This hike n°3, somewhat sporty, offers you the chance to discover the built heritage of the villages by mountain bike. Pass by the castle of Guignicourt-sur-Vence and Gruyères while enjoying the wooded areas of this route.
At the starting sign, head towards Champigneul-sur-Vence.
Climb the hill and, at the exit of the village, follow the path on the left (marker 1/22). Go up towards the “high Bouly wood.”
Enter the wood and continue on this path for 1km until the junction.
At the junction, turn right to climb again and continue on the forest path.
Exit the wood and go straight to follow the fields.
At the junction, continue straight towards the hamlet of Barbe-en-Croc.
In the hamlet, turn left (marker 5/22) to follow the road for a few meters then head towards Gruyères.
Continue straight for 1.6km then cross the Gruyères road while still going straight.
After 800m, at the next intersection, continue straight.
At the junction, turn right (marker 9/22).
Follow this path and turn right again (marker 10/22) to descend into the woods.
Continue for 1km to reach the road then turn right to reach the village.
At the fountain, turn left.
Climb to the church along the Chateau de Gruyères and turn right to descend towards the village, then, at the intersection, turn left (marker 14/22) to exit it.
Climb the slope of the “Chemin du Gard” which will bring you back to the intersection.
This time go left (marker 15/22) to take the “Chemin de Thin,” already traveled in the opposite direction. At the road, turn right.
Continue for 600m and, at the yield sign on the departmental road, go up to the left (marker 18/22).
Then ascend the D3 for another 600 meters and turn right towards Mérale.
Follow this valley of Mérale and pass near the farm of the “Condanterie.”
At “La Saboterie,” continue straight towards Guignicourt-sur-Vence.
Border the park of the Castle, a must-see in this village. At the entrance of the village, turn right (marker 21/22) to admire the facade of the Castle and its annexes.
Turn left to ascend the main access alley and return to your starting point.