Route via the Porte de Barry, the Pas de Siara and the Grande Combe

Park your car at the end of the access road to the Saou forest. The car park is situated at the foot of the water tower (the sort of round tower) in the hamlet of Girard.

(S/E) Go through the barrier and head towards the Auberge des Dauphins and the forest rangers’ house.

(1) Take the path on the right in front of the white house and cross the Vèbre. After the bridge, the track begins to climb to the right.

(2) At the crossroads, continue climbing to the right along the main track. You’ll reach the Refuge des Princes.

(3) Continue along the main track. Pass a hairpin bend to the right, walk for about 700 metres and arrive at the Porte de Barry.

(4) Take a short break at the Porte de Barry to take in the panoramic view over the Pays de Bourdeaux. Carry on along the main track.

(5) Pass the Bergerie de Bois Vert (closed) and continue north-east.

(6) At the Pré de l’Âne bend, take the path that climbs to the right towards the Pré de l’Âne and the Pas de Siara. Follow the valley floor and reach the Pas de la Sierra after about 600 metres.

(7) Enjoy the panoramic view of the Grand Delmas and the Col de la Chaudière, then retrace your steps back to the bend at the Pré de l’Âne.

(6) Cross the track and leave it to take the path that plunges down opposite, the start of which is marked by a small pile of stones. The path descends through the undergrowth of the Combe de la Vèbre

(8) Walk down this Grande Combe, which may at times seem endless – and watch your step!

(1) The circular loop ends at the forest rangers’ house. Return to the starting point (S/E).

There aren’t really any water points along the route. There is a tap on the front of the forest rangers’ house, but it’s signposted as non-potable water (in fact, it’s never been tested!). Further on, to the right after the Bergerie de Bois Vert, there’s a pond with a spring, but here too, it’s signposted as non-potable water!

The route along the entire first section of the route is very wide and potentially accessible to all types of vehicles.

(3) Shelter is available at the Refuge des Princes. This building has large openings but neither doors nor windows. The interior is fairly clean (let’s say not too badly vandalised) with two rooms, each with a fireplace.

The descent into the Grande Combe is quite tricky: the path often runs along the bed of the Vèbre and is covered in scree, especially in the upper section, with the scree itself covered in piles of dead leaves (up to 40cm in places). It’s fun, but you don’t always know what you’re stepping on. So make sure you wear sturdy footwear to avoid twisting your ankle or knee, and take walking poles to help you steady yourself!

(1) The first thing to do is explore the site of the Auberge des Dauphins, the centrepiece of the Saoû Forest. Take a peek through the windows and admire the magnificent décor of the dining room. Let’s hope that one day this building will finally be saved and restored. Admittedly, this is planned by the Drôme department, but it’s taking a long time to materialise!
On either side of the building, take five minutes to read the detailed history of the site, set out on large information panels.
There are plenty of picnic tables in the park surrounding the Auberge

The climb up the track offers no views but allows you to enjoy the shade of the conifers and deciduous trees, which, I imagine, must be very welcome in summer.

(4) The first viewpoint is at the Porte de Barry, offering a sweeping panorama of the hills and mountains of the Pays de Bourdeaux and the Roubion valley. Montagne d’Angèle is to the left.

(7) The other viewpoint is at the Pas de la Siara, overlooking the Grand Delmas (1,544 m) and the Col de la Chaudière. For the more adventurous, there’s the option to climb up to the Veyou (1,589 m), with an additional 300 metres of elevation gain.

(8) Whilst descending into the Grande Combe, stop every now and then and look up at the high white, grey and ochre cliffs that frame these gorges, which are at times very narrow and almost always in the shade. Also take note of the strange monoliths and let your imagination run wild as to what they might represent!