The millstones and oppidum at Bagnols-en-Forêt

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This short hike takes you to an old millstone quarry and a prehistoric settlement with remarkable views.

Technical sheet

n°139032
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 182 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 181 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 419 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 257 m
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Photos

The squirrel's eye
You're almost there!
Oppidum
Grinding mill

Description of the walk

Start and finish at the new cemetery in Bagnols-en-Forêt.

(S) Turn left onto the Piste du Petit Roc and follow it for about 1 km (south-east).

(1) Turn right towards the Col de la Pierre du Coucou (south).

(2) Continue right on a small path marked in white and red (GR®51) through the rocks on a very steep climb. At the top, don't hesitate to leave the path to discover several millstones carved into the rock. Then continue northwest on the GR® trail.

(3) Head right (north) to discover a prehistoric oppidum and enjoy the view of the Var hinterland and Bagnols-en-Forêt. Go back to the main trail, take it on the right, then continue through the red rocks to descend and reach a trail junction.

(4) Leave theGR® and take the path on the right to reach the cemetery.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 260 m - New cemetery in Bagnols-en-Forêt
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 291 m - Les Cigarières, fork in the path
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 345 m - Junction with the GR51 - Col Pierre à Coucou
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 419 m - Return trip to the oppidum
  5. 4 : km 3.21 - alt. 401 m - At elevation 401, leave the GR®
  6. S/E : km 4.2 - alt. 260 m - New cemetery in Bagnols-en-Forêt

Practical information

Walking shoes or good trainers are essential, as the paths are quite rocky. Take water with you, as it's a steep climb.

In the nearby area

Admire the views, as this hike overlooks the region.

 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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 41 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
barni
barni

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Not recommended for children under 6 years old as part of the route climbs up a path with large stones.

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PhilRS
PhilRS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant walk in February.

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

For the more adventurous, from the oppidum and after admiring the millstones, you can reach the Col de la Pierre du Coucou. From this crossroads, there is a well-marked trail leading to the Pic de la Gardiette and its menhir.
Beautiful view. Very pleasant place for a picnic.
The return journey can be made via the Petit Roc trail to admire Bagnols en Forêt.
The entire tour is 11 km long with an elevation gain of 360 m

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peskado
peskado

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk with superb unobstructed views in places. There are a few tricky sections with small rocks, so it is advisable to wear good walking shoes.

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Kti.g
Kti.g

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely hike, but some sections are difficult for average hikers

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richardson
richardson
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good hike, but poorly formatted description. The view is magnificent. Be careful on the way back: at the end of the hike, follow the path on the right marked by a blue cross on a tree, which will take you to the village

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Armand36
Armand36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lots of visitors but not crowded.

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katevent
katevent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice little hike!
Alone in the world :-) and beautiful views!

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Johnny-43
Johnny-43

I didn't go on the walk on 24 May, but on the 18th.

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Johnny-43
Johnny-43
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I saw some old millstones and an ancient oppidum. One downside: the path to take is not red and white, but blue and yellow.

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FOUCXY83
FOUCXY83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice hike.

It seems that the markings on the section of the GR trail have changed from white and red to yellow and blue
There is also a new route marked out by young people that allows you to climb up to the oppidum before the markings on the map and return to the GR.

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bcaeric
bcaeric

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Don't look for the red and white route, but the blue one. It takes you from the cemetery up to the intersection of trails, where you can loop back to cross the fortress and the oppidum. The views from the high points are spectacular

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damien67560
damien67560

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good.
It would have been nice to have a slightly more detailed description of the mill and the opidium...

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toledid
toledid

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A quick note for newbies like us who might be unsure.
When returning from the oppidum, take the path on the right.
After a while, we felt like we were going in the wrong direction (our doubts were heightened by the fact that the path seemed very long). But no, we were on the right track!
We then arrived at a fork in the path and took the path on the right, which I assume is the Ravin des Cigarières. There are no signs (large yellow, red and blue crosses). Why? We don't understand.
But no problem, we made it back to where we started.

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