Grand tour of the Saou Forest

From Bourdeaux, take the D538 and park in Saou, in the car park next to the town hall.

Mountain bike route marker no. 5

(S/E) From Saou, head straight on along the D136 towards the forest. At the first junction, turn right, then right again towards Château d’Eurre, without actually going there.

(1) At this junction, turn left towards Chantebise. Carry on straight ahead at the first junction until you reach a second one, on a bend.

(2) Follow the track to the left, then, at the next junction, leave it to go round the campsite on the right. Pass Pas de Lestang and come out onto the D70.

(3) Turn left to reach Le Pertuis.

(4) Keep to the right and follow the road, then turn left onto the greenway. Follow it until you reach the wide track. Turn left to reach Les Abeilles.

(5) Follow the path to the right, towards Raillon. At the track, turn left to reach the Raillon bend and the ruins of the farm of the same name.

(6) Continue along the track until you reach the signpost marked “Chemin muletier” (second track on the right).

(7) Carry on straight ahead along the track until you reach the Refuge des Girards.

(8) Stay on the track until you reach the Pré de l’Âne bend, located after the second stream.

(9) Continue along the track towards the Bergerie de Bois Vert.

(10) Begin the descent towards the Porte de Barry viewpoint.

(11) Continue the descent along the track on the right to the Refuge des Princes.

(12) Keep going straight on and, shortly afterwards, at the bend, head straight along a path towards Les Fourneaux. At the end of the path, cross the track to reach the Coupes track.

(13) Turn left to reach Les Clos. Follow the sign for Pont de Pézillet at the end of the track, first turning right then left. At the end of the descent, follow the stream on the left until you reach the bridge.

(14) Cross the road and follow the path to Le Pertuis, turning right onto the road. Continue to the bridge.

(4) Turn right and cross the bridge. At the D136, turn left, then left again until you reach the campsite entrance.

(15) Follow the track straight ahead (ignore the campsite access road) until you reach Chantebise.

(2) Turn right, then straight on towards the castle.

(1) Turn left onto the small road leading to the old ball bearing factory, then right onto Rue de l’Oume, and right again to return to the car park (S/E).

Please note: the Trois-Becs trail is closed to mountain bikes to prevent damage to the walking routes and to preserve the high-altitude grasslands.

From 15 May to 15 July: two temporary quiet zones will be in place to protect chamois in the Trois-Becs area.
Please stay on the marked trails and follow any diversions put in place!

We strongly recommend taking the IGN map referenced on these pages with you. Mountain bikers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency number: 18 or 112.
Information fromthe Val de Drôme Tourist Office, Saoû branch: 04 75 76 01 72 / tourisme@val-de-drome.fr
Departmental Service for Sensitive Natural Areas: 04 75 79 27 21 / environnement@ladrome.fr

- Saoû Forest
- Barry viewpoint (11)