Circular route from Saint-Pons to La Grande Tête

For a change of pace, start from the car park in the Saint-Pons valley heading towards Gémenos to complete a circular route – not an easy one – around the Grande Tête, a peak overlooking the Galère and Gour de Brest valleys.

Details

25724889
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.63 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,663 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,637 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,087 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 551 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the first car park at Parc de Saint-Pons, i.e. the one furthest west.

(S/E) Head towards the village and, after 200 m, take a path up to the right which joins a small track. Continue for about 40 metres. Please note that the GPS track does not quite match the route, but this does not hinder progress at all as the paths and junctions are clearly visible throughout the route.

(1) Follow a path up to the right. After 250 m, turn left and continue for about 500 m.

(2) Ignore the path that continues straight on at the bottom of the valley and head down to the left to continue the route; it then climbs quite steeply.

(3) After 1 km, join a track and head straight up. Note that at each bend you can either cut the corner via an easily identifiable path (which is what is done here), or continue along the track for a gentler climb. Walk for about 1 km.

(4) Follow the track branching off to the left for 2 km.

(5) At a left-hand bend, look for the start of a small path that branches off to the right, heading west. About 40 metres further on, turn left. This is the start of the climb up to the Col de Brest.

(6) 250 m further on, follow a path leading off to the right and you will reach the Col de Brest. Continue straight on towards the south, ignoring a path branching off to the left. You will come to a track.

(7) Cross it and you’ll find, opposite, a path that descends around the bend towards the Vallon du Gour de Brest. This marks the start of a very stony descent. Watch your step. Continue straight on, ignoring any paths branching off to the right or left, for about 1,500 metres.

(8) At the bottom, head left for a few metres and cross a small bridge, then turn right onto the path leading to Parc de Saint-Pons. Head west and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 561 ft - Saint-Pons car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 581 ft - Path on the right
  3. 2 : mi 0.5 - alt. 961 ft - Downhill track to the left
  4. 3 : mi 1.08 - alt. 889 ft - DFCI track
  5. 4 : mi 1.68 - alt. 1,322 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.85 - alt. 1,824 ft - Path on the right
  7. 6 : mi 2.99 - alt. 1,972 ft - Path on the right
  8. 7 : mi 3.48 - alt. 1,572 ft - Downhill path
  9. 8 : mi 4.33 - alt. 610 ft - Small bridge
  10. S/E : mi 4.63 - alt. 564 ft - Saint-Pons car park

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Mariezt
Mariezt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk, with a few spots sheltered from the wind for picnics. Only the descent over the small stones wasn’t very pleasant, but fortunately it wasn’t very long.

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Lévi1968
Lévi1968

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

The first part of the route is fairly easy
However, the higher you climb, the more the path is made up of large stones that roll under your shoes, making progress difficult.
You’re constantly watching the ground to choose your footing and avoid slipping on the stones, which doesn’t make it easy to take in the magnificent scenery.

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Janine13
Janine13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A hike starting from the car park in the St Pons Valley, but which takes us through a different, much less frequented area. Unusual but not easy. Not recommended in hot weather as there is little shade.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike through beautiful rocky landscapes, but today’s persistent Breton drizzle (which is only to be expected at the Col de Brest) meant we missed out on some of the best views.
A quick note on the map: after the first 200 m, you reach a small track which you should take to the left; and it is only after 30 m that you turn right onto the path which climbs steeply.
Otherwise, between WP5 and WP6, strangely enough, the route of the path on the map doesn’t match reality: it appears to climb straight up, whereas in reality it winds its way up.
In any case, there’s no risk of getting lost as the path has recently been clearly marked in yellow from WP5 onwards.

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