The Grand Beau Rocher circular loop from Vaugany

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This circular loop starting from Vaujany takes you up through the forest and blueberry bushes to the Grand Beau Rocher. There isn't really a rock at this spot, but there is a magnificent view of the entire region.

Details

n°779064
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 811 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 811 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,922 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,253 m
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Photos

Lac du Verney

Description of the walk

The starting point is located at the car park near Le Rochat, but it is possible to start from one of the many car parks in Vaugany.

(S/E) Go down Rue Le Grand Chemin, which passes below Place de la Fare. After the left-hand bend, join Route du Rochas and follow it downhill to the exit of the hairpin bend.

(1) Take the path on the right towards Le Collet. It runs alongside various properties and passes in front of the Wildlife Museum. Cross a first stream in a bend and continue along the path for about 450 metres.

(2) Leave the path that continues straight ahead and turn right to follow the trail that climbs parallel to a small stream for a few dozen metres before turning left. This trail is marked, heading towards Le Collet, and then crosses mountain pastures. Make sure you close the gates behind you.

(3) After passing through a fence, take the path on the right towards Col du Sabot and Grand Beau Rocher. Follow this path to the crossroads at elevation 1745.

(4) Turn left to reach the place called Grand Beau Rocher. This path winds its way through various shrubs and blueberry bushes.

(5) Magnificent viewpoint, but there is no large rock here as one might think.
To continue, turn around and return to the previous crossroads.

(4). Turn left towards Col du Sabot. Follow the path to a place called Cressin, where the path joins a hairpin bend on the small road leading to Col du Sabot.

(6) Follow this road to the right until the next hairpin bend (approximately 700m). Take the path on the left that climbs up to the crossroads of paths, one of which leads to the hamlet of Les Orgières.

(7) Take the path that descends to the right towards Vaujany. This path crosses the road three times. The fourth time, follow the road until you reach the end of a hairpin bend and take the path on the right. Follow it to the crossroads above the D43a near the village of La Villette.

(8). Turn right and follow the path that runs alongside the hamlet of La Villette. 200 metres after passing the hamlet, turn right: do not take the path that descends towards the road. The path crosses various meadows, passes near some antennas and rejoins the starting point behind a holiday residence (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,302 m - Car park near Le Rochat
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 1,266 m - Path to the small pass
  3. 2 : km 1.03 - alt. 1,291 m - Path near the stream
  4. 3 : km 1.41 - alt. 1,461 m - Intersection towards Col du Sabot / Grand Beau Rocher
  5. 4 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,751 m - Towards Grand Beau Rocher
  6. 5 : km 3.37 - alt. 1,920 m - Grand Beau Rocher
  7. 6 : km 5.39 - alt. 1,713 m - Route du Col du Sabot
  8. 7 : km 6.07 - alt. 1,694 m - Intersection of Cal du Sabot and Vaujany
  9. 8 : km 7.67 - alt. 1,374 m - La Villette
  10. S/E : km 8.78 - alt. 1,302 m - Car park near Le Rochat

Notes

In sunny weather, be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen, as part of the route is outside the forest.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Trex
Trex

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

This hike is moderately difficult, but you need to be in good physical condition because the 800 m elevation gain is at a 15% gradient. The first part is under the trees and very pleasant. Please note that the GPS track on Visiorando no longer seems to be up to date, as there must have been a change to the route. You need to follow the yellow markings (a yellow leaflet) from point 2 to point 4.
We only came across two people, and the scenery is magnificent and the trails very pleasant.
Do not underestimate your fitness level before setting off.

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patbru54
patbru54

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In spring, on the descent back down, wear waterproof shoes as the ground is very spongy in places and there are numerous streams.

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Sergio-69
Sergio-69

Good evening, Jcrenoult
At what point in the description did you encounter problems following the hike?
Why didn't you use the map?
Kind regards

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Jcrenoult
Jcrenoult

Overall rating : 2.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

First part well marked. Random climb to the summit.

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jlf13
jlf13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk around Vaujany, marred by rainy weather that spoiled the visibility.

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Galumo38
Galumo38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very physical climb. It was exactly as described. We were prepared for it, worked up a good sweat, and really enjoyed being in the shade of the pine trees for most of the climb.
We found the setting really very pretty. Magnificent views.
Thank you to the person who posted it. Great share.

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LOCCI
LOCCI

OK, but I didn't print it out.

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grandin
grandin ★

LOCCI

When planning your hike, remember to take a look at the elevation chart. That's what it's there for.

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LOCCI
LOCCI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A bit warm on the way back up after the highest point: that's why I rated it "average" in the description (we weren't expecting that).

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miss38
miss38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

In any case, it's difficult to find the place, which isn't signposted on the road... We found it by chance...
This hike, which takes you up quite steeply without many flat sections, is not recommended for beginners because even I, who am used to this kind of elevation gain, couldn't take any more when I reached the "drop" point.
We did it two weeks ago and crossed three snowfields on avalanche couloirs.
Fortunately, there was soil on these snowfields, otherwise it would have been impossible to cross them.
To be honest, apart from the feeling of exertion, the climb is not very interesting.
On the other hand, the descent is really nice in a very pretty setting.
It more than makes up for the climb.

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