Set off from the east side of the dyke. (1)
Take the road toward Saint-Fargeau for 800m. When you see the 1st stony path, turn right. After going past the Ferme des Caillots, turn right (2) down a dirt track. This track runs more or less parallel to the main road, which is 200m away, until you reach the hamlet of Guérins. However, you will need to cross over a little road (3) after following along the edge of the woods (Bois de l'Etang, on your right). When you reach the farm (Ferme des Guérins), go left around the buildings. Take the tarmacked road on the right after the “Stop à 150m” sign. This road soon becomes a path. (4) Walk alongside the hedge (some of the path is concrete) and then continue onto the little dirt track (the start of the track is not very clear). When you reach the little tarmacked road, walk down it to the right for 200m, to the village of Gauthiers. Turn right and then after the pond turn left (5).
Walk down this path and turn right at the first junction. Go straight on and at point (6), pass between the 2 stone columns to reach the dyke. On your left are the marshes and Charmoy river, and on your right is the start of the lake. Do not cross the dyke but turn right on the path that runs alongside the dyke or the wood, following the level of the water.
When you reach the second dyke, there is a campsite on your right and the water reservoir for the outdoor activity centre opposite you. Take the path that follows the riverbank or the woods, still following the level of the water. This path will bring back you to the main dyke.
The woods and riverbanks of Bourdon lake
Discover the flora and fauna that populate these old swamps that have shaped the environment of this lake, surrounded by woods and forests.
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 10.19 km -
Calculated time: 3h 05 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 53 m -
Vertical drop: - 53 m -
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Highest point: 268 m -
Lowest point: 209 m
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Area: Puisaye -
District: Saint-Fargeau (89170) -
Start/End: N 47.617345° / E 3.0907° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 2521SB -
Description
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 215 m - Lac du Bourdon
- 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 219 m
- 2 : km 3.08 - alt. 236 m
- 3 : km 4.69 - alt. 262 m
- 4 : km 5.18 - alt. 254 m
- 5 : km 6.07 - alt. 221 m
- 6 : km 7.2 - alt. 218 m - Camping de la Calanque
- S/E : km 10.19 - alt. 215 m
Useful Information
A very pleasurable summer hike. Outside this period, aside the muddy paths in the woods during rainy weather, this hike is very invigorating. Ignore any waymarks.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
You can swim in the private area near the campsite.
The village centre of St Fargeau with its castle and the museum of sound.
Quite nearby is the nature reserve of Boutissaint (wildlife reserve)
Other walks in the area
The three ponds loop
Walker 11.99 km
+101 m
-100 m
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Moutiers-en-Puisaye (89 - Yonne)
Marked hike N°44.
Across the woods and the fields, passing the ponds, you will discover areas where the earth has been shaped into artistic creations and pottery.
Sentier Colette - Walking with Colette
Walker 5.76 km
+76 m
-85 m
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye (89 - Yonne)
Marked hike N°1.
This trail, dedicated to Colette, was opened in 1993 by the pupils of the Colette college of Saint-Sauveur en Puisaye. Along this trail, everything recalls the works of this author, born in Saint-Sauveur en Puisaye in 1873. The author has described her birthplace so well - that even though she has given other names to the villages and characters, you can sense her literature at every corner.
Sentier de la Folie
Walker 11.64 km
+81 m
-74 m
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye (89 - Yonne)
Marked hike N°2.
A hike in the heart of the birthplace of Colette. Through woods and passing by ponds, often described in her work.
Le chemin du Tacot
Walker 6.75 km
+47 m
-43 m
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye (58 - Nièvre)
A rather short bucolic walk.
Le Tacot path passes nearby the ochre and clay quarries where a protected species of toad "Le sonneur à ventre jaune", the yellow bellied toad hides away. Easily identified thanks to its yellow and black striped belly, and its heart-shaped pupils, no doubt, remnants of its prince charming days..... Its bright yellow colour, signifying toxicity is a means of protection against its predators.
Water and Woods Hiking Trail
Walker 13.96 km
+143 m
-141 m
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Treigny (89 - Yonne)
Marked hike N°24.
Leaving from the fairground, you will walk along paths that have a mysterious past and are steeped in legends.
Guédelon’s Path
Tourist office 9.76 km
+75 m
-76 m
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Treigny (89 - Yonne)
Market circuit n°23.
In an hour walking, rendezvous in the 13th century, on a legendary path and meet the middle-age castles builders.
Springs, fountains and wash houses
Walker 
15.19 km
+168 m
-171 m
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing (89 - Yonne)
Marked hike N°7.
This hike is themed by springs and wash-houses. The water flowing from the springs supplies the groundwater of the Parisian Basin on the one hand, and the Seine by way of the Loing River on the other hand. It’s a very well-marked path (#7), through an unspoiled natural environment. This track can also be done on horseback or mountain bike. It is listed on the departmental walking and hiking map (PDIPR) established by the department of the Yonne.
Walking Tour – Discovering La Villéon in Puisaye
Walker 
8.62 km
+96 m
-97 m
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Bitry (58 - Nièvre)
Marked hike N°61.
Born in Fougères in Brittany, where there is a museum dedicated to his work, the painter Emmanuel de la Villéon lived on a semi-permanent basis from 1900 to 1935 in the manor house in the hamlet of Bitry. An admirer of Monet, he adopted the approach of the Impressionists.
This trail has the added attraction of panels composed of reproductions and commentaries. They allow the viewer to recognize some of the places painted by the artist, with their hedge-enclosed farmlands typical of the Puisaye.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.