Close to La Jonchère-St-Maurice is an Arboretum, in which you can have a short walk, ideal for a late afternoon/early evening stroll. The walk is only about 1km long and takes you through the different types of trees they have. All the trees are labeled and identified with their species and age. In 1999, there were some fairly serious storms in this part of France, and the result of this is still evident in the forest. At the top end of the walk you will pass a recently planted area, and above this old fallen trees are still in evidence. Some of these have, in fact, survived the storm and continue to grow at a 45 degree angle!

There is limited parking at two points on the walk, the first is shortly after you take the junction from the main road towards the Arboretum (you can see a sign for the entrance), the second is slightly further up the hill. This description is from the first of those points. Close to the start there is an information board, with a map showing this walk. It also provides you with some further information on the arboretum (in French). The walk is all on good tracks, although one section of the walk had recently had trees felled, so was a little unclear.

Walk Details:

Entering into the arboretum, follow the main path for a short distance. When you reach the pond, turn left, then follow the path up its far side - there are yellow waymark dots painted on some of the trees. At the top of the arboretum there is a bench upon which you can rest. From this point continue on the upper path (there is a lower path which would take you directly back to the car. This upper section of the path has been recently replanted with trees, and the storm damage is evident at this point. The path will bring you out to a quiet country lane. Turn right (passing the second parking spot) and follow the lane back down the hill to your start point.

This walk was completed and written by Jude Howat, June 2001

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