The old farms - Forêt de Saoû

de fr

This walk will take you in the footsteps of the farming heritage of the Saoû Forest. The walk begins along the hay meadows at the foot of the forest. You will then pass close to the ruins of Raillon and Fuoc, remnants of the many farms at the foot of the forest. This walk is suitable for all-terrain pushchairs.
Dogs must be kept on a lead.

Details

n°2308883
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.45 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 233 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 233 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,555 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,306 ft
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Photos

The old Fuoc farm
The old Raillon farm

Description of the walk

Park at the Sables Blancs car park (on the D136 from Saou).

(S/E) On leaving the car park, turn left then cross the road towards the metal barrier to reach the Les Sables Blancs signpost. Continue towards a second signpost, La Prade.

(1) From there, follow the second track on the left towards Raillon.
Pass by the ruins of Raillon Farm at the Virage Raillon signpost.

(2) Follow the signs for Ferme Fuoc to the left. You will arrive in front of Ferme Fuoc.
Take care not to enter the ruins due to the risk of falling rocks.

(3) From here, head down the dirt track to the left. There are shaded areas here where you can take a short, refreshing break. At the junction, turn right, following the orange horse riding signs. You will reach another crossroads.

(4) At the Quatre Chemins crossroads, continue left again along the wide path. At the Les Abeilles signpost, continue towards La Prade then return to the starting crossroads.

(1) Head right towards the Les Sables Blancs signpost and return to the car park by following the tarmac road up to the left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,371 ft - Les Sables Blancs car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.06 - alt. 1,365 ft - La Prade signpost
  3. 2 : mi 0.85 - alt. 1,552 ft - Raillon Turn Signpost
  4. 3 : mi 1.16 - alt. 1,506 ft - Fuoc Farm (alt. 460m)
  5. 4 : mi 1.47 - alt. 1,332 ft - Croisement des Quatre Chemins
  6. S/E : mi 2.45 - alt. 1,371 ft - Les Sables Blancs car park

Notes

Please do not enter the ruins due to the risk of falling rocks

It is strongly recommended that you take IGN map no. 3138OT with you. Hikers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency number: 18 or 112.
Information from the Val de Drôme Tourist Office, Saoû branch: 04 75 76 01 72 / tourisme@val-de-drome.fr / www.valleedeladrome.com
Departmental Sensitive Natural Areas: 04 75 79 27 21 / environnement@ladrome.fr / www.ladrome.fr/ens-foret-de-saou

Worth a visit

The Saoû Forest:
Acquired under the Sensitive Natural Areas policy, the Saoû Forest is the largest property in the Drôme department (2,500 ha). Designated a ‘listed site’ in 1942 and recognised as being of European interest under the Natura 2000 scheme, it is managed according to the principles of sustainable development in consultation with local stakeholders.

An agricultural heritage that endures:
At the start ofthe 20th century, there were around thirty farms scattered across the syncline, home to 130 inhabitants. There was even a school in the heart of the forest. The forest is still managed, but in a sustainable manner.
Near the Raillon ruins, you will notice a truffle farm. Its operation is entrusted to a truffle farmer under a concession agreement.
You will then come across an area of so-called ‘game’ cultivation. Cultivated in accordance with organic farming standards, these plantations are managed by the ACCA (Association Communale de Chasse Agrée) of Saoû. The aim is to keep wildlife, particularly wild boar, within the site to prevent damage to surrounding crops.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Laurette
Laurette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk.

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Lia
Lia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A great walk with the children, between sun and shade. Easy, even in very hot weather.

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Francine84
Francine84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed this short loop in the morning to stretch our legs. Afterwards, we had a snack in the village to enjoy the winter vegetable fair. No one on the loop, but the fair was packed.
Having walked in the area at other times of the year, I'll remember to avoid returning between November and February: the sun hardly gets above the southern ridge of the Synclinal, so there's a lot of shade and humidity. But it's still just as beautiful.

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ludof
ludof

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, almost flat walk, taking less than an hour at a leisurely pace. First part shaded, return (from 4) in the open.

Lovely views of the small and large Pomerolle villages.

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miketrain26
miketrain26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, pleasant and varied walk

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boninmi
boninmi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Lots of people in the Saou forest, but the route itself is quiet.
A very pleasant little hike.

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Tristan Corbel
Tristan Corbel
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, pleasant walk to discover two old farms, as the title suggests, as well as the Vercors horses of Barraquand!

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Pierre2629
Pierre2629
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk for a family with children in fine weather. Good shade and discovery of wild flowers.
To be done again with places to have a snack on the grass.

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Département de la Drôme
Département de la Drôme
• Edited:

Thank you for your comment, which helps us to improve the quality of our tours.
Have a nice day,
The Nature Sports Centre.

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fandemaubec
fandemaubec
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A longer version, in the second half of the walk, could be proposed. A very pleasant walk. You can even see deer!

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