Distance: 12 km
Duration (average) : 03h
Elevation: 45 D +
Departure: Swimming
LOOP
Not recommended in bad weather
Circuits of France_circuits
Circuits of France_POI
Outside
Registered with the PDIPR
Flora
As the water flows
Pink markup
Panoramic view
River or river view
River or river within 300 m
At the water's edge
In the countryside
Walking
Why we love
Nature lovers, you will be delighted by the countryside of Vindelle! Walk along the Charente river then take to the heights for a breathtaking view of the valley. To discover absolutely!
Your itinerary
Vindelle
1
Step 1
From the bathing car park, with your back to the latter, pass the barrier and follow the Charente, following the path which gently deviates from the edge of the river. At the end, turn left to reach the wooden bridge. Cross the Méronne by taking the stones of the “Puits Marot” ford and follow the road to the right for about 300 m. Take the path to the right, then turn left and go straight into the poplar grove. Turn left and follow the signs to the port of Guissalle.
2
Step 2
To see on the way the bridge of Coursac which replaced in 1874 a chain ferry and the barge of the port of Coursac which made it possible to cross the Charente, no bridge existing between Balzac and Vindelle. There was also traffic between Vars, Montignac, Champniers, La Rochefoucault, Hiersac and Rouillac. From one bank to the other, stones, sand, gravel, wood, passengers, oxen for the carts, horses were thus transported… in the middle of the bridge a plaque gives more details.
3
Step 3
Pass under the bridge. On the other side, you can see the Coursac mill.
Depending on the season, especially in spring, you can admire the guinea fowl fritillarium, marsh marigold and meadow crest, or birds making their nests such as the corncrake, swans, ducks... a real site to discover in the respecting.
On arrival at the port of Guissalle you can relax and have a picnic. The name of the village comes from Gué sal, the Gué du Sel, place of contraband unloading of salt between Guissalle and Chapelot to escape the Gabelle (salt tax). This is also why the road to Guissalle is called the road to the saulniers.
Go up, turn right "Passage des Calicobas", then follow the road towards Marsac.
Depending on the season, especially in spring, you can admire the guinea fowl fritillarium, marsh marigold and meadow crest, or birds making their nests such as the corncrake, swans, ducks... a real site to discover in the respecting.
On arrival at the port of Guissalle you can relax and have a picnic. The name of the village comes from Gué sal, the Gué du Sel, place of contraband unloading of salt between Guissalle and Chapelot to escape the Gabelle (salt tax). This is also why the road to Guissalle is called the road to the saulniers.
Go up, turn right "Passage des Calicobas", then follow the road towards Marsac.
4
Step 4
Go past the Guissalle mill, turn left, immediately right and cross the village of Gélinards.
Just before the exit, turn right into the path. Go straight ahead, go down and along the wood. Go up, turn right then left.
Go along to reach the road, turn left then immediately right. Go along then turn right at the 2nd white path. At the end, go down to the left.
At the intersection, turn left then immediately right, continue along the woods and catch up with the road to Vindelle. Take the latter for about 800 m then turn right into the white path. Turn left at the end and take the passage through the stones that crosses the Méronne.
A little further on, take the path to the right and at the end to the left to follow the Charente. Admire the pretty waterfall below the village of La Chapelle (Balzac). Continue to the starting point.
Just before the exit, turn right into the path. Go straight ahead, go down and along the wood. Go up, turn right then left.
Go along to reach the road, turn left then immediately right. Go along then turn right at the 2nd white path. At the end, go down to the left.
At the intersection, turn left then immediately right, continue along the woods and catch up with the road to Vindelle. Take the latter for about 800 m then turn right into the white path. Turn left at the end and take the passage through the stones that crosses the Méronne.
A little further on, take the path to the right and at the end to the left to follow the Charente. Admire the pretty waterfall below the village of La Chapelle (Balzac). Continue to the starting point.