Arboretum de l'Espace, Camplong

Arboretum de l'Espace, Camplong, Variante 3H (I only took 2H30), 9km. This is a lovely easy and very peaceful walk through the forest and up onto the hill above Camplong for some super views. The walk starts by parking in the Arboretum car park at the end of the village. It was a very hot forecast again today so we took our picnic up to Camplong and walked along the stream where there are plentiful picnic benches and seats. The air is cool here and shay under the trees, our dog loves the water and it's a beautifully peaceful place to walk and listen to the birds and the water. The first part of the water is mostly level or a gentle slope. Once you arrive at the large chestnut store the path takes a left turn a continues up on a zigzag. Although this is not steep my husband decided to return the same way which is a lovely pleasant thing to do on a hot day, me being a bit of an explorer, I took our collie on up to complete the variante route. After the zigzag, the little path follows the valley with lovely views through the trees to reach a left turn and the last bench of the walk. Follow the path along as it contours a first through small trees and heather and then beech woods. The route takes a deep cut in through Oak trees and returns to chestnuts woods where you make your way down on a left turn. This is once again rather zig zaggy and in places a little tricky with small slippery stones so take care on the descent. Finally you reach a small chestnut store and the stream path where you turn right to return to the village and car park. There is a little cafe near the car park and a cafe in the village centre. Also the Pizza man is in Camplong on Saturdays in the village centre. Enjoy.