Forêt d'Écouves, Forest in the Orne department, France
The Forêt d'Écouves is a large state-owned forest in the Orne department, sitting on a ridge inside the Normandie-Maine Regional Nature Park, with its highest point, the Signal d'Écouves, rising above 1,300 feet (400 m). The trees are mostly oaks, beeches, firs, and pines, crossed by a wide network of marked trails.
In the 13th century, the Forêt d'Écouves was a royal forest used mainly for hunting and timber. After a long period of heavy use that left it in poor condition, large replanting efforts at the end of the 19th century gave it the shape it has today.
The crossroads inside the Forêt d'Écouves are laid out in a star pattern, a design that was originally built for royal hunts. Walkers and cyclists today use these junctions as natural landmarks to find their way through the trees.
Most trails are flat or gently rolling and suitable for all levels, from first-time walkers to experienced hikers. Anyone planning a longer outing should allow plenty of time and bring waterproof clothing, as weather on the ridge can change quickly.
Deep in the forest lies a small bog called the Tourbière des Petits Riaux, where rare carnivorous plants grow in the wet ground. At one of the forest crossroads, a World War 2 tank has been left in place to mark the liberation of the area in 1944.
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