Les Trois Becs and the Saou Forest

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Like a ship, the massif rises at the foot of the Vercors and offers a panoramic view over the Drôme and Rhône valleys. In fine weather, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and, on the opposite side, the Cévennes. Several moments of contemplation are needed to take in these landscapes.

⚠️ The route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are off-limits between 15 May and 15 July. Specific signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide walkers; see here.

⚠️ Between 1 July and 15 September, Prefectural Order DDT-SEF-2026-0176 of 4 June 2026 concerning the temporary restriction of access to the Saoû forest and the Ambel plateau in the event of a fire risk, which is assessed daily. A map is published every evening (around 5.30 pm) for the following day.

Details

n°598
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.61 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 10h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,443 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,420 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,167 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,680 ft
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Photos

Panorama from Le Veyou
Roche Courbe from Le Signal
in good company
La Laveuse

Description of the walk

Leave your car at the Col des Réchats car park

(S/E) Follow theGR®®9southwards to reach the ruins of La Grange Vieille.

(1) You’ll cross theGR®®9variant. Carry straight on; 700 metres further on, you’ll come to another junction with a path joining from the left.

(2) Continue straight on along theGR®®9, marked in red and white, and carry on to the Pas de la Motte.

(3) Turn right towards the east, leaving a path on your right that heads downhill, and continue along the ridge to the Trou de la Laveuse. (4) 1,376 m. This is a rock with a hole through it, offering a view of the village of Saillans to the north.

(4) 100 m further down, leave theGR®®9for a signposted path leading successively to the peaks known as the Trois Becs, in the following order:

(5) La Roche Courbe (or La Pelle) 1,549 m,

(6) Le Signal (1,559m),

(7) Le Veyou (1,589 m).
Then descend to the Pas de Siara (1,295m).

(8) Continue along the ridge to the Pas de Floréa.

(9) Head towards the Bois Vert sheepfold to rejoin theGR®®9. Turn right onto it to cross the path coming from the Pas de Siara at the Virage du Pré de l’Âne.

(10) Stay on theGR®®9to the left until you reach the junction with the path leading to the Refuge des Girards.

(11) Take this track to the left to reach the Refuge.

(12) Continue straight on. The track turns left and crosses a path.

(13) Take this path northwards to reach the Pas de la Motte, after skirting the Saou Forest.

(3) Join theGR®®9again – the route you took on the way up – and head back via the junction you passed on the way there.

(2) Follow the outbound route in the opposite direction to return to the Col des Rechats car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,680 ft - Col des Rechats car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.64 - alt. 2,277 ft - Junction with the GR9 Alternative route.
  3. 2 : mi 0.91 - alt. 2,572 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 3,802 ft - Pas de La Motte
  5. 4 : mi 3.01 - alt. 4,495 ft - Trou de la Laveuse
  6. 5 : mi 3.65 - alt. 4,816 ft - Roche Courbe
  7. 6 : mi 4.15 - alt. 5,036 ft - Signal (le)
  8. 7 : mi 4.63 - alt. 5,131 ft - Veyou (le)
  9. 8 : mi 5.21 - alt. 4,239 ft - No Siara
  10. 9 : mi 5.95 - alt. 4,124 ft - Pas de Floréal
  11. 10 : mi 6.89 - alt. 3,980 ft - Junction at the Virage du Pré de l’Ane. Towards the - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  12. 11 : mi 7.82 - alt. 3,930 ft - Junction where you must leave the GR9
  13. 12 : mi 8.47 - alt. 3,907 ft - Refuge des Girards
  14. 13 : mi 9.13 - alt. 3,681 ft - Junction. Turn right.
  15. S/E : mi 11.61 - alt. 1,693 ft - Col des Rechats car park

Notes

Hiking boots are strongly recommended. Please note: in sunny weather, there are no trees on the ridge trail. This trail has been reinforced in certain sections to limit erosion.

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 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Département de la Drôme
Département de la Drôme

Hello,

The Saoû Forest is a listed site and a Sensitive Natural Area; camping is permitted there from 7 pm to 8 am only. Suitable camping spots should be sought within 100 metres of the mountain huts.
For further information, you can find the rules and regulations on the Drôme Department website: https://www.ladrome.fr/mon-quotidien/environnement/les-espaces-naturels-sensibles/

Enjoy your hike!

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User 29185892

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

If you’d like to camp, the best spot is 100 metres before the refuge – which was also open when I visited in May 2026 – or just before the 3 Becs route. However, camping is not permitted on the 3 Becs. And I strongly recommend using walking poles for the section you pass on the way there and back; the slope is really steep with a path covered in dead leaves and stones.

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Chavezdominguez
Chavezdominguez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the cool, shady Saou forest – a real pleasure. At times, the climbs were a little steep and required a lot of stamina. Then, when we reached the magnificent summit, what a wonderful reward. We forgot everything. A fantastic hike. WARNING: do not go from 8 to 9, as a prohibition sign has been put up. People have had a hard time, with nettles, etc., dangerous in places and unable to see the path. We cut across 8 towards 10. For the return trip, be careful going down, because it's very difficult... we should have taken another route from 2 to make it easier to get back to the car park. Honestly, it was fantastic... a real treat, we had a great time... thank you... go for it... you won't regret it... shade, fresh air and panoramic views were there...

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VaninaMJ
VaninaMJ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful hike!!!! 🤩
No particular technical difficulties. Given the elevation gain, walking poles are a must 😊. A short hike in terms of distance, which allows you to take the time to admire the breathtaking panoramic views ⛰️!!! One thing to note: at the first viewpoint, to reach the Pas de Siara, take the climb up the rocky ridge (which is not signposted), and you will soon find a path (not visible from below). Do not venture onto the path behind the viewpoint (there is no yellow cross, but it would be wise to mark one), as this path runs along the cliff edge and is not part of the hike. Enjoy your walk, everyone! 🥾🎒

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Broud
Broud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Best done outside peak times and in good weather to enjoy the scenery

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Broud
Broud

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Not ideal weather for enjoying the scenery

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Fred et Sand
Fred et Sand

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with views of both the Rhône Valley and the Vercors.

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louguit
louguit

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
I didn't use the ".gpx" track because I know the area. However, as I didn't use the ".gpx" track but the IGN 75000 map, after "Roche Rousse" at the edge of the woods, you have to go down into the valley to reach the track and the forest house. Do not take the grassy track on the right.
After the walk through the woods on the GR, which is great, especially when it's hot
Great walk.

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randonneeroro2018
randonneeroro2018

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, but a bit too crowded at Les 3 Becs.
We were lucky because it looked like rain and all the other hikers left, so we had this wonderful place to ourselves in the rain... Great!

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Ritalex
Ritalex

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely little loop, a complete change of scenery with a steep climb right from the start, sheltered from the sun.

Breathtakingly beautiful scenery at the top of the cliffs, mountainous landscapes, forests, large plateaus, meadows...
Stop three-quarters of the way around the loop at a refuge.

Unfortunately:
- we brought back about ten ticks as souvenirs...
- The end of the route follows the same path as at the start for about 5km

Alex & Cécile

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Paola34
Paola34

Yes, I did it in 7.5 hours for 22 km and 1,800 m of elevation gain. I didn't have GPS anymore, so I took the slope I had climbed at the beginning, descending it, because that was the part I knew and it was getting a bit late... And I didn't want to get lost... thanks for the reply. A very beautiful hike, I really enjoyed it. I'll do it again

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slinky
slinky ★

Hello Paola,

Everything is in the information sheet: the average duration is estimated at 9 hours and 5 minutes, walking at 3.5 km/h with short breaks.

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Paola34
Paola34

hello, what is the average duration of the hike, please?

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guillaume j
guillaume j

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb circuit completed in approximately 4 hours 20 minutes. the climb to the Pas de la Motte is steep, but the view at the top is beautiful. Long route along the ridges to the 3 Becs, which is magnificent, with breathtaking views! The return trip is much less interesting, along DFCI paths, which is a bit of a shame, but at least they are in the shade
A few comments on the description:
- 22 km circuit with 1,800 m elevation gain for me!
- at Pas de la Motte, the eastbound route is actually to the left, not the right.
- after Pas de Siara, I couldn't find the path along the ridge, but I did make it to Pas de Florea.

Be careful, this is a dangerous section and I would not recommend bringing children!

I highly recommend it!!!

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Ah, okay, so the route itself isn't the issue, since you started from a place that's off the circuit. And without any description from that place, you were lost and couldn't find the trail.

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