Bois de Vache - Saoû Forest

The hilltop village of Le Poët-Célard offers a journey back in time as you wander through its medieval streets leading up to the castle. Then discover the local area, including the Château de Saint-André.

Details

2308894
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 170 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 172 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 681 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 503 m

Description of the walk

Start from the village of Poët-Célard near the town hall.

(S/E) Follow the D328 towards the temple and, just after it, take the road on the left. Pass Notre-Dame and continue along the track. At the right-hand bend, just before the Chacourt house, take the path on the left (south-east). Climb the steep slope through the woods for 500m. When you reach a new track, continue to the right (south) and head for the hamlet of Les Magnats.

(1) Continue south and follow the D233 to the left (south-east) for 2 km (take care, narrow road with cars travelling at speed).

(2) At the Camping du Grand Bois, at the Boutière signpost, take the path on the left. Walk along the edge of the campsite facilities, then turn left (north-east) into the woodland. Go round the renovated house on the left and, 50m further on, you’ll come out onto the D328a.

(3) At Château Saint-André, take the D328a northwards and walk along the top of Château Saint-André. Continue for 2 km to the northern edge of the Le Couspeau campsite buildings.

(4) Take the campsite access road (entrance) to the right (east) for 50m and, at the swimming pool, take the path to the left (north). Cross the road and continue north. Pass the hamlet of Les Marelles and continue along the access road.

(5) At the crossroads, follow the D328 for a few metres to the left, then take the small road on the right and continue along the road opposite. This will take you to the village centre (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 518 m - Le Poët-Celard
  2. 1 : km 1.23 - alt. 667 m - Magnats
  3. 2 : km 2.84 - alt. 659 m - Boutière signpost
  4. 3 : km 3.61 - alt. 617 m - Junction with the D328 just before Château Saint-André
  5. 4 : km 5.03 - alt. 570 m - Access road to the campsite on the right
  6. 5 : km 6.1 - alt. 509 m - D328
  7. S/E : km 6.5 - alt. 518 m - Le Poët-Celard

Notes

It is strongly recommended that you take IGN map no. 3138OT with you. Ensure you have sufficient food and water and wear suitable walking clothing. Hikers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency numbers: 18 or 112.

Information from the Val de Drôme Tourist Office: 04 75 63 10 88 / valleedeladrome-tourisme.com

Worth a visit

HISTORY - The Desert Assembly.
These clandestine meetings were held by the Huguenots in the aftermath of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which dealt a severe blow to Protestant lands. During the persecution of their faith, the region’s ‘Opiniâtres’ found a haven in the tall beech forest known as the Bois de Vache – named after its owner – where they could worship, often when a travelling preacher passed through, at the risk of being arrested and imprisoned by the authorities for this forbidden practice. This memory is kept alive by an annual gathering of the region’s Protestants, held on the second Sunday in August.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
ATG
ATG

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very easy walk with mostly flat terrain – apart from a short, steep 100-metre stretch that can be a bit slippery in wet weather at the start of the route.
Lovely views over the forest of Saoû.
The return route is mainly on the north-facing side, so it’s sheltered from the sun in the late afternoon.

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valy38
valy38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice little walk, lovely views, but you can only see the Saou Forest from a distance

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tomasz42
tomasz42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that starts gently, with a 100m climb from the very first kilometre – highly recommended for a short, scenic outing

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mmg84
mmg84

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is very pleasant as it winds through the woods towards the castle, though it becomes rather monotonous after that, with quite a bit of road to cover overall. But I have no regrets.

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joce
joce
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A long drive!!! But we visited the lovely village of Poët.
The title ‘Saou Forest’ is misnamed;

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