Randonnée "Entre forêt et bocage"

Starting at Le Fief-Sauvin, in the municipality of Montrevault-sur-Èvre, the "Between forest and bocage" trail offers a loop of around 20 kilometres. This trail, recommended by the Ôsez Mauges tourist office, invites you to take to the heights of the region.

The Leppo Forest: a plant and historical heritage
The heart of this walk is the Leppo forest. This forest, one of the largest in the Mauges region, occupies a plateau at an altitude of over 100 metres. Its name is thought to have originated from the ancient existence of a leper colony on the edge of the forest, although other sources refer to a root associated with the hare (lepus).
The site's history is marked by its role as a refuge. During the Vendée Wars, the density of its oak and hornbeam trees made it a strategic retreat for the local population. In earlier times, the proximity of the Roman camp at La Prée attests to a very ancient human occupation, favoured by the plateau's dominant position. Today, the forest offers shady lanes where the peace and quiet is punctuated only by forestry activity and the passage of wildlife.

A transition to the Anjou bocage
As you leave the forest cover, the path opens onto the bocage. The sunken paths, bordered by hedgerows, mark the boundaries of the grazing plots. This unspoilt rural landscape provides an opportunity to observe the architecture of the traditional farms and small religious buildings, such as the crossroads calvaries, that dot the route.

Practical information:
- Distance: 20 km
- Average duration: 5 hours
- Signposts: Yellow
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate