THE VALLEY OF MISERY

This steep-sided valley, overhung on either side by rocky bars and scree of Armorican sandstone dating back to the Quaternary period, forms a unique site in the Pays de La Loire region. Of interest for its fauna, flora and, above all, its geology, this site is one of only a handful of Espaces Naturels Sensibles (sensitive natural areas) in the Sarthe region.Starting and finishing in Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, a 6 km green signposted trail, which is fairly difficult due to its frequent changes in level and scree, invites you to discover a remarkable Espace Naturel Sensible: the Vallée de Misère. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is an area where miners led a life of misery. The site is so named to shelter a specific natural area, poor in biodiversity but rich in memory. The river Sarthe has worked the rock, running over polished granite blocks dating from the Ice Age, leaving characteristic stone screes on either side. The valley's stone is a reminder of prehistoric times, when the sea occupied the area. Nothing grows on this miserable, stony site. But all around, in the dry meadows, a variety of orchids and rare butterflies flourish. This trail can be linked to Saint-Paul-le-Gaultier's Bois de Chemasson.