The cliffs of Beauvoir

Short hike through woods and fields in the Auxance valley.

Details

1629809
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 44 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 44 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 129 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 84 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the car park of the climbing site, at the foot of the Beauvoir water tower (municipality of Vouneuil-sous-Biard).

(S/E) At the foot of the cross, with your back to the car park, continue straight ahead along Chemin du Petit Beauvoir. Stay on this south-west facing path until you reach the section where it is surrounded by woods on the right and a large field on the left, then descends slightly while once again being surrounded by trees.

(1) There, turn right at the hairpin bend onto a path through the undergrowth that runs along a wall on your left, then follow the course of the Auxance. Stay on this path at the bottom of the valley, which passes a small spring on your right.
The path joins a wider track that descends to the left towards a tree plantation. Take this track to the right.

(2) The path joins a stone and white earth road, turn left. Pass the climbing spots on your right.
At the first fork, take the small path on the left closest to the Auxance. Follow this sometimes winding path through a small wood, then a small meadow and finally into a tree plantation. The path bends to the right to join a dirt road at a T-junction.

(3) Turn left at this junction and continue straight ahead.
At the fork, you can turn right or left; both paths rejoin shortly before the next crossroads.

(4) At the crossroads, take the path on the right and climb the hill.
At the top, continue along this path, ignoring the grassy path that branches off to the right. Follow the two bends to the right and then to the left.
Cross the tarmac road and continue straight ahead on the path that branches off slightly to the right.

(5) At the first crossroads, turn right. Once you reach the tarmac road in the residential area (Rue de Montauban), turn right and continue straight ahead to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 128 m - Car park at the climbing site, near the water tower
  2. 1 : km 1.09 - alt. 100 m - On the right, hairpin bend
  3. 2 : km 2.43 - alt. 93 m - Junction of stone and white earth road
  4. 3 : km 3.37 - alt. 91 m - Dirt road junction
  5. 4 : km 4.29 - alt. 86 m - Crossroads of several paths
  6. 5 : km 5.39 - alt. 108 m - Crossroads on the right after the road
  7. S/E : km 6.69 - alt. 128 m - Car park at the climbing site, near the water tower

Notes

No specific markings.
Muddy in wet weather.

Worth a visit

Several climbing spots on the cliffs along the Auxance.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 26564003

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The circuit is part of another route used by mountain bikes, which can be a bit dangerous in narrow areas as the bikes come along fast.
As is often the case, the trail is poorly maintained, which is a shame because it would otherwise be magnificent, especially in the sections along the water's edge.

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User 3629511

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful, shaded walk in the forest

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User 26564003

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lack of maintenance.
Many fallen trees obstruct the path.
Route changed but not indicated by Visiorando due to fallen trees.

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User 12903390
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hike. The setting is magnificent
However, between points 4 and 5, there are lots of brambles and it is practically impossible to get through. There is just a small passage created by previous hikers
Trousers are essential to avoid the brambles and nettles. But apart from this negative point, it's pure bliss

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nicole.l
nicole.l

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route through woods, along the banks of the Auxances and past cliffs (a few people were out for a stroll, which was great). Very little road, a short round trip to the entrance of the magnificent Château de Beauvoir.

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Mardelet
Mardelet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is definitely worth doing, even if it is a bit muddy on a sunny day.
It's easier with good footwear.
Watch out for brambles.

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Marieka
Marieka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy walk. A bit muddy in places, so bring boots or sturdy shoes.

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RVV
RVV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, peaceful walk with few other hikers

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Zialand
Zialand

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant and easy hiking loop, with excellent access to the Auxance River for dogs (which you will encounter in large numbers) and enthusiasts!

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Sabrina86
Sabrina86

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A short walk through the woods, pleasant when it's warm, but the second part of the route is a bit overgrown with brambles, so wear trousers.
Otherwise, there is regular access to the river, so it's great for walking the dog.

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Gatou045
Gatou045

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely family hike. Varied landscape and magnificent cliffs.

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h2l86
h2l86

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy route, very well marked with yellow triangles. Wild banks of the Auxance and pleasant path. Remarkable climbing site. The climb up to Pouzioux la Jarrie is surprising, with a beautiful view towards the heights of Buxerolles and the Larnay institution.

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MCLM64
MCLM64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike for the most part. The climbing spot is interesting when practised, even impressive.
The walk through the forest and along the Auxance river is very pleasant.
The very end of the route, which follows the road, spoils it a little.
This hike is suitable for families. It took us 2½ hours because we stopped a lot to enjoy the different places and, above all, to admire the strength and perseverance of the climbers.

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josely
josely

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, easy hike in a pleasant setting among flower-filled woods and riverside.
We met quite a few people, but the cliff site is popular with climbers, and it was Sunday.

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Odeladetout
Odeladetout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very good route with varied landscapes.
We did it in winter, but it must be nice to do again in spring when there are more leaves, or even in summer, as it is quite shady and close to the water.

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