The Apple-Spangled Elf Trail

Just behind the swing seat, where the goats watch you with a curious eye, a small mown path starts discreetly. It runs alongside their enclosure, then follows the young hedgerow planted in 2023, before gently disappearing into the woods.

This path is the Gnome Pomme Trail: a loop of just under a kilometre, marked in the heart of the grounds, reserved for the guests of the gîte. A simple, natural, accessible trail, but not quite like the others...

🌳 A peaceful stroll, along the slope

The path forms a loop of about 800 metres, which can be leisurely walked in 10 to 15 minutes. It follows the contours of the terrain, gently sloping in some places, a bit more pronounced in others — but nothing insurmountable.

No steps, no major obstacles, except sometimes a fallen branch that you will need to step over or go around with a smile, as if to greet the forest.

The ground is regularly mowed to maintain a clear and welcoming path, while respecting the natural appearance of the place. Just follow the path: it will lead you to the heart of the woods, then gently bring you back to the lodge.

🍂 A living wood, in full transformation

This small wood of about one hectare has remained wild for a long time. Some trees have died naturally, others are growing back crooked, and moss is settling everywhere. Rather than taming it, we have chosen to accompany it, by removing what hinders without cleaning everything, by scattering a few seeds of hardy flowers, by opening up passages… all while allowing nature to do its part.

Each season, the trail changes appearance:

• in spring, young shoots awaken forgotten corners,
• in summer, shade protects and refreshes,
• in autumn, the leaves accumulate in a golden carpet,
• in winter, the wood reveals itself in its most bare form.

Little by little, touches of colour appear. Nothing excessive, nothing forced. Just a few botanical surprises, here and there, reminding us that beauty arrives quietly.

🧚‍♂️ The trail signs: markers of another world

Along the path, six wooden panels have been installed at chosen locations. Each one bears a short phrase, a thought, a breath. These messages have been carefully crafted, made right here, in connection with the spirit of the place.

They do not give instructions, do not ask questions. They suggest. They evoke. They leave room for imagination.

They are discovered along the way, sometimes half-hidden, sometimes in full light. They punctuate the stroll without ever guiding it. They are poetic milestones, perhaps whispered by Diben himself.

🌅 The moment of the evening: between light and silence

If you have the chance, return to the path at sunset. At that time, the golden rays pass between the trunks, caress the leaves, and transform the undergrowth into a theatre of soft shadows.

The wind drops. The sounds fade away. The light becomes denser, warmer. We then walk in a world that is slowly falling asleep, where everything seems frozen… except for the song of a bird or the discreet crack of a twig.

An ideal moment to stop. Breathe. Listen. And perhaps... feel a benevolent presence nearby.

🏡 An activity to do and redo

The Path of the Apple Goblin is not a spectacular activity. It is a pause. A peaceful loop to do on the day of arrival, in the early morning, when returning from a day of visiting, or even just before leaving again.

Each passage is different. Children quickly tame it. Adults often find a simple pleasure in it: that of walking in silence, or looking at things differently.

And sometimes, we come across a doe. Or a hurried field mouse. Or nothing at all… but we feel that something has seen us pass by.

📌 In summary

• Departure: behind the swing seat, at the level of the goats, along the hedgerow
• Route: loop of approximately 800 m on sloping terrain
• Access: reserved for guests of the cottage
• Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
• Difficulty: easy, despite a few sloped sections and a rebellious branch in places
• Ambience: natural wood, calm, shade and light
• Panels: 6 poetic phrases punctuate the journey
• Price: free (included in your stay)

🎒 And after?

Back at the cottage, why not extend the walk?

A drawing, a story to invent, a new exploration… The path never reveals everything all at once.

And if you pass by there again, keep your eyes wide open. Diben does not show himself, but he is watching.