Bois de Laoul, Ravin de Bardalène and Rimouren balcony trail

Here, there are no spectacular 360° panoramic views, but you can enjoy a very pleasant walk in the Bois de Laoul forest on wide, easy tracks and pretty, shady, winding paths.
There are a succession of ravines, a magnificent and wild balcony path over the Gorges du Rimouren with its superb cliffs, a mule track, and some beautiful views of the Rhône valley from Serre-Court.
This is more of a winter walk.

Details

578986
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 368 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 375 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 385 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 113 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Markings: Yellow and whitePR®, part of theGR®42.

(S/E) From the car park, near the Laoul Forest House, take the yellow and white marked path eastwards, leading to the trailhead and the junction with the La Ligne forest road.
Follow it to the left until the next junction.

(1) At the Marchetie mast, turn left towards the school (former Gras fauniscope). Continue along this track. At the next junction: Terres des Moines mast, continue straight ahead. Reach the La Mourade mast.

(2) Turn right and follow the track towards Nord Saint-Montan, Bardalène. Ignore the various paths on either side of this track.

(3) At the next junction, at the cistern, follow the track to the right without ever leaving it. Pass under the high-voltage lines. Continue to the next junction.

(4) At the Saint-Montan pine mast, follow the wide path to the left, heading east towards Bardalène and Saint-Montan. Continue along this well-marked path, which is crossed by countless small trails that you should ignore.

(5) At the Bardalène mast, descend via a path on the left (sometimes running alongside a track) towards Saint-Montan. This path then runs alongside the Bardalène ravine. It becomes winding, cool and damp. It is lined with large scree slopes. It continues to descend towards the Rimouren stream.

(6) Further down, there is a three-way junction. You can take a detour if you want to go down to the stream bed (dry) and see, after a few steps, the impressive work of the water on the rocks. Then return to the three-way junction and continue to the left along a very pretty mule track, which climbs up to form a balcony path above the superb Rimouren Gorges.

(7) At the first very tight hairpin bend, a small path allows you to go to a viewpoint to admire the splendid cliffs: Ranc de la Lèdre, Barri Troué.
Continue climbing southwards. Reach the Pas de l'Yeuse, where the path forms a wide bend and changes direction: it now heads north-northeast through the forest and descends to a road.

(8) At this junction, you will find the Soulières mast. Take the smallGR®42road on the right (and the Compostela path marked with a shell). After a few metres, the trail climbs to the right along vineyards, above a farm. Stay on this trail, ignoring the various paths that cross it.
The path climbs steadily for a long time to the summit of Serre-Court, offering some beautiful views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Continue to the next fork.

(9) Reach the karstic cave des Aubes mast. Continue left on the Serre-Court forest track, on theGR®42. * See practical information.

(10) Reach the Laoul-Combe Chambaud mast. There are two options here; the option described avoids the RD4 road.
At the mast, leave theGR®42and follow the track on the right, which leads to the Marchetie mast.

(1). On the left, rejoin the route taken on the way there, leading to the forest house and the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 379 m - Car park at the Laoul forest house
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 358 m - Mât de Marchetie, on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 356 m - Mât de la Mourade, on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 326 m - Turn right, heading east
  5. 4 : km 2.95 - alt. 350 m - Mât des Pin de Saint-Montant, on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.97 - alt. 339 m - Mât de Bardalène, on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.85 - alt. 182 m - At the three-way junction, turn left down into the stream
  8. 7 : km 6.84 - alt. 221 m - Hairpin bend, left at the viewpoint
  9. 8 : km 8.47 - alt. 118 m - Mât de Soulières, GR on the left. Near the - Conche (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 11.32 - alt. 358 m - GR 42 on the left forest track
  11. 10 : km 12.9 - alt. 385 m - Mât de Laoul-combe Chambaud, on the right
  12. S/E : km 14.06 - alt. 379 m - Car park at the Laoul forest house

Notes

This circuit can be done by mountain bike

  • Variation via the Aven des Aubes (a natural well formed in a limestone region by the dissolution or collapse of the roof of karstic caves).

On theGR® 42, about a hundred metres after point (9), you will reach a small crossroads opposite a hunters' hut on the left of the track. Take the small path on the right, marked with a cross at the start, which descends for about 500 m. When the terrain flattens out, the karstic cave is on the left. It is now secured by wire fencing and remains difficult to see.
Continue along this path until you reach the next junction: you will find yourself at point (4) Mât de Pin de Saint-Montan. Turn left, continue along this path until you reach the Ligne forest track, turn left to find point (1), then turn right to reach the forest house car park.

Worth a visit

Property boundary markers dating from the 19th century. Traces of ancient human activity: charcoal burners.
Pretty hamlet of Rimouren
Very beautiful medieval village of Saint-Montan
Historical and architectural heritage of the town of Bourg-Saint-Andéol

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Francky.Iaai
Francky.Iaai

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, the descent into the ravine is magnificent. A pleasant hike to do in summer.

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SGGA
SGGA

This hike passes through an area that is sensitive for wildlife, so please remain discreet and respect the signs along the trail.

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hélène jean marie
hélène jean marie

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

This hike can be magnificent, but there are few views of the rock formation due to excessive vegetation. Be aware, however, of two drawbacks: wide trails, lots of scree in the valley, and wild boar hunting on Sundays during hunting season. I would classify this hike as difficult for seniors

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danysm
danysm

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Well, Ardechom, you've taken us on some really beautiful hikes (around Souspierre, La Garde Adhemar, the ridges of Saint Andeol de Berg, Roche Chérie), but this time... You're disappointing me, Ardechom, you're disappointing me.
The start and end were monotonous, the middle was very rocky, and there was a small section on a pleasant mule track, but I won't be going back.
Come on, don't be discouraged, and suggest some more beautiful hikes for us.
Dany

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ardechom
ardechom

Nice suggestion. That would be a lovely alternative, though perhaps with a slightly less impressive view. We'll see.

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Marcorandoladraille
Marcorandoladraille

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Despite starting out on wide paths, we finally find ourselves on a single track that descends into the Bardalène ravine and climbs back up to follow the path overlooking Rimouren. This part is very pretty. Then, after a nice climb, we find ourselves on the plateau where the paths have recently been widened by machines, which is a bit of a shame. But the hike itself is very pleasant overall. Note that we will do it again, attempting to pass through the Chabaud valley from point 8 instead of climbing back up to the plateau via the GR.

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JLC30
JLC30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with friends. Very diverse landscapes and trails. We had a wonderful day. Thank you

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toutvabien
toutvabien

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

hike that includes wide trails used during hunting season, which are muddy at this time of year
Beautiful view of the Rimouren stream along the mule track
Well-marked hike

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Nicopitch
Nicopitch

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

A hike that is of very little interest and rather tedious. Wide tracks for vehicles for the first few kilometres, a remarkable view throughout the entire hike, and an abundance of stones, which detracts from the enjoyment of the route. Prepare your best hiking boots and watch your step.

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isasar
isasar

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike is rocky and some sections can be very sunny (difficult to reach the summit at midday)

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Ludovicdu26
Ludovicdu26

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A somewhat monotonous walk on wide tracks, especially at the beginning. So I decided to shorten it by cutting between points 5 and 9. The second part of the loop seemed more interesting based on the descriptions and photos. Too bad, next time I'll start at point 8 and cut between points 5 and 9 again.
at point 10: the karstic cave is now secured by a fence all around it. However, it's not very interesting: a hole in the vegetation where you can't see much...

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ardechom
ardechom
• Edited:

A remarkable tree (which no longer exists) means that it is the only one in that specific location to have a number, and that its position marks a landmark at the start of the trail.
Remarkable in this case does not mean exceptional in terms of its height, vegetation, flowering or anything else...
Similarly, there could be a rock, a hut, a cairn, something that stands out (and is therefore remarkable, easily noticeable) and simply serves as a landmark.
A very common expression in hiking guides.

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rochenadine1
rochenadine1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike with beautiful views.
A ravine to explore where you can see the power of water.
Remarkable tree reported, but we didn't know what was so remarkable about it

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maellili
maellili

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful parish specific to Brittany, I'm impressed. I thought the Laoul was very flat

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cricri et mimi
cricri et mimi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant hike, beautiful view of the Rimouren stream.
Thank you

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