Trou du Duc

Discover a multi-faceted trail. A flat start along a stream, followed by the cliffs and the Trou du Duc. Pass through the forest and discover 2 historic sites: the Gallo-Roman site and the Monument du Maquis. Return through the vineyards.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 329 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 325 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 553 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 326 m

Photos

Description of the walk

First of all, please have an IGN map or GPS with you before taking this trail. Indeed, this trail is made up of paths marked Red and Blue, then unmarked, then Yellow...

(S/E) Start from the Arcenant village hall car park, Rue de Beaune. Follow this street up to the village, turn left at the junction, then left into Chemin de la Source. Follow this quiet path alongside the Raccordon stream.

(1) Take the path on your right between the trees, marked Blue and Pink and called "Sentier Voituret". Be careful not to take the wrong path here, as there are many possible paths leading from this clearing to a small "clearing" where the Doua fountain is located.

(2) After about 500m, you'll climb up a path on your right (marked Blue and Pink), you'll arrive above the cliffs, continue to the Trou du Duc, still following the signs. The entrance to the Trou du Duc is not clearly visible; as you approach the cliffs, you'll see the small platform which, by lifting the plate, will allow you to descend into the Trou du Duc cave (optional). The hole is on your left, just before you leave the cliffs. The view is magnificent.

(3) Then follow the blue and pink path down into the valley to a crossroads.

(4) Leave the markings and take the left-hand path (where there's a cross).
The path then climbs a little for about 500m, follow the main path, you'll come to a junction - you should always be taking the main path (the one that goes off slightly to the left). Pass a bend to the left, then one to the right, and follow along the forest and a clearing.

(5) At the end of this clearing, turn right, then immediately after, at the crossroads where you'll find the GR®, take the left-hand path (be very careful here, don't follow the GR®). You then continue on the main path, taking neither the right nor the left-hand paths at the next junctions (look carefully on your map at this point for the right path). The Gallo-Roman site will be signposted after a while (approx. 1km).

(6) Follow the signs to the left. Take a break at this archaeological site.

(7) Then take the path at the bottom of the Gallo-Roman site on the right, and follow it in the direction of the Maquis, which is signposted at the beginning. Even if the Maquis is no longer signposted (damaged sign?), follow the path back down into the valley to the foot of the Maquis.
Then continue on the same path up the valley.

(8) At the top, take the first well-marked path on your left. At the next crossroads, several paths are indicated. Take the one on the right and follow it.

(9) At the next crossroads, turn left and you'll come to the viewpoint indicator. Follow this white path back to the village on Rue du Vieux Puits. At the end, turn right and then right again to reach the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 328 m - Arcenant village hall
  2. 1 : km 1.13 - alt. 339 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.64 - alt. 362 m - Right uphill
  4. 3 : km 2.42 - alt. 489 m - Trou du Duc
  5. 4 : km 3.26 - alt. 484 m - To the left
  6. 5 : km 4.04 - alt. 546 m - Glade: at the end on the right
  7. 6 : km 4.99 - alt. 519 m - Gallo-Roman site
  8. 7 : km 5.65 - alt. 416 m - To the right
  9. 8 : km 6.05 - alt. 482 m - To the left
  10. 9 : km 7.52 - alt. 446 m - To the left
  11. S/E : km 9.07 - alt. 328 m - Arcenant village hall

Practical information

A waterhole at the start as you follow the Raccordon stream.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 68 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Gilreille
Gilreille

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice tour.

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Damien Bornel Gasser
Damien Bornel Gasser

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk,
Lots of shady areas on this route, punctuated by remarkable points to discover. The water stops added a touch of freshness and the refreshment points were much appreciated by our 🐕‍🦺.
We did this walk as a family with our 12-year-old daughter without any problems.
I'd recommend it (GPS tracking of the route on the app is essential, in my opinion).

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alain21
alain21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

great route, with some special points highlighted very well

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FollowMe_web
FollowMe_web

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A fine route I completed on Sunday 12 March with my 10-year-old son.
A few technical sections (uneven + slippery ground) but still manageable.
There were quite a few trees in the way, which you had to pass over, under or around whenever possible.
The duke's hole is just impossible to miss! Impressive and ... vertiginous.
The other points of interest (Gallo-Roman ruins, scrubland) mean that the walk is not monotonous.

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VTRP
VTRP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pretty, shady and varied walk, with many points of interest (landscapes, geology, archaeology and history...). A few passages towards the Trou du Duc require attention, particularly with children, but nothing is really challenging, at least in dry weather. After the Monument du Maquis, the route is less interesting, especially as the viewpoint over the village is almost non-existent now that the trees have grown over: so, if you're reluctant to tackle the climb after the Maquis, you can head back down to the village via the Puits Groseille and the source de la Doua. But this shortens the route a little...

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odber0902
odber0902

We were unable to make the hike due to lack of time and the weatherCOPY00

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MTPAULY
MTPAULY

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant, shady walk. Most of the route is in woodland. No viewpoints or surprising places apart from the trou du duc, which provides a little diversion. Suitable if you feel like walking in the forest.

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Robin.
Robin.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk in dry weather. A steep climb of 500m before the cliffs and another slightly steep climb after the Maquis, just take your time.
Trou du Duc well signposted, nice viewpoint. Not a very popular walk. Can be done with a medium-sized dog without difficulty.

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masson21
masson21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route is almost impossible to complete without the GSS application (too brief a description).
The start of the walk along the stream is very pleasant.
Access to the duke's hole is rather poorly signposted - I didn't see it.
Enjoy the walk

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Mylène1301
Mylène1301

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I did this walk on a sunny Sunday, and the route was not at all busy (a single person at the start of the route, and a family towards the Gallo-Roman site).

At this time of year, I saw signs for "silent hunting, stalking" which take effect from 1 June (no end date given), so take care in the forest part of the route.

Varied landscape, the first part of the route is uphill with a magnificent rocky landscape, the second part is more forest.

A pleasant course to play in summer, only the first part is in the sun, the rest is in undergrowth.

Access to the trou du duc is well signposted and there's a lovely view from the top.

Thanks to the person who shared this hike with me, it was very pleasant and doable despite my poor level of fitness!

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Viviane03
Viviane03

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nothing more to say to the previous comments.
Lovely hike and, in hot weather, the pleasure of cooling off in the cave!
Beautiful views
thank you

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tranbert21
tranbert21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk in an area I knew little about. Super

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Bofed
Bofed

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice varied walk with different points of interest. It's important to follow the description on the map and follow the tracks.

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marieofavelier
marieofavelier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It would be advisable to specify that the climb up to the trou du duc, as well as being beautiful, can be difficult in wet weather.
Very nice hike

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Caroline T.
Caroline T.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very interesting walk with so many different sites to discover and magnificent views! It's very well signposted except (as indicated in the description) between points 4 and 5, but you can still find your way around (when you reach the clearing, turn right and there's a stone on the ground with the signposting).

Watch out for the two beautiful climbs at point 2 and the other before point 8, it's quite challenging! (Thanks to my dogs who pulled me 😂)

I'd like to point out that Mother Nature has reclaimed her rights just before you reach the top of the cliff, so you have to duck down and look out for the markings as the path is almost covered.

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