The Three Rivers Trail starting from Bénonces

This trail allows you to discover the three rivers: the Tréfond, the Arodin and the Perna(z), the biodiversity of the site, and its geological and heritage riches, explained by six information panels.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 281 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 278 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 516 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 300 m

Description of the walk

In Bénonces, a dirt track to the right of the cemetery leads to the country car park and the start of the walk. Information board.

(S/E) Take the path to the left of the sign.

(1) Keep to your right and follow the main path downhill.

(2) The path turns right here, crossing a stream.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left.

(4) At the intersection, turn right.

(5) Walk along a small pond (fountain with fish). You will take the path on the right later on the return route.

(6) At the next intersection, turn right. Further on, rejoin a large path: you can turn left to admire a small gouille (small stretch of stagnant water) on the Ruisseau de Tréfond.

(7) Retrace your steps, follow the path on the left and cross the stream via the bridge. Further on, cross the main road and continue along the path opposite.

(8) Take a recent path on your left (not shown on the map, watch out for steps). At the old building, turn right onto the road and continue along it until you reach a small car park in a bend.

(9) Go down the path on the left. Keep to your left, ignoring the steep path on your right.

(10) Follow the Perna river and then the Arodin river on the wooden walkway, keeping to the main path. Near the vineyards, go up the dirt road on the left.

(11) Turn right at the intersection and, after a few hairpin bends, you will reach another intersection. Turn right here. You will come back to the intersection you passed on the way here.

(6) Turn right.

(5) At the basin (fountain), turn left onto the steep path, pass a basin with spring water. Follow the main path, then go up the Onglas road, cross the Rue Principale, and take the Montée de la Cure to arrive at the church.

(12) Continue on your right on Rue du Mollard, cross Rue Principale, go along the cemetery and you will find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 494 m - Rural car park by the cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 508 m - Small path on the left
  3. 2 : km 0.99 - alt. 506 m - Turn right
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 473 m - Road on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.56 - alt. 477 m - Road on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.88 - alt. 460 m - Public fountain
  7. 6 : km 3.08 - alt. 445 m - Common fork in the road for both directions
  8. 7 : km 4.15 - alt. 356 m - Petite Gouille
  9. 8 : km 5 - alt. 378 m - Small staircase for volunteers
  10. 9 : km 5.26 - alt. 339 m - On the left along the small car park
  11. 10 : km 5.69 - alt. 300 m - Confluence of the Arodin and the - Perna (rivière) - Affluent du Rhône
  12. 11 : km 6.37 - alt. 350 m - Intersection with Chemin
  13. 12 : km 8.74 - alt. 506 m - Church
  14. S/E : km 9.1 - alt. 502 m - Rural car park by the cemetery

Worth a visit

A farm selling goat's milk cheese.

There is a pond with a few goldfish at (5).

The Church of Saint Peter in Bénones.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
mathan
mathan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An excellent description of the route, which is very pleasant to follow. A variety of landscapes to enjoy. Plenty of wild garlic. Only the final descent before the climb up to Benonces is tricky (muddy sections).

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Héritier
Héritier

For me, the trail was very well marked and signposted, no chance of getting lost – a bucolic, pleasant hike with no difficulty.

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ANDRE Daniel
ANDRE Daniel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Taken on Sunday, 8 March 2026, in glorious spring weather, this bucolic route invited us to enjoy its beauty and daydream. The path is full of contrasts in vegetation and colours associated with it. Primroses and violets, along with the green of the young leaves on the trees, make up most of the soft palette of the wide path that takes us from the starting point to the village of Onglas. The forest below has a few snowdrops still in bloom, as well as marsh marigolds. Wild garlic grows there as ground cover. It will soon be in bloom, undoubtedly fragrant and spectacular. Along the Tréfond stream, we find ourselves in a fantastic setting created by mosses that have conquered every surface. The sun holds the magic wand of colours both on the river and its surroundings.
Sparkling! Then comes the uphill climb. Especially the section after point 8, with its wooden log steps.
This pretty circular loop was well worth the effort!
This passage justifies taking the path as suggested by the Visorando guidebook. The descent would be more difficult.

Daniel

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Héritier
Héritier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short but very pleasant, varied and interesting route. We didn't meet anyone, but word of mouth has made this hike very popular. It's best to park at the church in Bénonces, where there is plenty of space.

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User 27808407

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, well-marked route.

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Pierrotk10d
Pierrotk10d

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

i only covered part of the route because I extended it to 15.2 km with an elevation gain of 536 m. From Bénonces, I descended towards Chateland, following the suggested route to climb back up to the Golet du Mur via Le Tortolliet. Then, from Golet du Mur, I crossed the Bois d'Arella and descended to Onglas to return to Bénonces via the suggested route.
A quick note about parking. In front of the Bénonces cemetery, there are two parking spaces, one of which is reserved for disabled people. You have to take the unpaved track that runs along the cemetery wall to find the car park.

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thierry01randonnée
thierry01randonnée

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike without any particular difficulties. It allows you to discover the flora and fauna of the area with the help of explanatory panels as you follow a variety of paths (trails, roads, wide paths, footpaths, etc.). You will discover a variety of landscapes (woods, fields, villages and hamlets, vineyards, etc.).

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Pasu95
Pasu95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A magnificent route with a variety of attractions (including the beautiful village of Onglas with its bread oven, Bénonces and its beautiful houses).
Please note that the waterfall shown in some media presentations of this hike is not on the route!
Similarly, there are no specific signs to follow the route of this "three rivers hiking trail".
We followed the route on the Visorando app.
Access to the car park for the hike is via a gravel road.
There is a small error on a signpost in Onglas, but this is not a problem as Onglas is visible.

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User 1623842

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very detailed itinerary, which compensates for a clear lack of signposting. A map is essential if you are not using GPX tracking.
A very pleasant, varied route, mostly shaded. Basic hiking equipment is required, including walking shoes and two walking sticks, as there are many stony or slightly slippery slopes.
I recommend doing it in the opposite direction to the one suggested to avoid the steep climb at the end of the route

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User 27126044

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We went on a wonderful walk with friends to explore the Tréfond la Pernaz canyons in the middle of a heatwave, enjoying the cool air. We loved it!

The route offers a nice contrast between the mossy forest along the river—an ideal spot for a picnic—and the unobstructed views of the impressive cliffs.

The walk is accessible to all, but remember to wear closed shoes, as some sections are quite steep.

I highly recommend this refreshing getaway!

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User 12143628
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk on 10 August.
Beautiful paths and trails, very few roads. Some lovely views and much of the route is shaded.
Special mention for section 10 along the Perna and Arondin, then the vineyards, which are really lovely.
The car park at the start behind the cemetery is really convenient (no shade, though)

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papinou38
papinou38

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

trail taken on 24 July: the U-shaped circuit from the cemetery. Not easy to park there; the access slope is loose and the wheels don't grip. Once we reached the road to continue the exit towards the Luizet waterfall, which we knew well, unsurprisingly given the weather, a thin drizzle was falling
The next day, eager to see the rest of the circuit, we parked the car at the Luizet waterfall car park in the hamlet of Onglas. We asked someone for directions and, with the help of the IGN map, we descended towards the vineyards to follow the track towards the Tréfond stream, which we crossed via a bridge. A little further up, we crossed the road but didn't go much further as a storm was threatening. We returned by the same routemuch further. A storm is threatening, so we return by the same route
Overall, this route lacks signposts and directional posts. Without a map, it is impossible to find your way around
And also, on the signpost at the exit of Onglas, there is a false indication that says Onglas is 3 km away!

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