Circular Three Passes Route from Saillans

de fr

This is a lovely walk, with a route that differs from the other itineraries starting from Saillans. The path takes you over three passes. You start off on the Chemin de la Clairette, then head via the Col des Beaux. The ridge walk, after the Col de Pourcheton, offers views of the Diois and the Rhône Valley. At the Col de Sauzet, you descend towards Jomare to join a wide path that leads back to the village.

Details

n°98989211
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,378 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,368 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,100 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 837 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

View from the car park.
Genets
Descent to Jomare.

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the Canoe Club Rivière Drôme car park , behind the gendarmerie.

(S/E) Head towards the Route Royale, turn right onto it, then take the first left to join the D493 (Avenue Georges Coupois).

(1) Cross the road carefully and take the Chemin de la Clairette opposite. Navigate the tight bend to the left and continue for about 50 m.

(2) Turn right towards Babrou onto Chemin de la Tour. Pass behind a bench on the right, then continue through the vineyard plots.

(3) Ignore the paths on the left and right, and stay on the main track to reach the Col des Beaux.

(4) Take the path on the left (marked yellow), then head up above the vineyards.

(5) Continue straight ahead, heading towards the Col de Pourcheton, which is signposted along the path. This will take you to the pass.

(6) Turn sharply left, heading due south, to follow the ridge path towards the Col de Sauzet, indicated by a signpost.

(7) Keep well to the right until you reach a junction.

(8) Take mountain bike track no. 3 on the left, then follow the sign for “Serre Peyplat” on the right. There is a long climb, with a short flat section, before descending again to reach the Col de Sauzet.

(9) Ignore the sign for Mirabel opposite, and turn sharply left onto the path, following the sign for “Saillans”. You’ll reach a stream at elevation 449.

(10) Cross this stream, which is often dry, and follow the path that branches off to the right at a 90° angle. You’ll reach a place called Jomare.

(11) Follow the forest track to the Ruisseau de la Garçaude, where the path becomes tarmac. Make sure you stay on the path that goes behind the house, and do not enter private property.

(12) Continue along this tarmac section to the village, following the Chemin de Saint-Jean until you reach Avenue Georges Coupois. Turn left and walk for a few dozen metres.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to reach the canoe car park, on the left-hand side of Route Royale (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 837 ft - Rivière Drôme Canoe Club car park - Drôme
  2. 1 : mi 0.11 - alt. 863 ft - Crossroads at the end of the circular loop - Drôme
  3. 2 : mi 0.34 - alt. 991 ft - Chemin de la Tour, due north
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 1,214 ft - Crossroads, go straight on
  5. 4 : mi 1.08 - alt. 1,299 ft - Col de Beaux. Yellow markings on the left
  6. 5 : mi 1.76 - alt. 1,581 ft - Crossroads, opposite
  7. 6 : mi 2.52 - alt. 1,995 ft - Col de Pourcheton
  8. 7 : mi 3.18 - alt. 2,096 ft - To the right
  9. 8 : mi 3.4 - alt. 1,916 ft - Mountain bike trail no. 3
  10. 9 : mi 4.6 - alt. 1,634 ft - Col de Sauzet, keep left
  11. 10 : mi 5.33 - alt. 1,493 ft - Stream
  12. 11 : mi 5.69 - alt. 1,312 ft - Jomare – junction with the forest road
  13. 12 : mi 6.87 - alt. 909 ft - Garçaude stream – start of the tarmac path
  14. S/E : mi 7.76 - alt. 840 ft - Rivière Drôme Canoe Club car park - Drôme

Notes

Caution: there is a steep climb after point (8), followed by a fairly steep descent.

Worth a visit

At the summit of the dome, which is located after point (8): exceptional views over the Drôme Valley and the Trois Becs.

Other walks in the area

Walking The Chestnut Tree of Bellieux

Visorando Member
Le Châtaignier des Bellieux
↔8.67 mi ↗+1,604 ft ↘-1,594 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
During this hike, the land of Clairette wine offers us a surprising encounter with a centuries-old chestnut tree. Standing alone at the foot of the Trois Becs and the Rocher de la Laveuse, a sign indicates its age and characteristics. One cannot help but admire this witness to history, which was most certainly a contemporary of Joan of Arc!

Walking Tour of the Rochers de Cresta and Auberts from Saillans

Visorando Member
Tour des Rochers de Cresta et des Auberts depuis Saillans
↔8.84 mi ↗+3,406 ft ↘-3,415 ft ◔7h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
A beautiful but long hike around the Rochers de Cresta, with the added bonus, if you feel up to it, of climbing to the top of the ridges: breathtaking views of the Trois Becs massif, the Drôme valley, the Vercors, Glandasse, and even a glimpse of Grand Ferrand... But only do this in dry weather with very good footwear that grips well, as there are steep slopes and secure rocks...

Walking The Chabrier mountain

Visorando Member
La montagne de Chabrier
↔6.08 mi ↗+1,742 ft ↘-1,726 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
Tour of the Montagne de Chabrier starting from Saillans.

Walking Saint-Christophe and Les Trois Bornes - Pays de Saillans

Local authority
↔8.75 mi ↗+1,535 ft ↘-1,539 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
From the lively village of Saillans with its narrow streets, arcades and fountains, passing by the turquoise blue pools of Rieussec, climb up to the Saint-Christophe Chapel. It faces the Trois Becs!

Walking Tour de Chabrier from Saillans to Pas de la Bernarde

Visorando Member
Tour de Chabrier depuis Saillans jusqu'au Pas de la Bernarde
↔8.64 mi ↗+2,612 ft ↘-2,612 ft ◔6h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
An extension of the classic Tour de Chabrier hike, this figure-of-eight hike (with the Col des Vallons at its centre) takes you to the Pas de la Bernarde (magnificent views of the Vercors, Montagne de Glandasse and Drôme Valley on the Vercheny side) and into the Fond de Chabrier. In total, the Col des Vallons will have been explored from all four cardinal points!

Walking Another Tour de Chabrier from Saillans

Visorando Member
Un autre Tour de Chabrier depuis Saillans
↔7.38 mi ↗+2,224 ft ↘-2,247 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saillans (Drôme)
Variation on the classic Tour de Chabrier hike via the Col des Vallons and the Pas de la Bernarde, with a return via a tiny path overlooking the Drôme and the D93 between Saillans and Vercheny. Splendid views guaranteed over the Drôme Valley, the Massif des Trois-Becs and the Vercors.

Walking Les Trois Becs and the Saou Forest

Visorando Member
Les Trois Becs et la Forêt de Saou
↔11.61 mi ↗+5,443 ft ↘-5,420 ft ◔10h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Chastel-Arnaud (Drôme)
Like a ship, the massif stands at the foot of the Vercors and offers a panoramic view of the Drôme and Rhône valleys. In good weather, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and, on the opposite side, the Cévennes. Several contemplative breaks are necessary to discover these landscapes. Please note that the route passes through a quiet zone for wildlife. Certain sections are closed to the public between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide users, see here.

Walking The promontories and summit of Cresta

Visorando Member
Les promontoires et sommet de Cresta
↔4.24 mi ↗+2,602 ft ↘-2,598 ft ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Espenel (Drôme)
A beautiful hike above the village of Espenel, providing access to the three peaks on the Cresta ridges.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.