Les Rochers des Rams

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

This hike does not offer much in terms of visual or historical interest. The only positive aspect is the fact that you get some significant exercise for 3 to 4 hours (only uphill and then only downhill).
Those who do not like rocky trails should refrain. Three-quarters of the route is on stone paths and you have to be careful not to slip on the stones that give way underfoot. The explanations between points 5 and 6 do not allow you to take the right path immediately, so you may find yourself on the second path on the right to cross the valley and reach the road. The descent then becomes more challenging and risky.
This is not an easy walk. Like others, I would describe it as moderate, as I humbly admit to having walked an extra 2 km because I did not understand the explanations provided.

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

If you have a GPS, an up-to-date IGN map, instructions, signposts, and possibly a compass, and you still get lost, it's because you want to scare yourself...
There is one small caveat, however. At a distance of 4092m (the highest point of the Viso slope, longitude: 5.20334 and latitude: 44.16351), the coordinates (of the highest point of the slope on the IGN map: longitude: 5.202.30 and latitude: 44.16331) should correspond to the actual route on the map and the reality on the ground.
Then, at a distance of 4854m (which is the lowest point of the Viso slope..., Long: 5.20057 and Lat: 44.16652), should be at the coordinates (from the low point on the IGN map: Long: 5.19825 and Lat: 44.16447) corresponding to the actual route on the map and the reality on the ground.
Between these two points modified in xy, the trail really exists!

If you take the current Visorando route, good luck, it's nothing but scrub and bushes... with the added slope.
Note that the GR91B follows the same route as the one proposed by Viso... which was inspired by the other...!!

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Date of your route : Jul 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It is mainly the descent that causes knee pain, and walking poles are very useful at this point.

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Date of your route : Apr 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Very beautiful views indeed. On the other hand, it's a continuous climb, then a continuous descent, so I found the climb rather difficult, and for me personally, I would rate this hike as "moderate" in difficulty.
You need to be in good shape to avoid suffering too much!
As for the route, no worries, although I don't use a GPS (I find it more in tune with nature, but that's just my opinion!). The map and directions are sufficient, and the markings are helpful.
In summary, it's not my favourite hike, but it's certainly interesting.

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Hello,

@freddy750

I think you misunderstood my answer.

It states three facts and one conclusion:

The facts:

1. The hike took place in June 2018.
2. It was a short hike done in the morning (nicknamed a leisurely morning stroll; if it had been done in the afternoon, I would have nicknamed it a short post-lunch stroll).
3. A paper IGN map was used.
4. An Etrex 30 GPS was used.

Result:

No orientation problems. 

As you can see, I am basing my comments on facts and nothing but facts.
There are no impressions, opinions or feelings...

However, your comment, " Even with my GPS, I still managed to get lost," particularly caught my attention, which is why, after stating the facts and results above, I asked you the following four questions:

1. What brand of GPS did you use?
2. What GPS map base did you use?
3. How accurate was the GPS (satellites)?
4. What was the GPS's deviation from the route?

Questions 3 and 4 allow me to determine whether the route is inaccurate or whether the GPS is inaccurate.
My sole objective is to improve the descriptive route of the hike.

So, as you can see, we are a million miles away from condescension, naivety or anything else.

Kind regards

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Hello,
You're very kind, Henri, and I appreciate your condescension... To quote you, "I didn't have any problems, and it was a nice, quiet morning stroll." So basically, everyone else is stupid?
1) If you reread the posts, several contributors mention the same problem, in case you didn't notice.
2) I've been hiking all over the world for 40 years with a compass, map or GPS, and I don't lecture anyone.
3) I have a Garmin Oregon 450 with a TOPO France v3 map and it works perfectly (I didn't have a map for this hike).
4) I brought up this issue in a spirit of friendliness, not to boost my ego.
Yours sincerely, Henri

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Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

Reliability of the description: Average

Did you have any problems with the description? If so, how can we improve it? Do you have any suggestions?

Reliability of the map route: Very disappointing

In addition, the markings are set back and there are no indications of changes in direction towards the GR91 B.

By "map route", we are not referring to the markings, but rather the accuracy of the route as it appears on the map in relation to the actual terrain.

Even with my GPS, I still managed to get lost.

Personally, I did this hike in June 2018 and had no problems finding my way using the IGN paper map and my Etrex 30 GPS. (It was a short, leisurely morning walk.)

What brand of GPS did you use?
Which GPS map base?
How accurate was the GPS (satellites)?
How far off course did the GPS indicate?

See you soon!

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Date of your route : Dec 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I can confirm that this is a superb hike with a surprising variety of landscapes... It's not always easy, with some difficult sections both downhill and uphill in places. Be careful between points 4 and 5 not to miss the GR 91B on the right, which descends into the Combe de Maleval. This is not indicated in the description: "The path winds along a ridge then plunges left into the Combe de Malaval." So it's actually to the right and not the left, otherwise you'll head towards BEDOIN further down. What's more, the markings are set back and there is no indication of a change of direction towards the GR91 B. Even with my GPS, I still managed to get lost. I'm a bit hesitant to take children, teenagers or pre-teens along, if at all. The descent into the Combe de Maleval and the climb from the Carrefour du Rocher du Midi to the Maison Forestière de Ramayette are far from a walk in the park.

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Date of your route : Jul 15, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with fantastic panoramic views, but not at all easy despite what is claimed. Not at all suitable for families and especially children, not in the slightest! Or else the little ones are likely to suffer greatly, really! It's more of a medium difficulty hike. You need to be in good shape and, above all, have very good, perfectly fitted high-top shoes, as the steep slopes at times can be hard on your toes, and the numerous rocks can be hard on your ankles... Bring a walking stick for some of the really challenging climbs, especially in the middle of the afternoon when it's hottest. There is little shade. Don't be fooled by the very easy start to the hike, because things get tougher later on.
The path on the right between points 4 and 5 towards Rocher du Midi is not necessarily easy to find and you tend to continue straight on towards Bédoin. Be careful! Take your time and look carefully at the markings. Don't forget that there are many places where there is no mobile phone reception, so check before you set off that your phone can access the cache, otherwise you won't be able to see any maps! And you might find yourself in Bédoin rather than on the way back.
Personally, I completed this hike in 2 hours and 25 minutes instead of the planned 3 hours and without any particular fatigue, despite being 54 years old and making numerous stops to check my position, but I am very athletic and of reasonable weight. Just before returning to Belvédère, beware of the vertiginous cliffs on the left side of the trail, because if you slip, you're guaranteed to take a serious fall or even die. So stay focused and cautious until the end. With children, take care at this point that they do not stray or take a wrong step while playing, as an accident could easily happen. But as with any hike, there is a risk that must be taken into consideration; this is not a Sunday stroll...

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The Rams Rock, a beautiful hike, well marked, beautiful views, a walk described as "easy" but that's without mentioning the descent into the Malaval valley... dangerous due to all the loose rocks. Then there's a steep climb back up to the starting point. You need to allow more time to complete this route. Significant elevation gain.
Best regards, Sylvie

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Date of your route : Nov 07, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike done in early November 2016. A very nice start from the viewpoint, no particular difficulty, the elevation gain is just spread out over the hike, it's almost all at once for the ascent and descent. In the end, 7 km for 450 metres of elevation gain each way.

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Starting in the afternoon, the hike is often in the woods, which is pleasant. However, part of it is in full sun, so bring a hat and sunscreen.

We were quite intrigued by the distance (7 km), the duration (3 hours for 7 km! ) and the difficulty rating: easy!?!
It's true that the elevation gain is over 400 metres, so we went out of curiosity.
A magnificent hike. We will do it again. I would reclassify the hike as moderate.
It was difficult for me, especially on the descents, as I am recovering from a triple malleolar fracture, but the view is magnificent.

We had some difficulty finding the forest track before the Prés-de-Michel car park. It is set back from the road. There is a large grassy area with no marked path before you reach this track. To find it: the car park is on the left of the road, the track is on the right, set back from the road in the bend, before you reach the car park, which you can still see. If you see a picnic area on your right, you've gone too far. The entrance to the forest just before it is what you're looking for. There you will find a signpost leading back to the viewpoint, so there must be a path (probably new and not marked on the map) that allows you to avoid taking the road.
It's true that when we arrived on the track on the left to go back up to the road (between (2) and (3)), we saw a yellow cross for a path that is on the map, but then also a cross for the track that takes us back up to the road (the one shown in the guidebook). We didn't see anything very clear about a path on the right, but that must be where it starts, only it's not very visible and there are no signposts. We'll pay attention to that on our next visit to this hike.

Best regards
Carla

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Hike on hold

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Date of your route : Sep 27, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk with a significant elevation gain and loss, both uphill and downhill, which may not be suitable for everyone.

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I agree with you about visual pollution.
but unfortunately they exist and can potentially cause confusion, hence the importance of having several methods at your disposal.
Be careful, using GPS, regardless of the quality of the track, does not replace the use of the good old map and compass.

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