La Goulandière from La Balme de Rencurel

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This hike offers superb views of the Bourne Gorges. The trails are very well maintained and easily accessible. A picnic at Banc du Ranc is a must! The village of La Goulandière is also worth a visit.

Details

n°7125990
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 555 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 562 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,075 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 647 m
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Photos

Stone construction
An old stone cistern
The large meadow of La Goulandière
La Goulandière shelter

Description of the walk

Start at the side of the D531 road on the facilities near the hydroelectric power station.

(S/E) Head south-west for 250 metres and turn onto the path that climbs to the right. The path is marked.

(1) On the trail, make a round trip uphill and to the right for a quick visit to the chasm in a pile of rocks, then continue climbing.

(2) At this point, you can leave the marked trail to head due west to La Petite Goulandière. Take the trail that starts on the left, even though it is marked with a yellow/green cross. The trail is heavily used by wild boars that go to the large meadow 350 m due west. Follow their tracks and walk along the bottom of the meadow, then head into the boxwood trees, still due west, going uphill. You will arrive at the ruins of Petite Goulandière.

(3) From there, follow the path southwards downhill to the Banc du Ranc viewpoint, which offers a superb view of the Bourne Gorges and the magnificent Cirque du Bournillon.

(4) After a short or long break, climb back up the path to Petite Goulandière.

(3) Cross the ruins heading north towards the Abri de la Goulandière.

(5) At this point, turn right towards the east and cross the ruins of La Goulandiére and continue to the fork.

(6) Here you have two options:
- Go to point 2 by turning right and return via the path you took on the way up.
- Or follow the description by continuing east towards Les Antis and Les Ailes. Follow this beautiful path. Please note that the GPS route does not follow the map. You must head towards Les Antis, which you can see.

(7) Before La Balme-Riendre, follow the directions on a small sign to a fork in the road.

(8) Under Les Ailes, find the directions on a post and continue along a marked path. Turn right towards the south and begin the long descent towards the east on this path surrounded by box trees and moss-covered trees.

(9) Les Gondrants is very close to Balme de Rencurel. Follow the path, which continues downhill. Cross the village and turn right onto the D531, which you should follow on the right bank of the Bourne.
Watch out for vehicles. This will take you back to the starting point, about a kilometre away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 655 m - Car park near the hydroelectric power station - Bourne (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.24 - alt. 786 m - Chasm
  3. 2 : km 2.94 - alt. 994 m - End of the trail markers
  4. 3 : km 3.5 - alt. 1,065 m - Petite Goulandière ruins
  5. 4 : km 3.86 - alt. 1,013 m - Belvédère du Ranc
  6. 5 : km 4.62 - alt. 1,075 m - Ruins of La Goulandière - Cabin
  7. 6 : km 4.9 - alt. 1,043 m - Variation
  8. 7 : km 7.16 - alt. 1,018 m - Les Antis
  9. 8 : km 7.73 - alt. 992 m - Sous les Ailes
  10. 9 : km 9.19 - alt. 718 m - Les Gondrants - Doulouche (rivière) - Affluent de la Bourne
  11. S/E : km 10.27 - alt. 654 m - Car park near the hydroelectric power station

Notes

This hike may be difficult depending on your level. There is no drinking water available.

Worth a visit

If you have time, visit the Choranche caves and the beautiful village of Pont-en-Royans with its forgotten gardens.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
manix25
manix25

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike.

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Misterbean_JC
Misterbean_JC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting hike undertaken out of season (October) in thick fog, which made it all the more magical. Based on the very accurate comments already shared by other hikers, I would like to add my own experience at WP 2. The fork to the left on the way up is almost impassable, but not impossible.
The most comfortable option is to continue straight ahead (uphill) to point 6 and quickly reach the ruins of La Grande Goulandière, then continue on to the viewpoint. Retrace your steps to point 6 and turn left to continue the circular route.
We nevertheless opted for the fork to the left at point 2, walking through the woods Indiana Jones-style for about 150 metres before arriving at an imposing clearing, which we crossed to reach the ruins of La Grande Goulandière and continue our hike (WP 5, 3, 4 and back to 6).

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Cécile B5.
Cécile B5.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with plenty of shade at the beginning. Not very well marked at one point, so we relied on the GPS in the forest. A few scares at one point (grunting wild boars in the thickets), we were a bit nervous! Magnificent scenery at the top

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renatore
renatore

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with stunning scenery on the cliffs. Lovely path through the forest and meadows. Cloudy at times but a beautiful hike. Worth doing again.
Hike completed on 29 April 2024.
René

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HERVE1852
HERVE1852

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful, shaded route. Although this route can be done in either direction, it is preferable to go clockwise (as indicated in the guidebook) as it is much more pleasant/easier.
The Ranc viewpoint is a must-see to enjoy the view.
No particular difficulty.

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MXDMXD
MXDMXD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk under the trees. The description is well done.
The view from the Belvédère is very pretty. There are benches.
What's great is that the route is under the trees. I recommend doing this walk in dry, very hot weather.
The route is not very busy on the way there. It is a little busier on the way back (which seems to be designed as a family walk).
Two points to note
At WPT02, the path to WPT3 has disappeared. You can still get through because the GPS is very helpful.
At WPT06, the forest road has been renovated, but you must remember to leave it and start from the left.

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tchoumi
tchoumi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful forest walk on a very hot day. We were able to enjoy the welcome shade of the magnificent undergrowth, dominated by common beech trees.

It was easy to find the "western trail" mentioned in point (2) of the description. It starts at the bend in the marked path and the yellow/green cross painted on a tree is clearly visible. Up to the large meadow, this path remains fairly well marked. You will pass a large wild boar wallow. Beyond the meadow, when you re-enter the woods, things get a little more complicated. There are no more tracks and it is not easy to make progress through the boxwood. Keep heading west.

The Ranc viewpoint offers an impressive panorama of the Bourne gorges and the southern Vercors mountains. There are benches for a pleasant break and an orientation table.

The two ruined hamlets of La Goulandière bear witness to what daily life was like in the early 20th century in the heart of the Coulmes forest. Along the route, old stone cisterns attest to the difficulty of obtaining water at that time.

The descent to La Balme de Rencurel from "Sous les Ailes" is quite steep. Avoid in wet weather due to a thick layer of dead leaves.

Thanks to Craco.35 for posting this hike online.

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olivier saada
olivier saada

Yes, but that's not much for a four-hour hike...

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craco.35
craco.35

The Ranc Pass still offers a great view. Don't you think?

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olivier saada
olivier saada
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that 95% of the hike takes place in the forest. If you want to enjoy the views and scenery, this is not the hike for you. However, if you love trekking through the forest, this is the hike for you!
The descent can be slippery in wet weather. It is steep and the path is rutted in places.
The fork at point 2 is almost impossible. However, you can stay on the marked path and climb up to the ruins in reverse, then return to the original route at point 3 by turning around.

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alainbellin
alainbellin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike to do during hot weather. We are in the shade almost the entire time.

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apetitpas
apetitpas

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded walk with no particular difficulties. However, I never found the small path at point 2 that was supposed to take me to Petite Goulandière. Branches had been piled up to block the way, discouraging hikers from taking this path. Perhaps it was a revolt by the wild boars, who were tired of being disturbed...
Nevertheless, we arrived at the ruins of Petite Goulandière and overall enjoyed this very shady walk. Thank you to all the contributors.

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DJEZE 38
DJEZE 38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

path a bit too deep in the woods

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tometjerry
tometjerry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk through the forest to reach the hamlet of Les Goulandieres and the fabulous viewpoint! The forest path is wide and pleasant, although a little steep. There are several ways to return, but we opted for the circular "sous les ailes", which is still in the forest but really very pleasant. The end of the path is also very steep!
It's a very pleasant hike.

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tometjerry
tometjerry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk through the forest to reach the hamlet of Les Goulandieres. The forest path is wide and pleasant, although a little steep. There are several ways to return, but we opted for the circular "sous les ailes", which is still in the forest but really very pleasant. The end of the path is also very steep!
It's a very pleasant hike.

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