Saturday, September 08, 2012

Trail marker

This is an official trail marker on one of the hiking trails in the Cher Valley. It means that you're on the right path and that you should not turn. There's another kind of mark for turning, and other marks (shaped like x's) to tell you if you're on the wrong path.

If you squint your eyes just right you might see a face in this tree.

Somebody comes through periodically to re-paint the markers. I've walked on part of the trail between our house and our little town and between our house and Saint-Aignan, but I've not gone any farther.

6 comments:

  1. That's a really clever way of marking the trail, and probably less expensive than having elaborate signage.
    Loved the tree face.

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  2. Does the trail have a name? Have you seen any hikers on your part? Maybe you'll venture out a little farther someday...

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  3. Wouldn't being on the right or wrong trail be determined by where you're going?

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  4. Yes, I spied the tree face, too! Clever.
    I had no idea about markings of trees in France to identify trails. Are there markers that you've seen in other parts of France?

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  5. The red and white marker are 'Grande Route' trails; they go all over Europe. More on them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GR_footpath

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  6. I just watched a good movie directed by Emilio Estevez. "The Way" is about a father and son (Emilio and Martin Sheen) who hike the pilgrimage trail from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. The pilgrimage route is well marked. From Paris, starting at la Tour St. Jacques, follow la Rue St. Jacques (marked with scallop shells) south and you'll arrive in Santiago in a month or two.
    My book club just read "En Avant, Route!"; the author describes her 3 pilgrimages to Santiago. . Her last trip left directly from her house in the Loire Valley, because as she explains, the true start of Le Chemin is from wherever you live.

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