Le Vey: Hiking and Climbing Routes

Le Vey can be explored through specific routes for a trip focused on hiking. The GR® de Pays Tour de la Suisse Normande leads to the parish church of Saint-Laurent and continues towards Thury-Harcourt – Le Hom; at Pain de Sucre, the view extends over Clécy and the bend in the Orne. There is also a 9 km circular hike starting in Le Vey and climbing routes at Les Rochers des Parcs. For your planning, it is worth distinguishing between these options by route and activity: one circular route starts in the village, while other routes name Le Vey as a waypoint or stage destination.

Saint-Laurent in the Local and Route Landscape

The parish church of Saint-Laurent is in Le Vey. It preserves 12th-century herringbone masonry and a narrow round-arched window on the south side; at the same time, it has been extensively altered. In herringbone masonry, the stones are laid at an angle to one another, creating a pattern reminiscent of fish bones. This makes it possible to consider the masonry technique and the shape of the window as two separate details, without overlooking the church’s alterations. The GR® de Pays Tour de la Suisse Normande passes Saint-Laurent in Le Vey. After crossing the bridge over the Orne, it leads to Le Vey and then follows the GR® 36 towards Thury-Harcourt – Le Hom. The church and the route come together here in Le Vey.

Forest Ascent, Views and Climbing Routes

The GR® de Pays Tour de la Suisse Normande also climbs through the forest to Pain de Sucre. From there, the view extends over Clécy and the bend in the Orne. Les Rochers des Parcs are another highlight in Le Vey. The Les Rochers des Parcs site in Le Vey is accessible from the car park below the viaduct. The site has 120 climbing routes, although the number may change as the site is managed. If this number of routes is important for your planning, check it before your visit. Les Rochers des Parcs is also one of the Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS) of the Calvados department.

Circular Route and Other Trails

The 9 km “Pain de Sucre – Rochers des Parcs” circular route starts in the village of Le Vey. The “Vallée de l'Orne autour de Clécy” hike follows a different route: it follows the GR® 36 to Le Vey, then crosses the bridge and returns to the starting point. When choosing a destination, the exact route matters: one hike starts in Le Vey; the other follows the GR® 36 there and then returns via the bridge. The November 2017 edition of the “Chevauchée de Guillaume” brochure describes Stage 6 from Roucamps to Clécy or Le Vey.

Discover more destinations: Ryes, Le Tronquay, Beaufour-Druval, Ouistreham, Saint-Ouen-Du-Mesnil-Oger, Varaville, Cahagnolles, Pierres

For the regional travel overview: Calvados.