Long circular in the Saou forest

This route offers a good introduction to this high-altitude forest, its tranquillity and birdsong. You will approach the Trois Becs peaks without actually climbing them. Just enough to make you want to come back and tackle them.

Please note that the route passes through a quiet area for wildlife. Certain sections are closed between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide users, seehere.

Details

n°244527

Creation:
17 Nov 2020

Last update:
15 May 2025

Last review:
18 Dec 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 20.88 km
Duration according to the author: 8 hrs
Difficulty: Very difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,200 m
Descent: - 1,199 m
Highest point: 1,372 m
Lowest point: 465 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Diois, Dauphiné
District: Saou (26400)
Start/End: N 44.652164° / E 5.130262°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3138OT
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Description of the walk

From Saou, follow signs for the Saou forest and then Auberge des Dauphins. Park in the car park before the track barrier.

(S/E) Follow the track eastwards to the eco-guard house.

(1) Turn left onto the mule track to warm up your legs on a technical path. You will reach a track.

(2) Turn right and follow a long path, which is initially flat and then climbs slightly, to reach a place called La Selle.

(3) Take the path on the left to reach Pas de la Motte and rejoin the^GR®®9and the ridge of the famous Trois Becs.

(4) Turn right to stay on the ridge and, following the^GR®®9(red and white markings), cross the Pas des Auberts and reach the Rocher de la Laveuse.

(5) Descend to the right and join the track leading to the Refuge des Girards. Continue along this track to the left, descending to the Pré de l'Âne bend, still on the^GR®®9.

(6) Bear slightly left to leave the track and reach an intermediate crossroads.

(7) Continue straight ahead to reach Pas de Siara and enjoy the panoramic view.

(8) Descend to the intermediate crossroads.

(7) Turn left and follow a horizontal path to Pas de Floréal.

(9) Take the second path on the right heading north to reach the Bois-Vert sheepfold, then the track, and rejoin the^GR®®9. Follow this track to the left, slightly downhill, to reach the Porte du Barry.

(10) Leave the^GR®®9, which branches off to the left, and continue downhill on the track to the right to reach the Refuge des Princes after a long bend. Continue along the track for a few metres until you reach a bend to the right.

(11) Leave the track on the right and take the path opposite to cut straight across.

(12) Cross the track you left earlier and continue straight ahead on the right.

(13) At the crossroads, take the second path on the left. After a sharp left-hand bend, join a track which you must cross to continue straight ahead and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 465 m - Car park. Head east along the - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
1 : km 0.47 - alt. 482 m - Chemin des Muletiers
2 : km 1.52 - alt. 653 m - Tourist trail
3 : km 5.66 - alt. 1,014 m - La Selle
4 : km 6.48 - alt. 1,154 m - Pas de la Motte
5 : km 8.51 - alt. 1,372 m - Pas de la Laveuse
6 : km 11.02 - alt. 1,215 m - Pré de l'âne bend
7 : km 11.21 - alt. 1,248 m - Intermediate crossroads
8 : km 11.53 - alt. 1,292 m - No Siara viewpoint.
9 : km 13.03 - alt. 1,246 m - No Floréal
10 : km 15.14 - alt. 1,050 m - Porte du Barry
11 : km 17.37 - alt. 892 m - Crossroads with hairpin bend
12 : km 18.65 - alt. 713 m - Cut across the track, continue straight ahead.
13 : km 19.11 - alt. 642 m - At the crossroads, take the second road on the left.
S/E : km 20.88 - alt. 465 m - Car park

Notes

Mobile phone reception is unreliable along the route.
No water points along the route.

Worth a visit

Café and shops in Saou.
For a stay in the Saou forest, visit the website.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

JR13

18 Dec 2023 at 09:01 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is rated as very difficult, but I would say it is more moderately difficult. The descents are slippery, but the rest is very accessible for experienced hikers.
The forest is splendid and the summit of Les Trois Becs is simply incredible, offering a rare 360° view.
The ridges are accessible and the descents are really enjoyable from a technical point of view.

It's worth doing at this time of year because the view of the snow-capped mountains is incredible.
The Alps, Auvergne, Vercors, Mont Ventoux...
Enjoy your walk!

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oponcin

14 Jul 2023 at 09:45 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful forest discovered by the Grande Combe.
https://youtu.be/-1YioN3SH7g
From the world to the 3 peaks

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JCNAU

25 Aug 2020 at 19:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : Yes

We did the reverse route, climbing up the mule track, the Pas de la Motte, the Pas des Auberts and the Rocher de la Laveuse before descending via the Grande Combe from the bend in the Pré de l'Âne. We took inspiration from the suggestion made to assess the length of the route. The ridge crossing is magnificent (and completely safe) with superb views of the Vercors and the syncline of the Saou forest. The descent through the valley is simply magical.
Not being on site, the choice of a shorter circular was obvious... the hike took a little over 5 hours, excluding a snack break at the Rocher de la Laveuse to enjoy the view of the Trois Becs.
To be done again... with the Trois Becs as a bonus.

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danyel6907

11 Jun 2018 at 19:22 7200

To return opposite the Pas de L'âne post, take the 45-degree track, a small path called La Grande Combe, which will take you back to the Dauphins car park on the bed of a river that only flows during heavy storms. 6.5 km of pure pleasure, a journey into another time. See the photos on my blog danyel6907.canalblog.com

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ploumfam

04 Jun 2018 at 13:17 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I think it would be a good idea to indicate the time or distance between successive points on the hike.
Furthermore, the first part (on the forest track on the south side) and the last part (on the forest track on the north side) are of little interest: they are long, monotonous and tiring.
On the other hand, the central part is superb.

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ptitphilou

06 Apr 2018 at 09:42 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant walk, lots of forest paths, the GPX track is good because it allows you to get off the beaten track.

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kitaetables07

03 Nov 2017 at 21:24 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I had a blast!!! Everything was very well organised, I can't wait to go back!!!

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Michel E1.

17 Jun 2017 at 12:08 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

The reward for the hike comes after a long walk when you reach the ridge.
Leaving the track at point 3 is easy with the Visorando app, but after that, the path, which is clearly marked on the IGN map, becomes almost invisible. Before the Col de la Laveuse sign, you come to a more clearly marked path on the left, but I couldn't see where it started.
To avoid the track at point 7, the bend at Pré de l'Âne, you can descend via the Vallon de la Vèbre, a magnificent 5 km long canyon that is very shady and always cool, even in hot weather. It can be a little slippery in wet weather.

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ROBERTO26200

24 Apr 2017 at 14:50 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This is a transitional hike before tackling more serious climbs. In fact, the start and end of the forest roads are of little interest (even though we were lucky enough to spot a fox wandering around without seeing us).
We had no difficulty finding the path at point 3, as it is clearly marked by a blue marker on the left of a wide left-right bend.
There are viewpoints here; this is the stage before the 3 Becs.

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efgeric

18 Apr 2017 at 08:27 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

From start to finish, the route taken is that of a DFCI (firebreak) which does not add much interest to the hike .
At point No. 3, it is very difficult to find and follow the path: you have to persevere!
At point No. 5, we took the 3 peaks, which, I think, are really worth visiting, otherwise the hike doesn't offer much.

Enjoy the hike!