The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Oratory circular route from Bramafan

The hike starts with an uphill climb to Pré de Marthe, where you can enjoy a view of Montagne du Cheiron. At Baisse de Saint-Barnabé, you can visit the magnificent Oratoire de Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The return journey takes you through the village of Courmes, which is well worth a visit.

Details

29199132
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 573 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 569 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 962 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 475 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking on the D3 at a place called Bramafan opposite the starting marker.

(S/E) From marker 260, take the road opposite the car park towards Pré Royer.

(1) At marker 259, continue along the road for 100 m (yellow markings) and take the path ascending to the right (cairn). Follow this winding path which passes under a power line. Continue the winding ascent. After passing under another power line, turn right at the hairpin bend to reach marker 258 (not present on the ground).

(2) Take the track on the right heading due south. When the track veers right downhill, do not follow it but take the path that continues on from the track (yellow markings) which passes under another power line.

(3) At marker 257, head towards Baisse Saint-Barnabé and continue to the next marker, no. 256.

(4) At marker 256, continue along the path that climbs up the eastern slope. When you reach a large cairn, turn left and immediately join the track that you take on the right to reach the Oratory.

(5) Turn right onto theGR®51towards Courmes. Pass marker 254 and leave the track to continue on theGR®51along a path on the right.

(6) At marker 253, do not take the path on the right that leads directly to the village of Courmes. Continue along the track to reach the water source where there is a water point.

(7) At the water source, turn right and continue on theGR®51to marker 190, where you can take a well-deserved break near the cistern.

(8) Turn right onto theGR®51towards Courmes through a forest. Be careful not to lose theGR®51(watch for the red and white markings).

(9) At marker 252, continue straight ahead, ignoring a path on the right, and arrive at marker 251.
From this point, you can take the opportunity to visit the village of Courmes on the left.

(10) Continue towards Bramafan and, at marker 250, follow the D503 for 2 km (very quiet road).

(11) Leave the D503 and take the forest road that climbs to the right (walking route) and follow theGR®51to marker 259.

(1) Take the same route back to the car park at marker 260 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 477 m - Car park Route D3 (marker 260) - Loup (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 528 m - Marker 259
  3. 2 : km 2.27 - alt. 881 m - Marker 258 (missing)
  4. 3 : km 3.15 - alt. 852 m - Marker 257
  5. 4 : km 3.92 - alt. 896 m - Marker 256
  6. 5 : km 4.64 - alt. 955 m - Saint-Jean-Baptiste Oratory
  7. 6 : km 6.12 - alt. 884 m - Marker 253
  8. 7 : km 7.38 - alt. 838 m - Captured spring
  9. 8 : km 8.43 - alt. 876 m - Marker 190
  10. 9 : km 9.82 - alt. 718 m - Marker 252
  11. 10 : km 10.32 - alt. 639 m - Courmes marker 251
  12. 11 : km 12.18 - alt. 552 m - Forest road junction
  13. S/E : km 14.09 - alt. 477 m - Car park Route D3 (marker 260)

Notes

Water source at the captured spring (7)

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
gréwis
gréwis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, only downside is too much tarmac in the last part of the walk, which is a shame.

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oenolatre
oenolatre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a pleasant winter hike. I modified the route slightly by extending it to the B265 and B264. The scenery over the Loup Gorges and the surrounding mountains is very pleasant. The St Barnabé plateau, with its desert-like appearance, has a lot of charm.

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leopal
leopal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike, although there is a fairly steep and long climb at the start (allow 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes from point 1 to point 2).
Beautiful views of the villages of Cipières and Gréolières.
From point 8 onwards, you need to follow the red and white markings carefully (not always easy to see).
The pretty little village of Courmes is worth a visit, with a stop at the only small café open.

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Joha
Joha

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with plenty of pleasant undergrowth, as the walk was done on 24/06/23 in hot weather. The water source was very welcome. The signposting is perfect.

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Perseepj
Perseepj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with no particular difficulties.
I really enjoyed the section from point 2 (the marker was raised) to point 8. The path is very easy with beautiful views of the valley. The oratory is a good place to take a break. The walk through the forest to Courmes is also pleasant.
Please note that if there are no parking spaces at the start, it is possible to drive to Courmes.

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