Piégon and the Giants’ hamlet

In the mountains of the Baronnies, imagine a lost hamlet inhabited by giants... Skeletons with very long shins were found in the crypt of the chapel. They are the source of the name of the locality.

Technical sheet

77370
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 466 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 464 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 809 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 344 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(1) From the Piégon communal hall car park, pass by the monumental sculpture. At the next junction go up left towards the chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Cadenet.

(2) Continue along a small road that passes under the ruins of the old village of Piégon and at the next intersection, go straight towards the place known as Le Jas. At a first fork, turn right, pass by a dirt road off to the right a little further on and continue to a second fork where you turn right towards Pignes.

(3). Leave the road before the next turn and take a steep path climbing a slope to the right. Head along a ridge to a small gate on the edge of the fields of vines (remember to close the gate behind you).

(4) Continue left along a track that goes to the east through the vineyards. Continue straight, cross a rocky lock and continue to follow the trail across a wide valley to the ruins of the Giants’ hamlet where you will find the old chapel and some ruins.

(5). After the hamlet, continue on a clear path. Leave the first path leading up to the left in a bend and at the next, take the trail that goes left (yellow markings).

(6) Pass nearby an iron cross and after a steady climb, arrive at Pas de Maneyrole.

(7) Take the left path that rises through an orchard to an intersection and go straight until it leads to a pass.

(8) From the pass, turn left at a small trail leading to the summit of Gros Moure (846 metres). From the pass, pass a track to the right (fence) and continue straight down a shady path on the north-west flank of Mount Buisse. Arrive at the Jas, take the road taken on the outbound journey.

(9) At the intersection (fountain), turn right and join the starting point of the circuit by road (yellow markings).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 345 m - Multi-purpose hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 374 m - Notre-Dame du Cadenet (Piégon)
  3. 2 : km 0.65 - alt. 382 m - Ferme de la Fontaine
  4. 3 : km 1.4 - alt. 406 m - 2nd loop
  5. 4 : km 1.91 - alt. 464 m - Les Pignes
  6. 5 : km 3.71 - alt. 578 m - The hamlet of the Giants
  7. 6 : km 4.24 - alt. 581 m - Lauzon (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Ouvèze
  8. 7 : km 4.45 - alt. 598 m - La combe
  9. 8 : km 5.17 - alt. 702 m - Le Pas de Maneyrole (706m)
  10. 9 : km 6.29 - alt. 809 m - The Col du Gros Moure
  11. S/E : km 10.54 - alt. 345 m - Multi-purpose hall car park - La Belle Vendangeuse (Piégon)

In the nearby area

(1) La Belle Vendangeuse, a monumental sculpture (30 m long and 6.80 m high) on "Saffre" (local name given to La Molasse) by Jean-Pierre Eichenberger.
(2) Notre-Dame-du-Cadenet chapel (12th Century).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 61 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Marius26
Marius26
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A varied and little frequented hike. Easy to follow... if you download the map.
The ascent of Gros Moure (not included in the Topo) is of little interest (no view) and is almost entirely off-piste, through thick deciduous trees.
Best done when it's not very hot.

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bodu
bodu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is a little-frequented route with no difficulties, despite a (long) descent on a fairly stony track. The beautiful views over Mirabel and Vinsobres from the ridge section (between points 3 and 4) make the walk worthwhile.

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Jean-Luc H
Jean-Luc H

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Easy ascents and descents. Beautiful scenery.

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Labourey
Labourey

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Overall, a fairly pleasant walk. A few long stretches on the way down.

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larsen Detdl
larsen Detdl

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

After a few very photogenic viewpoints, the path that rises is superb, a beautiful steep single then a ridge, yum, this hike looks good, but it's short ... The path leading to the Hameau des Géants follows a pistasse (DFCI?) and is looooooong, too long.

The ascent to the Pas de Maneyrole on a path, steep and steep in the gully, may not be to our liking, but for us it will be the last playful section, back on the pistasse to the Col, a truly beautiful picnic spot, alone in the world, with a very fine view .... The end is, how can I put it, a real purge, a descent on a wide, steep, straight path, losing 400m over 3km, of no interest, no view ...

Nevertheless, I'd recommend this route to trail runners and other sports enthusiasts who enjoy moving very quickly, as it's a great way to work the body. Last point: I'd recommend doing the 4km ascent in a clockwise direction at the start, where we met 3x2 hikers, although we didn't see anyone going in the same direction as us.
Thanks to the author though, it's hard work writing a description, well done ...

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andré drutel
andré drutel

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Poorly described route for the first half-hour walk.

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GVerchère
GVerchère

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk, with a precise description that was entirely consistent with the explanations given.

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Emmanuel84
Emmanuel84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It was a superb morning walk in the spring, easy with a few climbs that were a little more challenging, but short and good for the legs. The scenery is magnificent, both towards Mirabel aux Baronnies and towards the Baronnies mountains. The landscape alternates nicely between young vineyards and woods. The descent is comfortable and the finish at Piégon magnificent. I had a great time in a solitary and soothing landscape, for a very comfortable effort.

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OURSOUILLE
OURSOUILLE
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hike already done, done backwards for a change and extended from the Pas de Maneyrole. Satisfied!

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elise.pasquier@sfr
elise.pasquier@sfr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk, but there are 2 possible alternatives:

  • The first is to drive directly to point 3, which avoids having to walk on the road, and you can even visit the old village by stopping there. This is 1 hour less for the return journey.
  • The second, more strenuous route avoids the descent along the stony road from point 8 to 3. To do this, you need to climb the ridge of the Montagne de Buisse, which offers some very fine views. From point 8, continue as normal along the path through the forest until you reach the stony road, where you descend 100m and take the small path on the left that climbs the ridge. At the next crossroads, continue on the path that rises to the right (yellow circles). Enjoy the beautiful view of the Vallée des Géants The descent is challenging, poles are welcome and it is always signposted with yellow circles.

Allow 3h-3h30 with the 2 variants combined

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

It's a pleasant walk up to the hamlet of Les Géants, then a few single-track sections, but after that there's a lot of DFCI, particularly between point 8 and the return to the car park, which is a long, uninteresting descent and then the road.

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Morgan13
Morgan13
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 1 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

Between stages 3 and 4, the path is blocked by no less than 8 electric wires on the ground. According to the farmer responsible for this arrangement, this is to prevent wild boar from getting through. But you can only get through by jumping up and down, which rules out children, the elderly and dogs. There are no signs to explain that this is not to prevent walkers from passing. Another layout would be possible. I only walked 2 or 3 km before turning back. Disappointing!

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Catmon
Catmon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Easy, pleasant walk with lovely views of the surrounding villages

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danileo04
danileo04

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful walk. Can be done from the Piegon estate in the middle of nature, very friendly and welcoming people.

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Laurentsergeverdiere
Laurentsergeverdiere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A little steep at the start, but the walk up the hill is magnificent.

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