Circular mountain bike loop in the Saou Forest

Park at the Sables Blancs car park (the first car park as you enter the Saou Forest).

(S/E) Take the path opposite on the southern slope. Pass the first, roughly level path on the left and turn immediately left uphill.

(1) Take a hairpin bend to the right. Stay on the stony but not unpleasant path (this is a former road suitable for vehicles) and ignore the side tracks.

(2) At the Girards mountain hut, continue along the stony path until you reach a junction.

(3) Take the second path on the right and continue uphill.

(4) At the Pas de l’Ane hairpin bend, take the first path on the right. Descend, keeping to the Vèbre stream.

The descent is very technical on a mountain bike (especially at the start due to large boulders), but magnificent.

(5) Passages through narrow gorges, with lush vegetation.

(6) You’ll pass some traces of troglodyte settlements.

(7) At the former Auberge des Dauphins, carry straight on.

(8) Take the path to the left of the water tower. Then turn right and follow the river at a leisurely pace back to the car park where you started (S/E).

Please note that the descent follows a stream bed (usually dry); you must be properly equipped (full-suspension mountain bike + protective gear!). If not, follow the road down to the bottom via the other side of the hill.

In summer, the northern slope is preferable for the ascent, and if the descent through the stream bed worries you, you can always continue along the main road down to the inn.

Of course, it’s possible to do the same route on foot, but in that case, you might as well set off from the inn and head straight up towards the road via one of the footpaths.

This circular mountain bike route can be combined with a hike up the Trois Becs: see the route description on Visorando. Leave your bikes at the Refuge des Girards (2) and walk up to the Virage du Pied de l’Ane (4). From there, follow the other hike starting from its starting point (7). Once you reach the Pas de Siara, follow the other walk from its starting point (2) to the summit. Descend on the other side to the Col des Auberts. Continue along the other walk until you reach the junction with the track to the Refuge des Girards (elevation 1186, point (3) on this walk). Then head down to the right to reach the refuge and collect your bikes. Allow around 3 hours for the circular walk. It is not recommended to attempt this ascent by mountain bike as the paths are fragile and feature numerous steps.

And what’s more, there’s a brasserie in Saou…