Route de Pont de l'Estéron, Bouyon, La Grave

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Starting from the Pont de l’Estéron, this route takes you to the old village of Bouyon, passing through the hamlet of Clos Martel along a shaded path.
The return journey follows the Estéron river, partly along a cantilevered path, ending at the Route de la Grave.

Details

n°21812112
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.36 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,602 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,598 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,100 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 400 ft
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Photos

Ruined mill
The Estéron
Ruined mill at Fuon Caudo
Bouyon

Description of the walk

Park near the Pont de l’Estéron; car parks are provided for this purpose.

(S/E) Take the Route du Pont Charles Albert towards Le Broc for a few hundred metres. Turn right off the road onto the footpath, then turn left at the next junction and head towards marker 13 in the hamlet of Clos Martel. Take the road opposite and proceed to the junction at marker 12.

(1) Leave the road by taking the path on the right, then take the track on the left which leads past the houses to the cul-de-sac, and rejoin the path to reach the Route du Petit Plan at marker 18.

(2) Continue straight ahead to reach the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel and marker 19, a crossroads with several routes.

(3) Take the track straight ahead downhill. Reach the houses at Champelé, then turn almost 90° to the right to reach the junction at marker 20.

(4) Turn left and cross the Ruisseau du Bouyon via the bridge. Start the climb through the woods straight ahead to reach the junction marked with signpost 104.

(5) Turn left and continue uphill. Pass some abandoned barns, then climb a series of hairpin bends to reach the Col de l’Âne road at marker 2.

(6) Take the path opposite to reach the cemetery, then the village of Bouyon. Walk through the village until you reach the small square by the town hall.

(7) Continue right along the Rue Principale and then follow the route you took on the way out to return to marker 2.

(6) Turn left and continue downhill to reach the Ruisseau du Moul.

(8) Cross it and continue through the forest to reach the four-way junction perpendicular to marker 103.

(9) Turn right to climb slightly and return to the junction with marker 104, which you passed on the way out.

(5) Head back along the route you took on the way there, in the opposite direction, to reach marker 20.

(4) Take the path on the left and cross the Ruisseau du Vallon de Fouant Caudo. Then follow the Bouyon along its right bank. Gradually move away from it before rejoining it at the Clave footbridge at marker 21.

(10) Then turn right onto the tarmac road and follow it back to the car parks at Pont de l’Estéron (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 400 ft - Park near the bridge at the - Estéron (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.59 - alt. 630 ft - Marker 12
  3. 2 : mi 1.19 - alt. 1,227 ft - Marker 18
  4. 3 : mi 1.65 - alt. 1,240 ft - Marker 19 - Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite
  5. 4 : mi 2.56 - alt. 627 ft - Marker 20 - Bouyon (rivière)
  6. 5 : mi 3.08 - alt. 991 ft - Marker 104
  7. 6 : mi 4.13 - alt. 1,821 ft - Marker 2
  8. 7 : mi 4.68 - alt. 2,100 ft - Bouyon Town Hall
  9. 8 : mi 5.86 - alt. 1,473 ft - Moul stream
  10. 9 : mi 6.51 - alt. 896 ft - Marker 103
  11. 10 : mi 8.59 - alt. 459 ft - Marker 21
  12. S/E : mi 10.36 - alt. 410 ft - Finish - Pont de l'Estéron

Notes

(S/E) Bridge car park: please park in the designated car parks as the police patrol the area frequently and issue fines for illegal parking.
This hike is best done before the summer heat sets in.
Water and refreshments available in the village of Bouyon.

Worth a visit

Places to visit:
(1) The hamlet of Clos Martel,
(3) The Sainte-Marguerite Chapel, set in lush greenery (not open to visitors),
(7) A visit to the old village of Bouyon,
(10) The ruins of the Moulin de la Clave.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
1001Watt
1001Watt

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I made a few changes to the suggested route:
- I walked the route in the opposite direction, starting on the Route de l’Esteron and finishing at Clos Martel; I think it’s easier that way.
- I didn’t do the short circular loop that climbs up to the village of Bouyon (stages 5 to 9) due to a lack of time. You need to allow a good three hours (at a leisurely pace) just to do the loop via the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite.
This lovely walk is not very busy and takes you to peaceful spots that I particularly enjoyed: the Sainte Marguerite Chapel, somewhat tucked away in this remote corner of the world, and the hamlet of Clos Martel with its magnificent olive grove. The Esteron Valley route is also very pleasant.

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Violette C2.
Violette C2.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Marker No. 18 has been removed!! Marker No. 20 has been replaced by No. 105

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millepat06
millepat06

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did the hike in the suggested direction. However, from point 6, after walking about 800 metres, it’s impossible to follow the path that heads left towards point 8. The path is very difficult to access and disappears once you reach the Moul stream. I had to turn back. However, you simply need to follow the yellow-marked trail, which takes you directly to point 9.
Thank you for this lovely route.

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neufeglise
neufeglise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that we did in reverse – that is, starting at point 10, following the Esteron, then heading towards point 5 and climbing up to Bouyon via 6-7
A lovely little village where we stopped for a coffee
Then we descended via points 6, 8, 9, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1
I think the walk is more scenic this way
Water source at Bouyon ++

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