Montagne de Saint-Maurice

On the border between Baronnies and Diois, Saint-Maurice is famous for its chapel and ridges. There is a beautiful view to the north with the forest of Saoû, the Trois Becs at Roche Colombe, the Grand Delmas and the Couspeau mountain in the background, and the Lance mountain to the south.

Details

1712085
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 372 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 367 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 931 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 627 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts at Col du Pertuis, at the junction of the D538 road between Dieulefit and Bourdeaux and the D110 towards Félines-sur-Rimandoule. Park along the road or on the dirt track on the right that leads to a park, without obstructing the passage.

(S/E) The trail starts just after the crossroads towards Félines-sur-Rimandoule (almost opposite the dirt track) in a small pine forest. You will reach a clearly visible fork in the path with a small cairn.

(1) Turn right and continue climbing steadily on the north-facing side. Follow the well-marked trail and, as you climb, cross through a small pine forest and then a beech forest. Towards the end, the path crosses through boxwood before arriving under the rocks of the chapel. Continue to the end of the rocks, then turn left and climb to reach the chapel.

(2) Continue along the path southwards into the woods. This leads to a track (Carrefour des Trois Pins).

(3) Turn right and follow the track along the ridge to the pylons.

(4) After enjoying the view, turn around and return to the chapel crossroads (Carrefour des Trois Pins).

(3) Continue along the track, which begins to descend slightly, until you reach a wide bend to the right.

(5) Take the path that climbs towards the ridge and, once there, turn right. After a few metres, join a path that descends to the left. This fork marks the start of the descent to the Col du Pertuis.
Before starting the descent, continue straight ahead for about 100 metres until you reach a viewpoint on a rock to the left of the path.

(6) Return to the previous fork and turn right at the descent. The path enters the boxwood trees and then passes under a rock characterised by a small round cavity at its base. The descent is on the slope offering a view of the castle and church of the commune of Comps.

(1) At the cairn, turn right to return to the Col du Pertuis (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 627 m - Crossroads of the D538 and D110 roads - Col du Pertuis (627m)
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 671 m - At the Y-junction, turn right.
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 911 m - Chapel of Saint-Maurice
  4. 3 : km 1.31 - alt. 903 m - Crossroads, on the right
  5. 4 : km 2.53 - alt. 918 m - Pylons
  6. 5 : km 4.29 - alt. 915 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.47 - alt. 911 m - Viewpoint
  8. S/E : km 5.45 - alt. 627 m - Crossroads of the D538 and D110 roads

Notes

Bring water.
In wet weather, the path can be slippery.
On the Comps side, the trail is steep and the stones roll underfoot, so good shoes and walking sticks will provide comfort and safety during the descent.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
jmcombe
jmcombe

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views from the top, both at the chapel and the antennas.
Not very interesting if the weather is not clear. The climb and descent are tough and require sure footing, walking sticks and caution if it has rained recently. Parking has become (temporarily?) a bit complicated, as piles of earth prevent you from parking on the side of the road, but we found a spot further away after a few wrong turns.

The big downside is following the route. We had a GPS, which allowed us to navigate by sight in certain places, especially on the way up and a little on the way down. We followed the GPS for point 1 and then the climb, then from 2 to the chapel (even though we knew where it was on the map) and at point 5 we couldn't find the path on the left, but as another review points out, at the "La combe" point, there is a path on the left and when you reach the ridge, turn right. This path is very clear and visible on the map. Without a GPS, it's tricky.

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Xav26D
Xav26D

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views at the summit (at the chapel and point 6).
After the antennas, I recommend descending via the Pig Trail and then taking the path up the valley to reach points 5 and 6.

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Lavandine 26
Lavandine 26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. As indicated, the climb is very steep and slippery at this time of year (leaves, patches of snow and wet, slippery ground), but I went knowing this. The panorama is splendid and the views on both sides are a feast for the eyes. The path down is easy to find if you follow the description carefully. Be sure to turn right on the ridge and then take the path on the left 10 metres further on. Do not go towards the wooden mushrooms. The description is spot on!

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randoSL
randoSL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the climb is steep until just before the chapel, and slippery in winter with dead leaves.
But you'll be rewarded when you reach the chapel... with a splendid panorama and a "vertiginous" drop.
Thirty metres after the chapel, along the cliff, behind a rock: a magnificent spot for a snack!
As we did another walk that day, we didn't go to the antennas (lack of time).
Quick return via the circular route, we had a bit of trouble finding the path on the left at point 5: the markings had been partially erased. It is directly opposite the end of the GR or PR at the path you take when coming from the chapel.
Return via a steep descent.

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joho
joho

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike. At the highest point of the antennas, with a bit of luck you can see a pair of golden eagles nesting in the cliffs (their presence is indicated on a sign warning hang gliders not to approach).

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Agnès Marguerite
Agnès Marguerite

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, with different forests to cross. Beautiful views at the St Maurice Chapel.
Pleasant trails to walk on.
Thank you for sharing.

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MJSadoff
MJSadoff

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent location. Please note that the middle section joins well-established trails. After the antennas (pylons), join the trail for the descent at the "La Combe" post.

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Mouette rieuse
Mouette rieuse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Once you arrive at the chapel, the route to the pylons is not particularly interesting, as they spoil the landscape somewhat. It is better to stop near the chapel and then, on the way back, go to the intersection of the three pine trees and turn left, following the signs for the route.

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joel555
joel555
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, invigorating walk, with a good climb in the first part!
A very pretty hike, it's an efficient shortcut to reach the chapel of St Maurice. I knew the route through the valley from Dieulefit, as well as the route along the ridges, but not this one, which also allows you to do a circular hike!

I followed the advice of the Monitodemontana, and the poles with spikes were not superfluous, as the wet earthy slopes and rocks were slippery.

I followed the GPX track on my GPS, which meant I didn't have to hesitate at certain possible intersections during the climb (old markings in red paint).

The climb is rewarded by the arrival at the chapel, then after a very "rolling" route, you reach the pylons and their magnificent panoramas. Also worth noting is the beautiful view from checkpoint No. 6 on the way back!

A big thank you to Denis26 for creating this hike and helping us discover this trail!

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Monitodemontana
Monitodemontana

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike on a mistral day, so it was very windy.
The wet climb was slippery in places. I had taken my hiking poles, which provided good support on both the ascent and descent.
Superb view at the summit.

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