La Chaudière - Col de la Baume

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Hike opposite the Trois Becs massif, which forms the eastern slope of the Saou forest and its Perched syncline. Beautiful views of this magnificent rocky ridge.

Details

n°10662733
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 301 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 307 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,012 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 735 m
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Photos

A short break...
Small stone path
View from the trail

Description of the walk

Park your vehicle just before the village of La Chaudière (car park).

Yellow markings throughout the route.

(S/E) Walk to the entrance of the village. Before the first house, take the gravel path on the left. Ignore a path branching off to the left and continue uphill on the north side to the Col de la Baume. Beautiful views of the Trois Becs.

(1) At the pass, take the path to the right of the information board, which descends alongside a small stream to the first fork.

(2) Continue right along the path towards "La Chaudière". Be careful not to follow the red cross on the path. The signpost is located a few metres after the crossroads. Continue down the steep and slippery path, in places, almost to the bottom of the valley.

(3) At the junction, turn right and continue straight ahead, keeping the hillside on your right.
Continue gently uphill towards La Chaudière, following the contours of the hill.

(4) At the signpost, turn right and cross the hamlet straight ahead (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 885 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 2.96 - alt. 999 m - Col de la Baume (1002m)
  3. 2 : km 3.29 - alt. 956 m - La Chaudière - Les Sadous junction
  4. 3 : km 4.15 - alt. 756 m - Return from Les Sadous. Near the - Courance (rivière) à finaliser
  5. 4 : km 6.2 - alt. 878 m - La Chaudière - South Entrance
  6. S/E : km 6.32 - alt. 885 m - Car park

Notes

The route alternates between woodland and rocky terrain. If you prefer steep climbs to descents, do the route in the opposite direction.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
yves7826
yves7826

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At first, there were red markings rather than yellow ones. There was a little confusion at the start in finding the path on the left that we shouldn't take, but overall, the signs were accurate and helped us find our way. In particular, it was useful to warn that some parts were a little slippery. We didn't meet anyone during our walk on 31 August 2025 in ideal weather conditions. The return journey is a bit physically demanding and can be difficult in hot weather, which wasn't the case for us.

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Jean m 26
Jean m 26

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I recommend doing the circuit in reverse, starting from the village. Especially in summer, the southern part is hot! Returning via the forest road is pleasant. The climb is long and a bit strenuous for those who are not in good shape!

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M@nU7
M@nU7

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first half is on a forest path = moderately interesting, the second half is a rather pleasant trail.

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Wjj
Wjj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A very beautiful hike, but best avoided after heavy rain, as the stream swells and fills the valley at the start of the descent, making it very difficult to pass without wading through mud and getting your feet wet. The entire section along the mountainside is stunning, surrounded by broom and offering superb views of the Three Beaks cliffs.
Best regards

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paulroyet
paulroyet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We started this route the day after heavy rain. When we reached point 1 (Col de la Baume), we headed towards point 2 but quickly turned back because the path had turned into a stream. We then headed north on a forest path to Col du Perrier, where we rejoined the GR 965 for the return trip to La Chaudière. The walk was very beautiful with views of the Trois Becs and a visit to the village on arrival (very beautiful chapel).

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nechto
nechto

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hello,
It would be preferable to reverse the direction of the route because too many of the downhill sections are steep and slippery in the current direction. This leads me to classify this route as "moderate".
Overall, the reverse direction would be much more comfortable. And then it would be "easy".
Enjoy your walks!

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MSkyfall
MSkyfall

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery, well described, completed today.
The first 3 km section up to the Col de la Beaume climbs gently and is very easy. The next 3 km from the information board are accessible but the descent is long and steep.
I would not recommend it for older people or young children.

I agree with the previous review regarding the level of difficulty, which is more moderate than easy.

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crapahuter
crapahuter

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done yesterday, for the second time.

Up to the Col de la Baume, it's a wide forest path that climbs gradually.
Then it becomes a narrow, long and steep trail before a long climb in the late afternoon sun (I left at 3pm).
Same impression as last time: I would classify it as "moderate" rather than "easy" due to the length and steepness of the trail.
Be careful if you have weak knees...
Take walking sticks.
Other than that, it's peaceful and the natural surroundings are beautiful. I recommend it.

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