Long circular in the Saou forest

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A route offering a good introduction to this hilltop forest, its tranquillity and the birdsong. You approach the Trois Becs without actually climbing them. Just enough to make you want to come back and tackle them.

Please note: the route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are off-limits between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide walkers; see here.

Details

n°244527
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.97 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 8 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,937 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,934 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,501 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,526 ft
Downloads
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Description of the walk

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

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

(1) Turn left onto the mule track for a warm-up on a technical path. You’ll reach a track.

(2) Turn right onto it and, following a long stretch that is initially level then slightly uphill, reach the hamlet of La Selle.

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

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

(5) Head down to the right and join the track leading to the Refuge des Girards. Follow this track down to the left until you reach the Pré de l’Âne bend, still on theGR®®9.

(6) Turn slightly left to leave the track and reach an intermediate junction.

(7) Carry straight on to reach the Pas de Siara and enjoy the view.

(8) Head back down to the crossroads.

(7) Turn left and follow a level path to reach the Pas de Floréal.

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

(10) Leave theGR®®9, which heads left, and continue down the track to the right to reach the Refuge des Princes after a long hairpin bend. Follow the track for a few more metres until you reach a hairpin bend to the right.

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

(12) Cross the track you left earlier and continue straight ahead, keeping to the right.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,526 ft - Car park. Head east along the - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 1,581 ft - Chemin des Muletiers
  3. 2 : mi 0.94 - alt. 2,142 ft - Tourist trail
  4. 3 : mi 3.52 - alt. 3,327 ft - La Selle
  5. 4 : mi 4.02 - alt. 3,786 ft - Pas de la Motte
  6. 5 : mi 5.29 - alt. 4,501 ft - Pas de la Laveuse
  7. 6 : mi 6.85 - alt. 3,986 ft - Virage du Pré de l'âne
  8. 7 : mi 6.96 - alt. 4,094 ft - Intermediate junction
  9. 8 : mi 7.16 - alt. 4,239 ft - No Siara viewpoint
  10. 9 : mi 8.1 - alt. 4,088 ft - No Floréal
  11. 10 : mi 9.41 - alt. 3,445 ft - Porte du Barry
  12. 11 : mi 10.79 - alt. 2,927 ft - Crossroads with a hairpin bend
  13. 12 : mi 11.59 - alt. 2,339 ft - Cut across the track, head straight on
  14. 13 : mi 11.87 - alt. 2,106 ft - Crossroads, take the second path on the left
  15. S/E : mi 12.98 - alt. 1,526 ft - Car park

Notes

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

Worth a visit

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

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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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
JR13

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
oponcin

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
JCNAU

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
danyel6907

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
ploumfam

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
ptitphilou

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
kitaetables07

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.
Michel E1.

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
ROBERTO26200

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
efgeric

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!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Les 3 Becs via the Grande Combe, then Pas de Picourère and Pas de la Laveuse

Visorando Member
↔11.39 mi ↗+4,222 ft ↘-4,222 ft ◔8h 55 ▲Difficult
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A beautiful, long hike that alternates between forest, alpine meadows and ridge paths before returning through the forest.A gentle climb through the forest via the Grande Combe, which zigzags between two cliffs. Then the view opens up between the Pas de Siara and the Pas de la Laveuse, passing by the Veyou and close to the other peaks of the Trois Becs. Descent through the beech forest.The effort is richly rewarded by the variety of landscapes and superb views over the Vercors and the Saou Forest syncline. Please note: the route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are closed to the public between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide walkers; seehere. 

Walking Les Clos - Saoû Forest

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↔9.66 mi ↗+2,697 ft ↘-2,697 ft ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
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A beautiful hike where the watchword is "diversity"! This superb route, zigzagging between two cliffs, will take you gradually uphill via the Grande Combe, amidst lush vegetation. The Pas de Siara offers a glimpse of the southern Alpine meadows of the Trois Becs, where sheep from neighbouring valleys graze during the summer. The descent is gentle through the beech forest, typical of the montane zone.

Walking In the footsteps of the Huguenots in the Saoû Forest

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↔2.27 mi ↗+381 ft ↘-381 ft ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
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Walking Saou Forest via the Pas de la Motte, the Quatrième Bec and the Pomerolle

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↔16.52 mi ↗+5,686 ft ↘-5,689 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
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A hike with a significant elevation gain but no particular difficulty apart from its length; a good part of the route is shaded in case of hot weather.See Practical Information regarding the section near the cliffs.Reserved for experienced hikers. Please note: the route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are off-limits between 15 May and 15 July.Specific signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide users; seehere. 

Walking Les Pomerolle

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Visorando Member
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↔13.30 mi ↗+4,911 ft ↘-4,898 ft ◔10h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saou (Drôme)
From the Auberge des Dauphins, there is a magnificent climb up the Grande Combe to reach the Rocher de la Laveuse and the Trois Becs, a legendary hike in the Saou Forest. Please note that the route passes through a quiet area for wild animals. Certain sections are closed between 15 May and 15 July. Specific signage and a diversion from the GR®9 trail have been put in place to assist users. See here for more information.

Walking Saoû Forest

Visorando Member
Forêt de Saoû
↔12.68 mi ↗+2,799 ft ↘-2,812 ft ◔8h 15 ▲Difficult
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A superb hike in the Saoû Forest for those who love nature and sport, a challenge for us budding hikers. Despite the fairly long route, we were delighted and pleasantly surprised by the wild beauty of the landscape and the view of the Trois Becs.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.