The troglodyte fortress of Gourdon and the Colle de Rougiès

An unusual hike. Discover a small fortress built on the side of a cliff and climb the Colle de Rougiès. This day trip takes you through two areas off the beaten track, including the Cavillore karst plateau. A treat for nature lovers.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 856 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 853 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,331 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 738 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in one of the car parks in the village of Gourdon.

(S/E) Head towards the only roundabout in Gourdon and follow the Caussols road, walking on the pavement. Look for signpost no. 7, pointing towards the Cavillore route.
After about 100 metres, another signpost no. 7 invites you to take the path on the right. Reach signpost no. 8. Turn right and continue towards the Cavillore route.GR®®51red and white markings. Follow the road uphill, which is the Chemin du Colombier, and cross a residential area. Reach marker no. 9. Turn left and continue towards the Cavillore route to arrive at a crossroads marked by a cairn.

(1) Keep right on theGR®®. After a few tight hairpin bends, you will reach the Col Est de Cavillore marked by marker no. 10.

(2) Leave theGR®® here and take the path on the right, which is not shown on the IGN map but is marked on the OSM map. This path is marked with cairns and passes in front of a beautiful drystone shelter. Note: if you lose sight of the markings, keep close to the rocky cliff. Follow it and discover magnificent, dizzying views of the Loup valley. Reach the grassy area of Trou du Mouton.

(3) Continue to the right, following the cliff, and you will soon reach a cairn in front of a very large green bush, another landmark, on the left, a low stone wall (see photo).

(4) Pass between the bush and the edge of the cliff.
Be very careful here: descend the gentle slope along a vertiginous path carved into the side of the cliffs overlooking the Loup Gorges. You will reach the troglodyte fortress. The last 10 metres are secured by a handrail, but you should still be extremely careful.

(5) Return to the previous crossroads, remaining very cautious. Find the crossroads in the grassy area.

(3) Turn right to cross this magnificent forest, using the Visorando app or the old-fashioned way by taking an azimuth. You will reach the Roman road, which is also theGR®®51. Turn right onto it to quickly reach the crossroads at marker 163.

(6) Leave theGR®® here and take the yellow marked trail on the left. Continue on an easy climb, cross the hamlet of Les Termes, then come out at the crossroads at marker 46.

(7) Continue to the right and finish the climb at Colle de Rougiès.

(8) Continue westwards along a descending path to reach marker 47.

(9) Turn left onto this descending path, which is quite uneven. Walk past two Observatory buildings. Continue following the yellow markings. At a bend, you will reach a crossroads near the hamlet of Les Parets.

(10) Turn left across the fields to reach a carriage road, continue straight ahead and descend to the tarmac road.

(11) Turn left and follow the road for about 100 metres, but take care as there is traffic. __ Leave the road at the next bend and turn left onto the track. Continue straight ahead along this path.
Pass a Chasse Gardée sign on a pylon. Leave the track and take the grassy path opposite, heading east, called Ravin de l'Ecre, which is actually a wet ditch. You will reach asecond track.

(12) Keep to the right to rejoin and follow the path uphill. On the right, you will see a field with small stone walls forming terraces. Just after a yellow gas pipe marker, you will reach a crossroads.

(13) Turn right, off the path, to begin crossing the Cavillore Plateau. Continue in a south-easterly direction until you find an unmarked path leading to the Roman road and theGR®®51.

(14) Leave theGR®® on your left, continue to the right, then begin a series of tight hairpin bends to reach a Y-shaped crossroads.

(15) Take the left fork and, after a left turn, you will reach the initial crossroads with the cairn you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the Gourdon car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 743 m - Car park in the village of Gourdon.
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 857 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 2.03 - alt. 1,030 m - East Pass - Col de Cavillore (1029 m)
  4. 3 : km 3.27 - alt. 986 m - Sheep hole
  5. 4 : km 3.53 - alt. 1,007 m - Cairns
  6. 5 : km 3.7 - alt. 1,060 m - Fortress
  7. 6 : km 5.47 - alt. 1,070 m - Beacon 163
  8. 7 : km 7.24 - alt. 1,251 m - Beacon 46
  9. 8 : km 8.35 - alt. 1,329 m - Colle de Rougiès (1335m)
  10. 9 : km 9 - alt. 1,297 m - Beacon 47
  11. 10 : km 10.01 - alt. 1,122 m - Les Parets
  12. 11 : km 10.29 - alt. 1,090 m - Tarmac road
  13. 12 : km 11.17 - alt. 1,108 m - Road suitable for vehicles.
  14. 13 : km 11.81 - alt. 1,144 m - Yellow Gaz marker
  15. 14 : km 13.77 - alt. 1,030 m - Crossroads near marker 11.
  16. 15 : km 14.98 - alt. 892 m - Y-junction
  17. S/E : km 16.39 - alt. 739 m - Village car park

Notes

Between marker 9 and (1) The stony path immediately offers a magnificent view of the village of Gourdon and the Mediterranean coast.
(5) The last 10 metres of access to the fortress are dangerous for children.
The mobile app will be useful on two occasions, covering a total of more than 3 km off the beaten track. Otherwise, use a map and compass.
Hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended. Stony terrain.
Water point next to the roundabout, on the village side. No water on the route.

Worth a visit

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

4.2 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
bernard bb
bernard bb

Hello Maryma,
I love your last comment, which sums up this hike perfectly
"A nature hike, a breath of fresh air and the joy of walking."
That says it all. Best wishes, B.

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Maryma
Maryma

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike that allows us to discover beautiful views both on the way there and on the way back. Between the two, the sheer cliff face of the Fortress is impressive and not to be missed, but apart from the "entrance gate", nothing remains. For those who are afraid of heights, they are not missing anything by not crossing the steep passages. Be very careful on the path, as we are sometimes on the edge of cliffs. In response to bebeghislaine, I passed the two handrails and went to the very end, i.e. until I found the sheer cliff. There is no point in going any further. Except that I found daffodils there, which I didn't see anywhere else on the rest of the route ;-))
After the round trip to the fortress, the first part is off-trail. You need to know how to use a map and compass or have a GPS app as there are no trails. There are only animal tracks. The same applies to the second part of the off-trail section on the Cavillore karst plateau. On these sections, you move slowly as you look for the best route and observe the landscape to find your bearings. That said, the route is not difficult for any regular hiker. The same applies to the descents.

A nature hike, a breath of fresh air and the joy of walking )

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, bebeghislaine, for this review.

However, I don't have the answer about this second handrail.
If I get the information, I will pass it on to you.
Best regards, b.

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. We didn't do the whole circular due to lack of time, but we'll come back and do the Cavillore circular. Can anyone tell me? After the fortress, there is a second handrail. Is it worth continuing? Thank you in advance for your reply.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, GGPOLICE, for this "sweaty" review that rings true.
That's exactly right. "Hiking is also a bit of an adventure and the unexpected..."
Hiking regards, B.

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GGPOLICE
GGPOLICE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
Thank you for sharing the route.
The description matches the reality on the ground.
Several comments mention the difficulty of following the route in certain sections, but frankly, you just need to keep going straight ahead to get back on the trail you need to follow.
The forest is not very dense, and even if you lose your way from time to time, you will eventually find another path.
On the plateau, the view is clear enough to keep going in the right direction, i.e. straight ahead.
Hiking is also a bit of an adventure and full of surprises...
For me, this hike was very enjoyable from start to finish, with superb views. My three companions shared my opinion.
There were quite a few people at the start for the month of May, which is normal as we are close to Gourdon, but then there was hardly anyone after the fork towards the Fortress. We saw a few people again on the descent towards Gourdon at the end.
Enjoy your walk!

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Dear Nicolas Bonnet (Grisdal), hello,

Thank you for your opinion, but tastes and colours... are not up for debate.

The statement clearly states "a total of more than 3 km off the beaten track. Otherwise, use a map and compass."

The compass, an invention that allows you
- not having your nose glued to your phone
- observe nature
- get off the beaten track
We invite you to read the practical information.
Best regards, b.

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Nicolas Bonnet (Grisdal)
Nicolas Bonnet (Grisdal)

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Despite the bad weather we had, the cave fortress is nice, but there's no need to go all the way to the end. The views on a clear day must be superb.
BUT if you like hiking with your nose glued to your phone, there are no marked trails on sections 3 to 6 and 11 to 14, no clearly defined paths, and you'll be crossing private property.
You have to enjoy walking off the beaten track, which is strongly discouraged for various reasons (damaging flora and fauna, ticks, etc.).
The return journey (from point 10) is not interesting, but you have to get back somehow.
Not a good experience.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Jdarracq, for your excellent review
Best regards, B.

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Jdarracq
Jdarracq

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very beautiful route, completed in 4.5 hours.
Not marked between points 3–6 and 13–14, but by taking an azimuth (or using the GPS point on the app...), no problems.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, Cricri, for this comprehensive review.
Best regards, B.

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cricri83
cricri83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful hike. Beautiful route. A must-do!
Just remember to bring a small strap for those who are worried about the passage through the troglodyte fortress.
I recommend it for a beautiful day like we had.
Thank you.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Yes, Bessillon,
it's a hike, not a tourist route
although there are some beautiful views to be seen.
Best regards, B.

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bernard bb
bernard bb

Thank you, KIKICOBRA65, for this review.
it's true that it's a hike, not a tourist route,
although you did see some beautiful views, which is the main thing.
Best regards, B.

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Bessillon
Bessillon

In agreement with the comment...👍

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