Around Souspierre

For experienced hikers, this is a beautiful hike, partly through the woods on unmarked trails. After a very beautiful passage along the ridge, they lead to cliffs followed by a dizzying descent into a rocky ridge to the Grotte de l'Ermite, a natural excavation in the rocks. Above, stand the summit of Châtelard and the ruins of an ancient watchtower dating from the Middle Ages, destroyed during the Wars of Religion. The panoramic view over the valley is superb.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 804 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 804 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 677 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 232 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Souspierre town hall.

(S/E) From the car park, return to the RD179, marked in red and yellowGRP® du Pays de Dieulefit, and take it on the left to the next crossroads. Turn right onto the small road leading to the Bayanne farm.

(1) Go up to the left, following a well-marked track, ignoring the various paths that cross it.
This track continues between two rocky outcrops, under a ruined tower (top right). Continue along this marked route. The track descends slightly, then forms a wide hairpin bend above a stream, before climbing gently up to the Combe des Oursières mast.

(2) Turn left heading north. Continue climbing through the woods for about 2 km, ignoring the various paths that cross the main track. You will come to a fork.

(3) At this point, the marked trail forms a 90° angle to the right. Leave it and continue straight ahead, heading northeast, ignoring the various cross-markings on a tree, along a path climbing towards the ridges. It quickly turns into a well-marked trail, running along the ridge to its end.

(4) At the end of the ridge, the path descends slightly through boxwood at first, then quickly becomes a very steep trail leading to the Petit Pas. Be careful, this very steep and exposed descent passes through a rocky outcrop: exercise extreme caution. Reach the Petit Pas.

(5) On the way back, climb up opposite, heading east, towards the summit of Châtelard. A few cairns mark the way. You will reach a small path and the Grotte de l'Ermite. To the right of the cave, a small steep path leads, after a few rocky passages where you will need to use your hands, to the summit of Châtelard.

(6) Turn back to the Petit Pas.

(5). Descend to the left along a path to the marked GPR Tour du Pays de Dieulefit trail. Follow it to the right, ignoring the various paths on the right that join it.

(7) Reach the next crossroads. Leave the marked trail for an unmarked path opposite, heading south. Stay on this main path for about 800 m until you reach the intersection with the first hairpin bend on the right (cairn).

(8) Take this path, which climbs slightly at the start and then levels out. Stay on it, ignoring the small paths that join it. There are a few ribbons in the trees. Cross a very small stream, which is often dry. Do not go down into the ravine on the left, but continue straight ahead until you reach the next junction with a track.

(9) Follow it up to the right for about 250 m. You will reach a crossroads with four paths (here, there is a slight discrepancy between the IGN map and the actual terrain). Take the path on the left, heading south, which descends into the bed of the Bridon stream in Combe Jallet.

(10) After about 250 m, the path splits in two. Follow the left path, the left bank of the stream, and join the RD540*.

(11) Follow it to the right until you reach the bridge, then cross it. Take the small road to the next junction. Take the track on the right. After a bend, you will reach a stream.

(12) Just before the stream, take the path on the right alongside a horse park (wire fence). The path runs alongside the stream, then climbs north-west towards the Faucon ridge. Stay on the path, which is not very visible, climbing towards the ridge (green markings in the opposite direction). The path then turns west and joins a yellow-marked track.

(13) Take this marked track on the right and stay on it until you reach the road.

(14) Continue straight ahead, cross the Jabron, then the RD540 (take care). Take the small road opposite leading up to Souspierre and continue to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 270 m - Car park at the town hall at the top of Souspierre.
  2. 1 : km 0.97 - alt. 343 m - Ferme de Bayanne, marked trail on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 486 m - Mât des Oursière, climb to the left
  4. 3 : km 4.39 - alt. 630 m - Straight ahead, leave the marked trail.
  5. 4 : km 5.05 - alt. 663 m - At the cairn, take the small path on the right.
  6. 5 : km 5.26 - alt. 624 m - Petit Pas, return trip to the right. Close to the - Grotte de l'Ermite (Eyzahut)
  7. 6 : km 5.44 - alt. 676 m - Summit of Châtelard
  8. 7 : km 6.81 - alt. 622 m - Unmarked path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.88 - alt. 502 m - At the cairn, take the hairpin bend to the right.
  10. 9 : km 8.79 - alt. 546 m - Track, on the right
  11. 10 : km 9.43 - alt. 529 m - On the left, left bank of the stream
  12. 11 : km 11.48 - alt. 258 m - RD540 on the right, towards the bridge at - Jabron (rivière) - Affluent du Rhône
  13. 12 : km 12.46 - alt. 272 m - Right-hand path before the stream
  14. 13 : km 13.56 - alt. 417 m - Trail marked in yellow, on the right
  15. 14 : km 14.95 - alt. 239 m - Go straight ahead and cross the Jabron.
  16. S/E : km 15.77 - alt. 270 m - Car park at the top of Souspierre.

Notes

Good sense of direction required: parts of the route are on unmarked paths and are sometimes difficult to see.
Never attempt in foggy or wet weather: passages become extremely dangerous on slippery rocks.

  • At the point (11), you can follow the RD540 for about 300 m, then turn right onto the small footpath that joins the Souspierre road.

Distance: 13.73km, elevation gain: 603m, elevation loss: 607m, duration: 5h40 for this alternative route.

Worth a visit

Viewpoint at the ruined tower, after Bayanne.
Hermit's Cave.
Ruins of the Châtelard watchtower.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Xav26D
Xav26D
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. Beautiful views from the ridges, and the very steep descent from point 4 adds some "spice" to the hike.
At point 8, the trail is difficult to see, as small shrubs have grown in the middle. I had to use my backup: the GPS. Further on, the trail becomes easier to follow.

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Isa84100
Isa84100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A very beautiful route with a lovely climb up to the ridges. The trails are not very busy, which is great!
The cave and the viewpoints are superb. As mentioned in the comments, the short section along the ridges during the descent requires some care, but it's nothing too difficult.
We made a few changes to the suggested route, but we had no trouble finding our way back as there are many well-marked trails on the map.

We really enjoyed this hike, which was very beautiful and a little wild.

Thank you very much for this route!

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Skz_
Skz_

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For point 8, I couldn't find the pin, so I took a guess and cut through the forest.

A very pleasant walk, I recommend it.

The last climb is difficult but very enjoyable.

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Rodger0è
Rodger0è

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
Solo hike. Easy to find route at the start. Nice climb up to the ridge, then a pleasant walk along the ridge. The cave is quite nice to visit, but be careful, some sections can be a bit technical, as can the start of the descent.
I had difficulty finding the final climb, so I followed the GPS track through a field, which was clearly private property. The climb was quite steep and long. Then there was no track at the summit, so you have to follow the GPS track by guesswork.
All in all, a very beautiful hike, thank you very much.
Roger

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bmontessinos
bmontessinos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, less difficult than advertised.
Regarding the problem mentioned in point 8 in the comments, the trail does indeed cut between two points, which means it does not correspond to the description. Simply continue a little further along the track to the point where the route suggests leaving it, and you will find the ribbons in the trees and the stream mentioned.
If you are unsure, continue straight ahead and you will arrive directly at point 10.

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Paragore
Paragore

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike. Like many others, difficulties following the trail at point 8.

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treck
treck

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

300 metres after point 8, I couldn't find the path to continue to point 9, even though I had the GPS track. We turned back and headed south to the Chardon farm and the D 540 road to find the original track.

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phil26d
phil26d

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The dizzying descent is not too difficult because there is vegetation, and the view at Châtelard is magnificent. A small issue after point 8: do not look for the start on the left, but continue calmly on the well-marked path that takes you to point 10.

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EiramDel
EiramDel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk on a sunny winter's day!

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gfeller
gfeller
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Between points 4 and 7, a new quarry in operation at Grand Pas disturbs the peace and quiet. It is very noisy and dusty depending on the wind direction.
Therefore, it is best to go hiking on weekends and public holidays.

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joel555
joel555

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A nice hike that I've wanted to do for quite some time!
This section was missing from my list! I've hiked the massif quite a few times, from the Eyzahut quarry to the St Maurice chapel, via the Trou du Furet, La Tournelle, Serre Gros, Les Antennes... now I've hiked the entire massif!

The hike is mostly shaded, with beautiful points of interest such as the descent to the "petit pas", accessible with caution, then the Grotte de l'Ermite and Le Châtelard with its magnificent views over the Valdaine plain and the Saoû syncline. For this, I give the hiking route a "very good" rating.

I hesitated a little on the way back: I took the path from point 8, but I couldn't find the next fork to the left... so I continued straight ahead, which took me to the route between 9 and 10. The GPS was very useful.

Due to lack of time, I didn't finish points 12 and 13. I returned directly to the starting point from point 11, taking the road for 200 metres, then taking the small blocked road parallel to the D540.

Thank you, ardechom, for this walk idea and its description!

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alainleg@free.fr
alainleg@free.fr

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful shaded hike. From point 9 onwards, there were no more landmarks corresponding to the map and description. We found ourselves at a place called 'Chardon' and had to return by road (D540) to point 11.

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Gigognan
Gigognan

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice hike. Quite shady overall. Small problem with orientation between points 8 and 10; you have to read the Visorando description carefully.
Gigognan.

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chris05
chris05

Hello

I downloaded the guidebook in preparation for going hiking in the area.
Chris05

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danysm
danysm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did this hike alone, choosing from the outset to bypass the last section, south of the main road to Dieulefit.
This option should save you a good hour.
From point 9, turn right to cross the uphill route and join the Combe Oursière and the uphill route to Souspierre town centre.
Indeed, the IGN map is rather vague in the descent area, even on the internet.
Daniel

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