From Mollans-sur-Ouvèze to Pierrelongue via the Baumes des Eyguiers

The first part of this circular route involves a challenging climb, but you will be rewarded with an extraordinary site, caves to explore and superb views over the Ouvèze valley. The second part, which is easier, allows you to visit two picturesque villages and walk along the Ouvèze, with the spectacular Baumes des Eyguiers caves towering overhead like sentinels.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 325 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 326 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 516 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 270 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park below the town hall in Mollans-sur-Ouvèze.

(S/E) Walk up through the village, passing the fountain and town hall, turn left onto Grande Rue and continue to Placette Claude Boileau and its fountain. Continue along Rue Saint-Estève, turning left onto the D5 (Route de Buis).

(1) Cross carefully (no protected crossing) and take the path opposite. Walk uphill alongside the vineyards and olive groves until you reach a path that branches off to the right at the corner of a dry stone wall.

(2) Turn right onto this path and follow the wall (yellow line and red dot markings). Be careful, the path quickly becomes steep with a short section close to the edge. You will soon see the first caves on the left. Stay on the path.

(3) At the fork, take the path on the left that climbs towards the cliffs. Continue climbing this increasingly steep and stony path that runs along the cliff: remarkable views of the valley and Mollans. Pass under a large cave, where the path becomes rocky. Continue climbing until the path forks for the first time to the left in front of a wooden sign marked "les baumes" (yellow markings with a red dot on the left and a yellow cross opposite). If you continue straight ahead, you will reach an area dedicated to rock climbing. Climb left up a fairly steep rocky passage between the oak trunks. You will reach a second fork to the left in front of a low stone wall, marked by yellow markings with a red dot. You are now at the foot of the caves overlooking you on the right.

(4) Before continuing between the rocks on the left, take the time to climb up the rocky slabs on the right to make a round trip to the caves, the goal of the climb. Some of them are spectacular in size. This area of Les Eyguiers preserves traces of prehistoric occupation.

(5) Turn back.

(4) Turn right and you will soon reach the foot of a narrow chimney, which you can climb via an easy rocky passage. At the top, turn right to reach the plateau. Climb up the rocky slabs in the middle of the vegetation (markers) to a flat area offering a beautiful panorama.

(6) Then begin the descent to the left on a path marked in yellow with a red dot.
Further down, the path joins a wide track which you follow to the left. You will reach a crossroads on a flat section.

(7) Take a blue-marked trail on the left. Continue downhill on the path, which becomes stony (nice view of Mollans and its castle) and crosses a stream that is often dry. The path then widens along vineyards and olive trees. You will come out onto the small tarmac road called Chemin de la Rouveyrette, which you took on the way up. Look for the path now on the left after the stone wall.

(2) Take this path to the fork you passed on the way up.

(3) Continue to the right this time. Follow this path straight ahead, which runs alongside old terraced crops (remains of dry stone walls) and overlooks the cliff. You can see the caves you visited earlier. Continue along the wider path that descends towards the D5. Between the trees, you will see the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Consolation perched on its rock.

Once on the D5, stay on the left-hand side, which is safer, while paying attention to traffic. Join the pavement, cross at the pedestrian crossing and enter the village of Pierrelongue on the right via Rue du Relais de Poste. Then turn left into the passageway that leads to the foot of the chapel (visits by appointment, fee payable).

Retrace your steps to go around the chapel on the left. Enjoy the surprising view of the rock and the perched chapel. Cross the bridge over the Ouvèze, turn right after the bridge and follow the tarmac road.

(8) Leave the road and continue right on a wide path along the riverbank: no entry sign except for residents. This path stretches between the Ouvèze and the vineyards. Before it becomes grassy, take another path on the left between the vines, which joins the road a little further up.

When you reach the road, turn right and follow it to the village of Mollans. Look out for the cliff on your right, which appears between the trees and reveals the Baumes des Eyguiers caves. As you approach the village, you can see Mollans Castle on the hillside on the other side of the Ouvèze.

(9) The road passes under the bridge. Then make a left circular turn to come out onto a square where you will find the Fontaine au Dauphin fountain and its arcaded wash house. Cross the bridge and then, after the bridge, keep left to pass in front of the town hall and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 277 m - Parking is available under the town hall
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 300 m - Route D5
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 323 m - Branch of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 0.78 - alt. 347 m - Shared lift to and from the site
  5. 4 : km 1.35 - alt. 465 m - Return trip to the caves
  6. 5 : km 1.52 - alt. 511 m - Turning point
  7. 6 : km 1.88 - alt. 515 m - Yellow line with red dot markings
  8. 7 : km 2.42 - alt. 484 m - Path on the left, blue markings
  9. 8 : km 5.77 - alt. 287 m - Path on the right
  10. 9 : km 8.39 - alt. 270 m - Bridge
  11. S/E : km 8.7 - alt. 276 m - Parking is available under the town hall

Notes

Wear sturdy shoes; non-slip soles are recommended for climbing up to the caves (or grottos).

Worth a visit

Things to see along the way:
- Mollans-sur-Ouvèze: the old village, its castle (private), its belfry, the fountain-wash house with its dolphin, listed as a historic monument, the bridge and its round chapel built in corbelling above the bed of the Ouvèze.
For more information: https://www.provenceweb.fr/f/drome-prove...

- Pierrelongue and its curious chapel perched on a 25-metre-high rock, which gave the village its name. Visits to the chapel and the crypt-museum of sacred art are possible by appointment on 06 83 49 99 63 (€2.50 per person).
For more information: https://www.provenceweb.fr/f/drome-prove...

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
patin_copain
patin_copain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike under beautiful November sunshine. We really enjoyed the balms and the wolf trail, and we liked the little challenges, even though we're not so young anymore.
However, after Pierrelongue, we preferred to go through the woods instead of along the Ouvèze. The path is very well marked until Mollans, which added a little over a kilometre to our walk.

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nadmich
nadmich

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only did the first part of the circuit to see the caves and we struggled a bit because there are some quite challenging sections when you get older. To get through the chimney, you have to take off your rucksack and suck in your stomach to squeeze through the narrow gap while clinging to the rock...
Do not do this after rain because the slabs leading to the caves can be very slippery in places.
But it's worth the effort, as the caves are very beautiful, as is the view of the Ouveze.

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FR84
FR84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Mollans sur Ouvèze and Pierrelongue are worth a visit, as is the Ouvèze side, but the rest is a little disappointing.
Avoid the rocky side in hot weather.

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13EUREKA
13EUREKA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely, easy hike with beautiful views

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Joel84810
Joel84810

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The first part of the hike is beautiful, but the return trip from Pierrelongue is not very interesting.

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randovaep
randovaep

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There was some ambiguity at point 4, so we continued straight on to point 5 for the return trip, when we should have gone to the cave before turning back.
Otherwise, the route is magnificent, and we even enjoyed the coolness of the Ouvèze river.

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PhManoli
PhManoli

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route. A little difficult in places, but the view makes it worth the effort

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H
H

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice first part. At stage 3, the wooden panel has disappeared (or is not easily visible)
the second part allows you to see the original church of Pierrelongue

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Magali N
Magali N

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike! Best done in moderately warm weather, as the sun on the rock face reflects the heat. Note that, in my opinion, it is better to pass the lock on the entrance to the caves from below, as it is narrow and forces you to position yourself sideways. Be aware that while the fountains in Mollans were flowing, the one in Pierrelongue was not, but a villager filled our water bottle for us... :-)

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dominique naslin
dominique naslin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : Yes

The courses will be held in September...

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Franck D
Franck D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part is really great, with the added bonus of discovery.
When climbing Les Baumes, you're quite close to the road, so to avoid going back along the edge to get to Pierre Longue, we wanted to go behind towards Charillianne and leave the route at point 7. At first it's great... but then you find yourself lower down on private property with fences, so back to point 7... A word of advice: don't make the same mistake we did

We were a bit disappointed with the second part. We couldn't even find a nice spot to eat by the Ouvèze

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AUJAMES Denis
AUJAMES Denis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The first part is quite challenging, with even a narrow section where you have to use your hands on the rock. The second part is very, very easy. It's worth noting that the signage is excellent (a red dot under a yellow line) every 15 or 29 metres.

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michelbi38
michelbi38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Only the first part is really very good, the site at the foot of the cliff is magnificent, the signposting is excellent!

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jlcrcfx
jlcrcfx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We only did the first part, which allows you to discover an exceptional site. Definitely worth a visit.

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