Bois de Laoul, Ravin de Bardalène and Rimouren balcony trail

Here, there are no spectacular 360° panoramic views, but a very pleasant walk through the Bois de Laoul forest along wide, easy tracks as well as lovely, shaded, winding paths.
The route takes you past ravines, a magnificent and wild balcony path overlooking the Gorges du Rimouren with its superb cliffs, and a mule track, with some beautiful views of the Rhône valley from Serre-Court.
A walk best suited to winter.

Please note: This walk passes through a sensitive wildlife area; please keep a low profile and follow the signs along the trail.

Details

578986
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • 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 heading east, 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 signpost, turn left towards the School (former Gras wildlife observation point). Continue along this track. At the next junction: Terres des Moines signpost, continue straight ahead. Reach the La Mourade signpost.

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

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

(4) Pin de Saint-Montan 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 tracks that you should ignore.

(5) At the Bardalène mast, descend via a path on the left (sometimes running alongside a track), heading 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 Ruisseau de Rimouren.

(6) Further down, you come to a three-way junction. If you wish, you can take a detour down into the stream bed (which is dry) and, after a few steps, see the impressive work of the water on the rocks. Return then to the three-way junction, and continue left along a very pretty mule track, which climbs, forming a balcony path above the superb Rimouren Gorges.

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

(8) At this junction stands the Soulières mast. Take the smallGR®®42road to the right (and the Way of St James marked with a scallop shell). After a few metres, the path climbs to the right alongside vineyards, above a farm. Stay on this path, ignoring the various tracks that cross it.
The path climbs steadily and gradually to the summit of Serre-Court: there are some fine views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Continue to the next junction.

(9) Reach the Aven des Aubes signpost. Continue left along the Serre-Court forest track, on theGR®®42. * see practical information.

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

(1). Turn left to rejoin the route taken on the way out, 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 Pins de Saint-Montan, 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 - Three-way junction; on the left, a descent into the stream
  8. 7 : km 6.84 - alt. 221 m - Hairpin bend; left for the return route to 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 to 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 route can be done by mountain bike

  • Alternative route via the Aven des Aubes (a natural sinkhole formed in limestone terrain by the dissolution or collapse of the roof of karstic caves).

On theGR®® 42, about a hundred metres after point (9), you’ll reach a small junction 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 levels out, the karstic cave is on the left. It is now secured by wire fencing and remains somewhat hidden from view.
Continue along this path to the next junction: you will reach point (4), the Mât de Pin de Saint-Montan. Turn left, continue along this path to the Ligne forest track, turn left to return to point (1), then turn right to reach the Maison forestière car park.

Worth a visit

Property boundary markers dating from the 19th century. Traces of past human activity: charcoal burners.
The pretty hamlet of Rimouren
The 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 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
caurella
caurella

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Not at all pleasant as a walk. There were a few nice views, though, but I wouldn’t do it again

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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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