shoes or even boots.

During hunting season (approximately 21 September to 28 February), there are hunts on Thursdays and Saturdays: avoid these days, or stick to the vineyards. On other days, be careful, as there may also be hunters. Do not enter the woods if you hear shooting.

Worth a visit

In Vauciennes: pretty wash house and old church.

In Saint-Martin-d'Ablois: by extending the circuit, it is possible to picnic in the Parc du Sourdon (open from April to November, picnic tables, toilets, drinking water).

In Épernay: Champagne cellars and SNCF railway station.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

virgule

14 Sep 2025 at 18:35 7200

I wanted to go and check my route today, but we could hear gunshots.

I will go back later, when I know the hunting days.

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virgule

03 Mar 2025 at 11:41 3600 • Edited: 03 Mar 2025 at 11:47 3600

Hello,

The paths between points 5 and 8 do not exist and are private...

I pass through there at least once a year. The paths do exist; you can't really miss them. They are clearly visible on the aerial photo; they are not trails but wide paths.

When I published this route, the path was public. I will see if it has since been sold by the local authorities, which is possible. But that shouldn't stop you from passing through. Are there any prohibition signs?

Did you use the app?

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veropater

03 Mar 2025 at 09:24 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The paths between points 5 and 8 are non-existent and private... It's a real shame!
Otherwise, quite a lot of "hard" terrain on the southern slopes.

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virgule

04 Sep 2021 at 17:17 7200

Thank you

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didierjp

04 Sep 2021 at 16:47 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, sunny hike with varied landscapes and beautiful views!

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virgule

31 Aug 2021 at 20:17 7200

Today, the Orléans pond is full of water again. It's much prettier

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virgule

30 Aug 2021 at 19:13 7200

Hello,

there are now two lovely picnic areas on the circuit:

at km 8.8 in Moussy

at km 10.2 in Vinay.

They are easy to spot. They are more or less halfway along the route. Handy for a picnic.

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virgule

26 Jan 2021 at 02:48 3600

This is a lovely walk with no particular difficulties, allowing you to explore the woods of Épernay, which are private and off-limits to walkers.

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berthomas

25 Jan 2021 at 14:26 3600

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This hike is particularly interesting because, contrary to what its name might suggest, it does not take you through woods.

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virgule

18 Jul 2019 at 09:31 7200

Thank you for the photos.

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virgule

17 Jul 2019 at 23:46 7200

Sourdon Park is indeed a wonderful place, with cool ponds, magnificent trees, picnic tables and perfectly clean toilets.

I will amend my description regarding the GRP. In this region, the signposting comes and goes...

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ovil

17 Jul 2019 at 23:13 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We left from Epernay station and started the circuit at point 2.
At point 4, we headed down to Saint Martin d'Ablois and went to Sourdon Park for a picnic, then continued along the PR to point 5 to rejoin the circuit.
The village, with its wash houses, fountains and 16th-century church, is well worth a visit. What's more, it has all the shops you need. Sourdon Park is a great place to take a break in the shade of the tall trees and enjoy the coolness of the Sourdon.
The only drawback is that you have to follow a fairly busy road to get there.
The PR follows the route of the old CBR (Reims suburban path). It is a wide path through the forest.
It would have been a shame not to make this detour.
Currently, the paths are very dry and hard.
The description says to follow the GR 14, whereas on the map between Vauciennes and point 2, the path is called GRP between Marne and Champagne and between points 2 and 3, GRP de la cote des blancs. This route is marked in yellow and red (GRP).

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virgule

28 Apr 2019 at 19:11 7200

Hello,

i did part of the circuit again today. The Orléans pond is dry (temporarily) and the path through the woods before the pond has been dug up, so it's difficult to walk on.

It's still a wonderful walk, though

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virgule

06 Jul 2018 at 09:44 7200

Do not do this route at night, early in the morning or late in the evening. We were surprised to encounter hunters at around 8 p.m. Apparently there are too many wild boars, and they are allowed to shoot them.
During the day, there's no problem.

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virgule

24 Jun 2018 at 20:15 7200

Yes, it must be done, otherwise the game would ravage the crops. It is safe, but you must only touch the handles.

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