Around the Fortress of Mornas

The first part of the hike is through the woods, followed by a ridge trail offering superb views of the Rhône valley. At the end of the trail, you will arrive above the fortress.

Details

468939
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 156 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 157 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 196 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 36 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Mornas (84550)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.20737° / E 4.727619°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3040OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park north of Mornas, along the N7.

(S/E) Head north on the side road that runs alongside the RN7 for 300 m.

(1) Turn right to pass under the SNCF bridge and, at the end of the bridge, turn right again and continue for 30 m. Then take the marked path that branches off to the left.

(2) At the first crossroads, continue along the marked path that branches off slightly to the right. Then take a small tarmac road on the left.

(3) At a fork, leave the marked trail and continue straight ahead on Chemin des Pintoles, followed by Chemin de Mérindol.

(4) Before the quarries, turn right onto Chemin Blanc and follow it to the ridge.

(5) Just before the intersection of the paths, take theGRP®® trail on the right marked in yellow and red. This trail runs more or less parallel to the track until you reach the Chapelle Saint-Baudile.

(6) At the chapel, follow the signs that go off to the right towards the west, then south-west, and join the entrance to the Fortress of Mornas. Then go down the wide, steep access road. Pass the cemetery, go under the railway line and arrive at a square.

(7) At the end of the square, take the Porte Saint-Nicolas on the right and stay on the Grande Rue, which crosses the entire village until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 40 m - Mornas North Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 38 m - SNCF bridge
  3. 2 : km 0.62 - alt. 82 m - Les Breteaux
  4. 3 : km 1.48 - alt. 102 m - Go straight ahead at the fork
  5. 4 : km 2.63 - alt. 99 m - Chemin Blanc on the right
  6. 5 : km 3.46 - alt. 150 m - Arrival on the ridge
  7. 6 : km 4.84 - alt. 186 m - Saint-Baudile Chapel
  8. 7 : km 5.8 - alt. 38 m - Porte Saint-Nicolas
  9. S/E : km 6.41 - alt. 39 m - Mornas North Car Park

Worth a visit

The Fortress of Mornas is currently undergoing restoration but is open to visitors (guided or unguided tours) on different days and at different times depending on the time of year. For more information, visit the website

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 58 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
eric07
eric07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting route, but you need to be careful in windy conditions.

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SylT
SylT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The somewhat acrobatic arrival at the fortress, with the descent down the rock face, may be challenging for those who are less agile.

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mmg84
mmg84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, except for one slightly tricky section for us older folks who are less flexible: descending a rock face. This can be done safely, but to avoid it, I think you can take the parallel forest path. Beautiful views of the Rhône Valley and the fortress.
Thank you.

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Fil34
Fil34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice little walk, but not accessible for pushchairs.

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CALVINB
CALVINB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 1 hour 50 minutes on the evening of 31 August. We had been seeing this fortress at the top of the cliff for a long time when driving along the motorway, and we kept saying to ourselves that we should take a closer look one day... Now we have, thanks to this lovely hike through varied landscapes: first you follow the valley to the left of the fortress through the forest and the small village, then you walk along the ridge and arrive above the fortress, before descending to the small town of Mornas. It's all worth seeing, it's really very pretty.

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Le Did
Le Did

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A well-marked hike, interesting along the ridge thanks to the view of the Rhône valley, then the impressive fortress with its imposing size.

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Claje
Claje

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent buckle
Very enjoyable
A few slightly more difficult sections

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Sissou30
Sissou30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful landscapes and stunning views at the end of the hike. However, there was an unexpected difficulty with a rock that had to be climbed, but it was still manageable. I would say the difficulty level is moderate rather than easy, but this hike is definitely worth it, especially the second half (after the rather long and uninteresting section on the paved road).

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Xav26D
Xav26D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike with beautiful views. The section between points 2 and 3 is paved and not very interesting. After point 5, there is a short technical section to descend the rock, but nothing insurmountable.

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PENEZ PATRICK
PENEZ PATRICK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty Beautiful landscapes to the west and then to the south Beautiful chapel Imposing fortress Crossing Mornas via the "Grande Rue" interesting

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Cécilec73
Cécilec73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike with beautiful views; if you follow the recommended route, you don't notice the climb (much steeper in the opposite direction). Interesting surroundings and very accurate description. However, be careful on two or three rocky sections that are a little slippery and steep.

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msjp
msjp

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk overall. Be careful not to take the wrong path after the chapel, otherwise you will have to go back up. I would classify this hike as "moderate" in terms of difficulty.

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Soufranc
Soufranc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting walk because there are lots of beautiful views, a chapel and, the highlight of the walk, the arrival at the castle. However, there is one small downside in terms of ease, as there are a few difficulties, including finding the right path. The signposting is not always clear and alternates between red and yellow, yellow and then at times nothing at all. In addition, at point 5, there is a slightly difficult section: a steep rock on the descent; fortunately, wear and tear has created a kind of steps, which help considerably.
The description is accurate and the time taken corresponded to our walking time.
Thanks to whoever mentioned this hike.

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skorpion222
skorpion222

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After a leisurely stroll, we ended up visiting the fortress

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amjp84200
amjp84200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

EXCEPT for the last part, which is actually quite dangerous for a hike that is advertised as easy

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