The Rock of Cairo

The great cliff of Rocher du Caire rises above Rémuzat. Look up and you'll see griffon vultures flying over the valley.
Please note that a hiker has informed us that a municipal by-law (posted at the top) prohibits hiking in the opposite direction.

Details

6061
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 646 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 648 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,034 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 435 m

Photos

Description of the walk

When arriving via the D94 in Rémuzat, park in the village square.

(S) Follow the Oule towards Eygues. The path narrows, passes through rocky terrain and scree, then climbs into the woods.

(1) A little further on, turn right, climb the zigzag path over the stones, then climb the rock face: handrails and ladders will help you climb.
Pass under the rocky cliff, the trail runs along the ridge and climbs up the stony valley, climbing steeply up the south side (do not attempt in hot weather) in a few switchbacks!
You will reach the plateau and the Croix du Caire at the edge of the cliff, with a panoramic view of the Rémuzat valley. Vertiginous!!!

(2) From here, you will certainly see vultures, more or less close by, depending on the season (they were shy that day).
Follow the path along the cliff, a long steady climb, then descent to the Col de Sinat May on the left.

(3) At the pass, turn sharp right at the crossroads and descend steeply into the woods.
At the Ravine du Col, follow the path on the right until you reach the Saint Véran junction, then take the stony track around the plateau.

(4) At a left-hand bend, leave the track and take the path on the right towards Rémuzat.
Follow this path for quite a long time under the pine trees.

(5) Above the Ravin de Clarissane, the path passes through black pine trees and then scree.
After a few bends, you will arrive in a gorse field, with Rémuzat in sight.
Descend directly to the car park (E).

You can also visit the Saint Michel chapel before returning to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 448 m - Park in the village square. - Oule (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.4 - alt. 435 m - Crossroads trail - Eygues (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.58 - alt. 751 m - Cross of Cairo
  4. 3 : km 5.53 - alt. 959 m - Col de Saint-May (975m)
  5. 4 : km 7.57 - alt. 654 m - Track bend
  6. 5 : km 8.93 - alt. 646 m - Clarissane Ravine
  7. S/E : km 10.29 - alt. 448 m - Village square

Notes

Be careful when climbing the scree, it gets very hot in summer, and be careful not to slip, the climb up the ladders is a little dizzying, but there is no danger, just be careful.

Worth a visit

Saint Michel Chapel.
The House of Vultures.
Saint May, the village of vultures.
Lavender in June and July.
Nyons.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 72 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Michou-bidou-77
Michou-bidou-77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is not for everyone, with difficult sections (ladders, cables and more than 600 m of elevation gain). But it can be done in a day; I did it with a visually impaired person. When you arrive at the Croix du Caire, you will see vultures flying overhead and have a magnificent view of Rémuzat.

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Jean Marc N.
Jean Marc N.

The first part of the hike is very enjoyable and pleasant on the plateau with quite a few vultures. After the pass, the descent is in the shade until you reach the quarry, where semi-trailers really spoil the end of the hike. I climbed slightly above the quarry road to finish, but the path keeps going up and down, which is not great!

As with all hikes, it's difficult to rank them in order of difficulty!
In the sun, I find the end not very pleasant, but safe enough for me!

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User 7799431

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The start of this hike from point 1 is not without risk, despite what you may read. Everything is well marked, of course, but in some places the danger is real: from the start of the climb, the rock face is almost vertical in places, with safety ensured by metal cables and a ladder, as well as pitons sealed into the rock, and scree slopes here and there. And if you want to turn back, it's impossible because it's too dangerous. This route, classified as moderate, is only suitable for people with some climbing experience, who are not prone to vertigo, and certainly not for children. It is only once you reach the plateau that everything returns to "normal", with vultures still waiting in the wings. In fact, the few people we met from there had climbed up another route, which I repeat, was less perilous. Finally, for the descent, the numerous scree slopes require suitable footwear. As you will have understood, I am issuing a real warning about this route, which should only be attempted with full knowledge of the difficulties involved.

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Jean Marc N.
Jean Marc N.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first part of the hike was very enjoyable and fun on the plateau with quite a few vultures. After the pass, the descent is in the shade until you reach the quarry, where semi-trailers really spoil the end of the hike. I climbed back up slightly above the quarry road to finish, but the path keeps going up and down, which is not great!

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FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with very few people except on the Rocher du Caire, where people arrive from the car park at the Bouvier farm.
A varied hike with a fairly easy climb and very safe (cables in very good condition, ladders, steps); nevertheless, you need to be careful and follow the yellow markings (very visible) and/or your GPS.
There are many vultures around the rock and along the ridge.
The descent is pleasant. Don't miss the Saint Michel chapel.
I can confirm that a municipal by-law prohibits descent between points 2 and 1.
Avoid this hike in hot weather, especially on the ridge.

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User 12726897
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Of course I agree with the enthusiasm expressed in the previous reviews. I might add that the return journey is fairly long, with some substantial climbs (whereas you might naively expect it to be all downhill), and the end includes a very steep descent to Rémuzat.

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BG30
BG30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice hike. As others have already said, the climb is a little physical and technical, but it's not a problem if you take your time and stay alert. The trail offers beautiful views of the southern Drôme countryside. Vultures can sometimes be seen at close quarters. The path back to Rémuzat is a little hard on the knees (remember to bring walking sticks).

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ajcvf
ajcvf

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Markings between 3 + 5 a re voire ci non very beautiful hike personally I would qualify it in difficult cause important uneven and the technical passages (line of life and ladders it misses supports)

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NinaBlnd
NinaBlnd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, with a superb view at the top and lots of huge vultures!!!! Really magnificent, plan at least 1 hour up there to see them. The VR track is perfect, as are the markings.
Be careful though, the climb is quite steep with some technical areas (lifeline, ladders, etc.), so make sure you have your hands free and reinforced gloves (if you're used to it, nothing too problematic, rest assured). ATTENTION: you're only at your limit if it's raining recently: the technical part slips a lot, so I recommend using a harness in such cases.

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domdu39
domdu39

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike to do if you're ever in Rémuzat. Good shoes are essential! The first part up to the Caire rock is quite physical because of the difference in altitude and the technical sections where you have to be careful and use the safety cables. There are metal steps where support is lacking to make it easier to pass. Plan to arrive at the cross before midday to watch the ballet of vultures taking advantage of the updrafts. The path along the crest is splendid; the vultures are still there, but this time they are below us and it's great to be able to admire them flying above us. The return via the Col de Saint May is quite long but not difficult apart from the gully in wet weather. The author's GPX track is good up to the col de st May where I followed the signs and descended more directly through the ravine following the PR (in purple on the IGN map). There has been a recent change near the quarry, the markings take us on a new parallel path to avoid taking the quarry road, which is now closed to hikers. You can follow the GPX track again from the point the author calls a track bend, following the GR as far as Rémuzat.
The maison des vautours in Rémuzat is currently closed for renovation, but I hear it will be a great place to visit.

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Sidonie L
Sidonie L

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful ride 🤩. Thank you so much!
We set off early given the forecast temperatures and the climb is sheltered from the sun. The climb is accessible, motivating and varied (ladders, ropes,...). We even came across a chamois skeleton (?). At the cross, the sight of vultures was impressive, and we couldn't get enough of it.
At the finish, we had a refreshing dip in the waters of the Eygue, a real treat! We took a little longer because of the stops.

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barbouze92
barbouze92

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike, taking you through a variety of landscapes.
The first part is not really difficult, but requires care and concentration, and is not recommended for those prone to vertigo! There are a number of high places with fairly narrow ledges.
When we reached the cross, there were lots of people coming from the car park, but we continued to see vultures as we made our way along the ridge to point 3. We also saw crows.
Note that the sharp bend to the right after point 3 seemed to take place a little before the trail on the app. A very nice trail in an undergrowth at that point, by the way!

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Marius26
Marius26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The ascent of the cliffs is very well signposted, but it's not as simple as the description says: "without any danger" may not be the right wording, but "proceed with caution and always follow the signs" seems more appropriate. Between the summit of Le Caire and the pass, the view is magnificent but the path climbs constantly and is very long.
On the way back, from point 7, we followed the GRP trail, which seemed to make more sense than joining the road.

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Lericou
Lericou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the circuit with the handrails and ladder slows progress, but the vulture nest in the cliff allows you to take your time between 2 climbs. The observer is relatively close to the nest. This first part is "physical" and the slope is steep. Once on the plateau, the birds fly above you... The rest of the walk is fairly long (towards the end of the plateau and back under the cliff to the starting point) and represents around 70 to 80% of the route.
The route is one-way.

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MamieCalou
MamieCalou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a very nice hike, with the added bonus of being accompanied by vultures. However, I don't think the "medium" level of difficulty is appropriate, given the physically demanding cliff section with average gradients of over 40% for more than 700 metres. In my opinion, this section should only be used by people in good physical condition. A "difficult" classification would mean that this route would not be suggested to average hikers. Personally, I wouldn't take a group up this cliff, or only experienced hikers.

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