Between mounds and valleys

Embark on a mountain bike ride that will take you through hillocks, valleys and the villages of Rochefort, Bullion and Bonnelles

Description of the hike

Start Point: In Bonnelles, park in the sports center car park.

1. Exit the parking lot and at the intersection turn right. Always follow this street straight ahead, then at the roundabout take the opposite direction in “all directions” via Chemin des Clos.

2. At the D 988, cross it and take the dead end opposite, then turn immediately right onto the dirt road which crosses the fields and always follow straight ahead (you are on the GR, marked red and white).

3. After the chapel on your left, you pass two successive bridges: pass the barrier and then continue straight ahead on this GR marked path to the road.

4. At the road on the left then at the fork left again following the GR.

5. At the end of the street, at a water pump, turn left onto the GR, then at the next intersection turn right onto the GR 655. Continue straight on this road until you reach the edge of the forest.

6. At the edge of the forest, turn right along the path and follow it straight on: you will soon pass the Haras de la Cense estate on your right.

7. At the fork, continue to the right, still following the stud farm. Soon you will see the buildings: go to the end of the path.

8. At the end of the main building, turn left onto the wide path which you do not leave until you reach the road.

9. At the road on the right, then down the road at the entrance to Rochefort again on the right, then first path on the left (chemin de la Garenne). Option: at the bottom of the road at the entrance to Rochefort you can turn left to
visit this town.

10. You cross the D 988 on a footbridge, always follow this main sandy path. Further on you pass a property on your right, then the path opens onto a road.

11. At the road turn left. You arrive in Moutier on the Route des Yvelines which you take on the right towards Bullion. (Option: turn left at the Route des Yvelines then at the crossroads on the right and discover the Sainte-Anne chapel).

12. After the bend, at the pedestrian crossing with a bus stop, take the path on your left (chemin des Brodernes). You enter the forest, leave a path on your right and at the fork, follow the path on the right until you reach a large crossroads.

13. At the large crossroads turn right along the grassy path, you are soon on the edge of the forest (in the background, you can see the Carneaux farm). Continue this path straight downhill until you reach the road.

14. At the D 61 turn right and enter Les Carneaux where you will take the first left towards “Ferme des Carneaux” and pass the “Moulin Béchereau”.

15. Arriving in front of the sign “Foret Départementale de Ronqueux”, leave the road and take the path on your right. Leave the path on your left behind a barrier, to continue straight on this path until you reach a fork.

16. At the fork turn left onto the path which goes up marked PNR (blue and white): follow it until the D 149.

17. At the road, cross it to take the path opposite, following the PNR markings. You will cross the fields downhill, then catch up with another road. On this road turn left, then immediately right through the “Clos du Puits” (attention: road in the wrong direction) always following the PNR markings.

18. You cross the houses: take the first path on the right which crosses the forest, marked PNR and do not leave this main path until you arrive at the Pony club.

19. Arriving opposite the Pony club, join the road on your right, then the road on the right until you reach the D 132. At the stop sign, leave the PNR markings and turn right onto the D 132. Follow this road straight on towards Bullion. At the roundabout straight on until the stop sign.

20. At the D 149 turn left towards Rochefort, then at the small median on the left onto Chemin du Pipeu which you go straight on until you arrive in the forest. Then continue along the path and cross the footbridge. Take the path opposite (Follow the PNR signage).

21. You encounter a steep climb then cross a muddy plateau, then come to a rocky descent. Stay on this main path until the D 988.

22. When you arrive near the road, do not join it and opt for the grassy path on your left which passes through the field. Follow this path to Osmonds Stables.

23. At the stables take the Chenin on your right which runs along the wall of the nature reserve.

24. Arriving on the road opposite a sewage treatment plant, turn left and 85m further take the path on your right which climbs through fields and runs alongside a wood.

25. At the crossroads, turn left then at the D 988 cross it again and enter Bonnelles. Then always straight on along the same path as on the way out. You are back.