The Oppidum of Saint-Clément on the Sentier de la Baronne

This circular route, which follows wide forest tracks and is completely unchallenging, offers few open views but plenty of shade, which is much appreciated in hot weather.
This route is suitable for pushchairs with three large wheels.

Details

10871785
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 220 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 219 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 414 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 223 m

Description of the walk

To find the small car park at the start, follow the D87 from the Vère Grésigne Leisure Centre towards the Grande Baraque Forest House. In front of the forest house, turn right onto the dirt track, the Route Forestière du Rô Oriental. Continue for one kilometre to reach the clearing and its car park.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Facing the car park, head to the right. Follow the wide track called Route Forestière du Rô Oriental. Walk towards the first junction.

(1) Turn left onto the Route Forestière de la Baronne. Pass, not far on, a petroglyph or engraved rock. Skirt round Lac Rond. The track joins the Route Au Cœur de la Grésigne.

(2) At this four-way junction, leave the Route Forestière de la Baronne. Turn left onto the Chemin de Mailhac. The track heads west and then, after a large circular bend, turns south. At the end of the track, cross the Rô Oriental. Reach an inverted Y-junction.

(3) Turn sharply onto the Route Forestière de l'Ourtigas. Follow the north-westerly direction to the next inverted Y-junction.

(4) Turn sharply left. Follow the yellow markings which pass through the Oppidum Saint-Clément. Climb a few steps on the left to reach the oppidum, recognisable by its mound and protective ditch. Continue to the T-junction with the Route Forestière de l'Infernou.

(5) Turn left and cross the stream of the same name. Follow the stream to the Route Forestière du Rô Oriental. Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 226 m - Car park at the clearing
  2. 1 : km 1.41 - alt. 267 m - Junction with Route de la Baronne
  3. 2 : km 6.08 - alt. 413 m - The four trails
  4. 3 : km 9.72 - alt. 253 m - Junction with the Route Forestière de l'Ourtigas.
  5. 4 : km 10.57 - alt. 268 m - Junction - Oppidum saint-Clément
  6. 5 : km 11.29 - alt. 248 m - Junction with the Route Forestière de l'Infernou.
  7. S/E : km 13.07 - alt. 226 m - Car park at the clearing

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
User 26027453

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A circular, well marked and not particularly difficult, but very quickly becoming monotonous. We couldn't wait to finish!

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Farce
Farce

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I thought the walk was lovely; the dolmen was a bit worn, of course
It wasn’t too difficult; I’d happily do it again

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Christian 12170
Christian 12170

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

The circuit is very shaded, making it pleasant in hot weather.
It consists mainly of wide forest tracks.
The undergrowth scenery can become rather boring quite quickly. The circuit is perhaps more enjoyable in autumn or winter when the oak trees have lost their leaves.

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Farce
Farce

Hello
A very beautiful hike
On the route, you have to pass by the waterfall.

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marix65
marix65
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant hike. The trail is less shaded now due to tree cutting. This trail can also be done on mountain bikes.
The areas indicated as having fallen trees have been cleared.
Be careful at point 4 towards the oppidum, follow the yellow markings carefully as the passage is narrow and we missed it.
The oppidum hasn't moved , it's still there. You can clearly see the large ditch and the big wall. But don't expect to see any Romans or even any signs. It's a place overgrown with vegetation, but your imagination will do the rest...
The same information is displayed on the ONF signs.

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Farce
Farce

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant hike

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Zenitude
Zenitude

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Signs and directions are all too often contradictory or non-existent. I never saw the oppidum or the location of the spring for the ‘Petit Vichy’ – the water was dry but tasted good, though it wasn’t signposted.
The signs do not mention the distance remaining to the advertised destination.

The forest is very beautiful and is enough to make the walk enjoyable. An incredible calm accompanies us (unfortunately, few birds).

95% of the route is on a charmless, stony path.
The remains of logging operations litter the path and serve as a constant reminder of man’s messy presence.

I wouldn’t take a three-wheeled pushchair here, as suggested in the description... it’s a right bumpy ride for 12km after all!

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