The Suech Plateau

de fr

Overlooking the village of Rougon and located at an altitude of over 1,200 metres, the Plateau du Suech offers beautiful panoramic views where, with a little luck, you can admire the griffon vultures of the Verdon.

Details

n°385330
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 379 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 379 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,330 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 951 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ City: Rougon (04120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.800045° / E 6.398838°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3442OT, 3442OTR, 3542OT
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Photos

The plateau from the Catalan ridge
On the other side of the plateau
The vultures
The sea of clouds

Description of the walk

Park on the side of the D316, near the cemetery and the oratory.

(S/E) Head towards the village. Pass the residents' car park on your right and continue straight ahead, passing the grocery store/restaurant in Rougon. Take the first street on the left, Rue de la Cabane. Pass a narrow street on your right and continue up the path.
Cut across a path and continue straight ahead along the shaded trail, which joins a wider path at an oratory.

(1) Follow this path straight ahead in the same direction uphill. When you reach the foot of an electricity pylon, the slope becomes gentler, so walk on flat ground to reach the "Carrefour Barre de Catalan" signpost. Continue for about 200 metres to reach an intersection.

(2) Turn right, leaving theGR®4, which you will rejoin further up. Cross the plateau and continue straight ahead, climbing up to a small pass

(3) Leave theGR® by turning left towards Blieux. Leave a path on your left. After a short climb, the path splits; take the left-hand path and head for the edge of the plateau (La Grau - 1,327m).

(4) Turn left and follow the edge of the very stony plateau (yellow markings & cairn). The path then becomes grassier before joining a wider path which you take on the right.

(2) Continue straight ahead and return to Rougon via the path you took on the way there. Once you reach the grocery store/restaurant, at the fork, turn left to pass in front of the wash house/fountain. Cross the residents' car park, then return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 951 m - Visitor car park at the cemetery and oratory
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 1,026 m - Oratory
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 1,211 m - Plateau du Suech - 1212m, turn right
  4. 3 : km 3.61 - alt. 1,247 m - Caron - 1246m, turn left
  5. 4 : km 5.07 - alt. 1,330 m - La Grau - 1327m, turn left
  6. S/E : km 8.46 - alt. 951 m - Visitor car park at the cemetery and oratory

Notes

The only difficulty on this short hike is the sun, as there is no shade anywhere along the route, which is a real shame when you're climbing.

Worth a visit

Visit to the village of Rougon.
The vultures.
The sublime point.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
romanche
romanche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk that takes us across a deserted plateau; we’re all alone in the world with the vultures. Stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Thank you!

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LaurieT
LaurieT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start is a bit challenging but offers a panoramic view of the magnificent gorges.
After the first hour, the plateau itself lacks a little diversity and charm but is relaxing

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Olivier Poncin
Olivier Poncin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike starting from Rougon to admire the Verdon Gorge and the Pre-Alps

Add to the route the climb up to the Barre des Catalans to see the vultures flying overhead (fairly close by)

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Franck D
Franck D
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

What is interesting about this hike is the originality of the plateau
Indeed, it is not recommended in the height of summer, and even in November the climb is quite warm.
A few comments:

  • It would be a shame not to climb the Barre du Catalan. It adds 1.5km (round trip) and 103m of ascent, which is ultimately easier than it looks from the bottom. From the summit, there is a superb view of the village of Rougon with the gorges behind it. It's also the ideal spot to watch the vultures soaring against the ridge right next to it: a magical moment when we saw groups of about fifteen vultures. The trail is marked in yellow.
  • After the ..3.. continue on the GR towards Chasteuil for 300m: ideal for a break with a view of the village and the cadières de Brandis

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michel.bentounsi
michel.bentounsi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy but very beautiful hike, perfect for a family outing. Not very busy in September, a real pleasure! The village is very beautiful.

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RANDISA
RANDISA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hike completed on 9 May. We stayed on the GR4 between 2 and 3.
You can climb up to the Barre du Catalan, which adds 100 metres to the elevation gain. It's magnificent.
The hike is also described on the tourist hiking maps available from the Alpes de Haute Provence tourist office.

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phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in lovely weather, but very windy. Very beautiful scenery. We saw vultures. Pure joy.
The descent was a bit technical; you have to look for the markings on the rocks.

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phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in lovely weather, but very windy. Stunning scenery. We saw vultures. Pure joy.
The descent was a bit technical; you have to look for the markings on the rocks.

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SOLIGNAC
SOLIGNAC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking in rainy weather
Easy, and very pretty in spring
In Rougon, a charming bar for a hot chocolate

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FrancisDesj
FrancisDesj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Consistent with the idea one might form by reading the route on the map

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D84
D84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

wrap up warm, we're going up to higher ground and it's windy

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Cadounelle
Cadounelle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant family hike with beautiful views and lots of vultures!

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Gueulatie
Gueulatie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We had a lovely hike starting from the hamlet of Chasteuil. A beautiful climb through trees, broom, and flowers of all kinds (because the countryside is green at this time of year), arriving at the plateau, which is also green at this time of year. We arrived within sight of Rougon and discovered the magnificent view of the canyon: the Samson corridor. We met a few hikers who were crossing from hamlet to hamlet on the GR 4.
The trail is very well marked, but there are few opportunities to get lost!

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Hue Cocotte
Hue Cocotte

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely half-day hike, with no particular difficulties. Beautiful views of the Alps on the Digne side.
Magnificent view from the edge of the plateau towards the gorges, with the added bonus of vultures flying in large numbers close to the edge of the plateau. The section across the plain is a little less interesting (but the view of the Alps at the end is worth it!!)

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JackHM57
JackHM57

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Apart from the view along the ridge (on the way back), nothing exceptional.

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