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.

Details

n°139032
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 182 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 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

Notes

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

Worth a visit

Admire the views, as this hike overlooks the region.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on 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 42 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
PhilRS
PhilRS

An interesting walk, relatively easy.

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Tch01
Tch01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with a few tricky sections involving small rocks.
Stunning views, with mist in the valley – it was magnificent.

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barni
barni

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in February.

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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

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g5
g5
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Nov 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lots of visitors but not crowded.

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katevent
katevent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Mar 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

bcaeric
bcaeric

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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