The Woodpecker Walk

It would be tremendously easy for me to go to Pampigny and do the usual three or four walks. Today i didn’t. I decided to explore a new route. Rather than walk up to the walks, and then turn, and walk along fields, I went into the woods.

The reward was the sound of at least one woodpecker, the sound of songbirds, and a quiet moment in the woods. Since trees are just starting to come out of hibernation from this winter, the woods are quite bright with light, and you can see the forest, for the trees, rather than obscured by leaves. It was dry.

We also had a warm southern wind and I spotted a group of Italians that had chosen to have a barbecue in the woods. There are no fire warnings in place so this is an ideal moment.

I love walking in the woods, but after unpleasant encounters with dogs on walks, two or three years ago, I lost the desire to walk there. Today it seemed quiet so I took the risk. I was rewarded. The conditions were great and I was reminded of my love for arboreal walks.

For someone with my walking speed the walk takes an hour and a half. If you walk as a normal person, stopping to take photos, to have a picnic and more, then it can take two and a half hours to three hours. It’s accessible by train via the Morges to L’Isle train,by bike, if you’re sporty, or using electric, and by bus, if you prefer buses. This walk presents a great view of the Alps on a day like today. You can clearly see the Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains. I would recommend it.

I am tempted to say that the woods provide a nice gravel segment for people with gravel bikes. Beware the arch tree. It’s pictured in my related Strava activity.

I would happilly do this walk again, with a group.