Rouffignac (17) 7km Ramble through forest, vines and farm land

 

Photos of this ramble in October 2024

Photos from our September 2023 ramble in Rouffignac.

7km - undulating but nothing very steep.  The walk can be quite tough due to the uneven grassy paths in places.  Follows the GRP de Saintonge for about half its length

Mixed surfaces but mainly off road on grassy tracks and paths through the forest.

Quite a bit of shade but a tough walk on a hot day.

Points of interest - The church in Rouffignac and the old cross.  Also some nice views over the countryside.

Start point - in the centre of Rouffignac in the parking by the Mairie and Eglise Saint Christophe just off the D253E1 (road to Villexavier). Ensure your Sat Nav is set to Rouffignac in 17 dept Charente Maritime.

Map and directions:

Hand drawn map with digital text.

Directions:

1. Leave the parking and turn left onto the D253E1 towards the Salle des Fetes and Ville Xavier.   Before the Salle des Fetes take the little footpath to the left and then climb up the hill to the right of the vines.  There is a little well/spring head on the left.   At the top of the vines turn left and then shortly right.  Continue along the path with the valley to your left and then turn left to descend into the valley.   

2. At the bottom turn right an d start a gentle climb up a grassy path.  Eventually the path goes left at a small pond and start walking towards some houses (La Salle).  Turn right onto the road / track and shortly cross a road to go straight on into the forest.  Eventually after a small fork to the right the view opens up into the vines.  Follow the track into the vines.

3.  At a T junction as you climb up towards and into the vines, turn left.   Continue and then turn left again and then quickly right as you walk through the vines.   Then turn left again and head along the path into the forest.  As you enter the forest the small path starts to climb.  Eventually you get back into the vines and then reach a road.  Turn left onto the road.  

4.  When you get to a house turn right and then left at the bottom of its garden.  You now start climbing again into and along the forest.   Again you eventually come to some vines and follow the path around to the left with forest on you left and vines to your right.  Then continue straight into another bit of forest which soon opens up onto farmland and a view of an earlier part of the walk.

5.  Turn right towards a tree plantation and the left to descend into the valley.  Eventually turn right onto a path/track which climbs slightly.  Continue along until a tree where a small road joins from the left.  Go right and eventually cross the road at an old cross.  Continue downhill and then uphill until you reach a house.  

6.  Turn left and walk towards the forest with vines on you right.  Continue straight and eventually you are walking across the top of a grassy field with trees on your right.   Eventually you will reach a road where you turn right and go back to the parking by the church.

It is recommended that you use the IGN Serie Bleue map 1534 Montendre to make it easier to follow these directions.

For a shorter 3.2km Get-in-Shape Walk here is an tinerary: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MHBRbEKZawViSREh8