Tour of Lake Der via cycle paths and the forest

Walk around Lac du Der on paved cycle paths through the forest and along the dykes.

Details

659238
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Touring/Gravel
    Activity: Touring/Gravel
  • ↔
    Distance: 35.02 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 20 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 156 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 134 m

Photos

Description of the route

Braucourt beach car park.
(S/E) Head towards the car park exit, turn right and continue for 500 metres (take care, you are on the road).

(1) Turn left at the start of the cycle path and follow this path for 2 km.

(2) Turn left immediately after the barrier, continue along the tarmac forest road from Beaulieu for 2 km.

(3) Continue on the cycle path that runs alongside the D384 road (you will pass the Sources du Lac campsite) heading north for approximately 2.6 km.

(4) Turn left heading west and cross the footbridge over the Der canal.

(5) Turn left, continue for 250 metres and take the Route Forestière des Mares, still heading west (be careful on this section of road) for 1.6 kilometres.

(6) Take the cycle path on the left and continue along the dyke for 1.6 km.

(7) Turn right onto the road (caution: section on road) for 600 metres.

(8) Turn left and continue on the road for 2.6 km, passing the Cornée campsite.

(9) Take the cycle path on the left to the port of Nuisement for 4.5 km, continue straight ahead after the barrier and turn left onto the cycle path for 1.6 km.

(10) Turn left and continue for 2.5 km to Larzicourt beach. Leave the cycle path and continue straight ahead on the Larzicourt road for 600 m.

(11) Turn left and take the cycle path for 5.6 km to Port de Chantecoq (please note that this route is shared by cars and bicycles).

(12) Continue straight ahead on theGR®14Bfor 9 km to Port de Giffaumont.

(13) Go around the port, past the boats heading north-east, cross the metal footbridge and climb the track for 250 metres.

(14) At the crossroads, turn right (take care on the road) and return to the Braucourt campsite car park 600 metres away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 143 m - Braucourt beach car park
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 143 m - Cycle path on the left side of the road
  3. 2 : km 2.38 - alt. 154 m - Turn left at the barrier
  4. 3 : km 4.58 - alt. 154 m - On the left at the edge of the D384
  5. 4 : km 7.06 - alt. 140 m - Turn left towards the footbridge
  6. 5 : km 7.25 - alt. 141 m - Turn left towards the forest road
  7. 6 : km 9.08 - alt. 143 m - Turn left onto the cycle path
  8. 7 : km 10.74 - alt. 143 m - Road on the right
  9. 8 : km 11.27 - alt. 139 m - Road on the left
  10. 9 : km 13.56 - alt. 142 m - Cycle path on the left
  11. 10 : km 18.98 - alt. 142 m - Turn left at the barrier
  12. 11 : km 21.37 - alt. 134 m - Turn left onto the cycle path.
  13. 12 : km 26.06 - alt. 143 m - Port de Chantecoq
  14. 13 : km 32.23 - alt. 143 m - Port of Giffaumont
  15. 14 : km 34.38 - alt. 144 m - Turn right at the crossroads
  16. S/E : km 35.02 - alt. 143 m - Braucourt beach car park

Notes

Toilets, water points and shelters are available at campsites and at Port de Giffaumont.
Food is available in season or at weekends in the villages and campsites.
This route is valid if you start from any car park around the lake; just follow the waypoints.
I recommend starting in this direction because there are some small hills at the beginning in the forest and after the (6) it is flat. If you take it in the opposite direction, you will have flat terrain at the beginning and hills at the end.
Enjoy your walk.

Worth a visit

Lac du Der, the largest artificial lake in Europe, is home to many birds that inhabit this ornithological reserve. For more information, the offices of the Champagne Ardennes Bird Protection League are opposite the Port de Chantecoq or the tourist office at the Port de Giffaumont.
The best time to observe them is when the common cranes arrive in September.
There are numerous lodges and campsites around the lake.
Please note: the cycle path is also used by pedestrians, hikers and a few birdwatchers with their binoculars or tripod-mounted telescopes, so please ring your bell (which you must have on your bike) 10 to 20 metres before reaching a person or group to alert them and avoid injuring anyone or falling. Thank you.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Thierry WAW
Thierry WAW

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well suited to mountain biking, but entirely feasible on a road bike, with tarmac all around

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nous3354
nous3354

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hello, we cycled around the lake on hybrid bikes, setting off from Sainte Marie du Lac Nuisement (where we were staying) and heading towards Larzicourt. It was a great route, well signposted, with beautiful views of the lake. It was the migration period for grey cranes. At Port Chantecoq, there was an LPO stand where you could borrow a telescope and get some very helpful explanations. a highly recommended route with no particular difficulties.

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GYORS M
GYORS M

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, easy route except in windy conditions, as it can sometimes become difficult. Best regards.

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courjus52
courjus52

Hello, it's up to each individual to decide. Of course, you need to check the wind direction before setting off. Best regards.

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hjager
hjager

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

However, your advice to start the tour from Giffaubert-Champaubert on the right-hand side, beginning with the section in the woods and along the road, means that we end up on the dyke with the wind in our faces, which is a bit tricky.

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Le club des 6
Le club des 6

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The entire route was completed by mountain bike by a group of six friends. We covered 41 kilometres, stopping for a picnic at 25 kilometres. It was a great day and we all loved it I recommend it, as there are no difficulties if you start from the woods. We'll definitely be doing it again!

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Alex2951
Alex2951

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb walk, very well signposted route, I recommend it

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veromic
veromic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Great family outing. Lots of facilities around the lake for taking breaks.

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randonneurfou89
randonneurfou89

Scheduled for release in autumn when the cranes arrive
I already know the site and it's a joy
In autumn around 4 pm, the sky is ablaze and the return of the cranes is impressive

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frenchydoc1
frenchydoc1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful bike ride on a route with little elevation gain. The starting point is very well chosen, with a large, pleasant car park in front of a playground and a quiet area. We did this route on a sunny day and in the direction indicated. The first part (up to point 9) is pleasant and shaded in the forest. The second part was a little more challenging in the sun. Fortunately, the drink break at the port of Giffaumont in the covered, shaded café was very welcome. The end of the route at the port and on the footbridge offers a magnificent view of the entire lake. We watched large catfish being hauled up at the slipway in the port of Nuisement. This hike is definitely worth doing and repeating as it is very easy to follow with the signposts all around the lake.

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ffrantz
ffrantz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We usually offer this route in summer to friends who come to visit us and are not from the area. It is always very popular. We leave from Larzicourt, which is closest to our home there is usually space to park when we arrive in the morning around 9:30-10:00 a.m. We do the tour in the indicated direction (which is preferable because the prevailing wind is in the wrong direction when we already have quite a few kilometres in our legs) and on the way back we go for a swim at Larzicourt beach and have a picnic. Guaranteed success
No difficulty as it is fairly flat, well paved throughout and safe.

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Laurentpyr
Laurentpyr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very easy as there is little climbing involved. View of the lake and wildlife, mountain bike ride, it was very pleasant.

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courjus52
courjus52

Hello philpatrick,
thank you for your review. For the information of other hikers, there is a grocery shop in the centre of the village of Eclaron, open seven days a week, and a few restaurants on the port of Giffaumont.
Yes, I can confirm that the shops around the lake are only open during the season, which is a shame.
The "Cornée du Der" beach should be avoided in summer because there are processionary caterpillars (only found in this location).
Enjoy your walks.

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philpatrick
philpatrick

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Having cycled around the lake on a very hot day, we set off along the opposite route (starting from Giffaumont) so that we could enjoy the return journey through the forest in the afternoon. We are only 'Sunday' cyclists and the hills are not particularly challenging(rather easy with a good bike). The route is pleasant and I recommend (if you are doing the route in one day as we did) that you plan to have a picnic, as there are no grocery stores at the start of the season along the route (it is probably busier in the summer).I recommend La Cornée du Der beach, which is very well equipped (with shade) for a refreshing break and enjoying the beach. Have a good trip!

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natvanwetter
natvanwetter

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Bring binoculars – it's even more fun!

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