Loop starting from Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve

This hike requires attention and monitoring of the GPX track, especially between points (11) and (12).
Alternating between beautiful open views and wild valleys, often away from marked trails. It follows forest tracks and unmarked paths.

Details

840472
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 276 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 270 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 285 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 87 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park next to the post office, following the sign for "Parking randonneurs" (hikers' car park).
(S/E) Reach Rue Neuve and turn left, walking for about 20 metres.

Marked "Télégraphe" circuit.

turn right. Turn left to follow the Draye de la Heath and, at the junction with Chemin Saint-Jean Laval, continue straight ahead along the path. At the crossroads, turn right and go straight ahead at the next junction.

(2) At the tower, take the track on the left, ignoring the track on the right.

End of the marked "Télégraphe" circuit.

(3) Turn right onto a narrower track and continue for about 1 km. You will come to the first sharp bend to the left.

(4) Leave the track and take a small path on the right that leads to a cistern and a firebreak. This path is closed to two-wheeled vehicles by small mounds of earth that can be crossed or bypassed. Go around the back of the cistern and take a track on the left
NB: this point can also be reached by taking the track on the right at point (2).

(5) Continue along this track until you reach a large crossroads marked in the centre by a small isolated tree.
Continue for a few metres and then turn left onto a path. Follow the main track to a crossroads and take the left-hand path, which climbs slightly.

(6) Just after a path branches off to the right, take another path on the left, which is flat at first but quickly becomes sloping. When you reach a track, head uphill to the right

(7) At the top of the climb, take the path on the left and follow it for a long time. Ignore a path branching off to the right

(8) When you reach this crossroads, turn sharply right. Stay on the main track.

(9) At the next crossroads, take a path on the left, which slopes gently and then levels out until you reach the bottom of the hill. Then turn left. Ignore the first path on the left.

(10) Turn left onto a dirt track that leads to a road. Take the road on the left and follow it for about 200 m before turning left onto the tarmac road towards the Pélican estate (bed and breakfast). Pass in front of the estate and then turn left onto a dirt track that leads to another dirt track.

(11) Walk 10 m to the right, then turn left onto an uphill path marked with a yellow cross.

At the end of the path, follow the edge of a field. At the end of the field, do not continue along the next field but find a small path on the right. Proceed slowly in search of another path, slightly uphill, fairly hidden on the left (this is a tricky part to find). You will come out onto an open space bordered at the back by a line of stones. Follow the line of stones to reach a track on the right. At the crossroads, leave the track and take a path on the left: this crosses an area of wasteland, passes through a small group of trees and leads to another area of wasteland. Continue for about 50 metres and, towards the end of this area, look for the passage (sloping embankment) to a dry river bed

(12) Cross the riverbed and, opposite, diagonally to the right, take a small path to reach the clear corner of a field. Take the well-marked path which leads to a track on the left.

(13) When you reach a clearing on the right, find the yellow marked path towards the Saint-Antoine chapel.

(14) Just after the chapel, climb the embankment on the left to reach the Way of the Cross and its stations with large red crosses. Continue towards the viewpoint.

(15) At the viewpoint, take the path on the left which leads to the first housing developments. On the road, continue straight ahead to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 91 m - Hikers' car park
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 90 m - Start of the Télégraphe circuit trail
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 215 m - télégraphe de Chappe ( Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve)
  4. 3 : km 1.81 - alt. 214 m - Leave the main track
  5. 4 : km 2.74 - alt. 212 m - Small path
  6. 5 : km 4.22 - alt. 232 m - Isolated tree
  7. 6 : km 6.59 - alt. 276 m - Path joining another track
  8. 7 : km 7.28 - alt. 234 m - Start of the path on the left
  9. 8 : km 8.67 - alt. 201 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 9.61 - alt. 132 m - Left path - Numerous arbutus trees
  11. 10 : km 10.56 - alt. 93 m - Dirt track
  12. 11 : km 12.2 - alt. 100 m - Uphill path
  13. 12 : km 13.12 - alt. 110 m - Dry stream bed to cross
  14. 13 : km 13.53 - alt. 129 m - Resumption of yellow markings
  15. 14 : km 13.81 - alt. 127 m - Saint-Antoine Chapel
  16. 15 : km 14.06 - alt. 117 m - Belvedere
  17. S/E : km 14.63 - alt. 91 m - Car park

Notes

Between (6) and (7): a little pruning now and then would help maintain this path, which has been cleared for this hike.

Worth a visit

Chappe's telegraph.
The Chapel of Saint-Antoine, the curious calvary with large red crosses.
The village of Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
georgevelyne@gmail ;com
georgevelyne@gmail ;com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fantastic hike that allowed us to discover some stunning panoramic views. Be careful at point 15, the viewpoint: you need to take the steps down, otherwise you'll end up on private property.
Many thanks again to the author of this hike.

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berbag
berbag

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This trail offers beautiful views, lovely paths at the start and end of the hike, and wide paths in the burnt area, which is a shame.
It must have been very beautiful before the fire.

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gsigsi
gsigsi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful route, a bit long but suitable for families, no particular difficulties

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mariefrancoise34
mariefrancoise34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nature quickly reclaims its rights after the fires. Beautiful views from the ridges.
The second part is magnificent. Lots of flowers in May. Avoid summer, as it is very exposed to the sun.
After point 11, the vegetation blocks the path a little.
GPS essential

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dr34
dr34

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike through the heath, no particular difficulty. Suitable for families.
Enjoy your hike!

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ENER51
ENER51
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views in good weather
In several places

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mireille quintane
mireille quintane

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


A varied route with beautiful views in sunny weather. GPS guidance is essential for certain sections! Thank you

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celinemma
celinemma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Very little shade, the ravages of fire are still very much present, but nature is beginning to reclaim its rights. Pretty landscapes in the distance.

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Marité
Marité

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike mainly along the ridges, with views of the surrounding area
We opted to visit the castle at the start of the walk in Aumelas, which is closed for renovation work, but you can still see most of the ruins
no particular difficulties, but the hike is about 22 km long, so bear that in mind

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Anketil
Anketil

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

An easy and pleasant hike. The middle section of the walk is a little austere, but fortunately there are two or three spots that make up for it. Best done in autumn as there is little shade.
The best spots: Belvédère du Faucon, the Chappe Telegraph Tower, the view of the Château d'Aumelas and the end towards the Domaine de Pélican and the Saint Antoine chapel.

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jcg30vers
jcg30vers

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

the forest fire has indeed affected two-thirds of the route. Best avoided in summer (no shade)

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a beautiful, easy hike that must have been magnificent before the fire ravaged the forests and heath. A beautiful panorama, pretty trails... The chapel and its Way of the Cross are worth seeing.
PP and MM

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tuto
tuto

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Parking at the village hall, a fairly easy hike that takes 4 hours with a 5-minute break, a scene of desolation following this summer's fire, which is a shame because the route is very pleasant, although it should be avoided in summer as there is very little shade. GPS is essential, beautiful view from the top of the Aumelas plateau.

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ivanou34
ivanou34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This superb hike must be done with one eye on the GPS, one eye on the terrain and keeping an eye on the group accompanying us.
In May, it's fantastic, with all the flowers and varied scents.
Towards the end, at point 15, you have to turn right because if you go straight ahead, you'll end up on private property.
Thank you for this beautiful hike

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alainn34
alainn34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views and varied, well-shaded trails. Be careful at point 15 not to go straight ahead, as you will come across a property fence. It is better to turn right (dotted line) and join the road to return to the car park.

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