The Demoiselles trail invites you to discover a beautiful forest massif which offers you numerous viewpoints. The quality of the paths is appreciable and appreciated (beautiful hollow paths which wind through the chestnut thickets). They are in the shade for more than half of the route. The village of Saint-Nicolas-Courbefy opens its doors to you with its unexpected architectural heritage which is worth the detour (very beautiful little chapel and a house from 1832). The ancient village of Courbefy will whet the curiosity of some. Don't miss the good fountains which are located just before arriving at Courbefy. A sporty route for some people because the paths are hilly. You are in the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park on the edge of the Dordogne.
Route stages
Step 1 - Cross the RD64, take the path on the left which goes down into the chestnut wood, until reaching the Toulaudias road.
Step 2 - Take the road on the right for 50 m then the first path on the left at 1 m. Follow it for 10 m to reach a forest track. At the intersection, turn left, continue for 300 m, then turn right towards the stone forest path. At 70 m, turn left, leave the path on the right closed. Continue to the road, cross it and take the path opposite towards the Petites Forêts (note the beautiful undergrowth crossed).
Step 3 - At 450 m when you reach the houses of Petites Forêts, turn left, go down to the stream and cross it, continue straight on the beautiful path in the undergrowth. When you reach the road, turn left to reach the village of Mazérollas.
Step 4 - In the village, at the crossroads, cross the road and continue straight for 50 m. Leave the road by turning left, then turn right. Continue straight on this path, along a pond, climb into the chestnut coppice until you reach the road to the village of Saint-Nicolas-Courbefy.
Step 5 - At the road, turn right and go along the cemetery. Pass in front of the church. At the crossroads with the RD64, turn right, then 20 m later, take the alley on the left. 150 m further, at the crossroads, notice the house dating from 1832. Take the road on the right then the path on the left which climbs gently then descends among the chestnut coppices. At the crossroads of the 4 paths, continue straight for 200 m, turn right until you reach the road, 30 m further down. Variation: at the house from 1832, turn left onto the road then 20 m later take the dirt path which climbs to the right. In Courbefy, take the wide stone driveway on the left to reach the car park.
Step 6 - Take the road on the right to Chemin des Fraux, then turn left. After a small pond, follow the path along a fir plantation and then a nursery. When you reach the edge of the woods, turn right, take the first path on the left downhill and follow it to Moulin de la Jaurie.
Step 7 - At the mill, turn left and take the path along the pond, the path climbs slightly then turns left. When you reach the edge of the woods, follow the path along the edge of the meadow until you reach the ford. Cross it and follow the path under the oaks, hawthorns and hazelnuts. After following the hedge at the edge of the meadow, cross it to join a path that climbs 100 m further on, then take the stone path on the left towards Le Fournial.
Step 8 - In the village, take the road on the left, 200 m after the second bend, take a stone path on the left to the small pond. Pass the causeway of the pond then turn left, follow the path between the fence and the old railway line to the village of Combelevrault. Connections: after Fournial follow the small road on the left to Les Appeaux. At the first crossroads, turn right and follow the signs on the directional masts to reach either the "circuit des sources de la Dronne" or the Hermeline area and the start of the mountain bike trails.
Step 9 - At the road, cross the village and join the municipal road. Take the path opposite which climbs into the woods. Continue on the grassy path to enter a chestnut coppice. Always take a left on the hillside.
Step 10 - At the intersection, take the path straight up to Courbefy, below which are the good fountains. Follow it for 200 m, turn right and arrive at a traditional Limousin house.
Step 11 - At the Limousin house, (turn right to go to the chapel), turn left and follow the path in the meadow to the tennis court on the right. 20 m later, turn left to enter the woods and continue right along the meadow. Continue on this path to reach the starting point.