Pré de l'Âne through the heart of the forest - Saoû Forest

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A beautiful hike where "diversity" is the watchword! This superb route zigzags between two cliffs, allowing you to climb gradually, via the Grande Combe, amid lush vegetation. The Pas de Siara offers a glimpse of the southern Alpine meadows of the Trois Becs, where sheep from the neighbouring valleys graze during the summer. The descent is gentle through the beech forest, typical of the mountainous region.

Details

n°2308886
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 822 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 822 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,289 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 467 m
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Photos

View of Le Veyou.
Panorama
Just like me, he's an Adonis :)
Good luck!

Description of the walk

From Saou, take the D136 towards the Silo car park.

(S/E) From the Silo car park, walk along the Atlas cedars to pass in front of L'Auberge des Dauphins and reach the Eco-Guardians' Office.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach Chemin de la Grande Combe. It climbs gently up the valley.

(2) After 15-20 minutes, at the Les Douglas signpost, it narrows and climbs more steeply. On the right, a wooden guardrail marks the site of an old stone dam.

(3) After about 2 hours and 15 minutes of walking, the path leads to the Virage du Pré de l'Âne. Continue straight on towards the Pas de Siara.

(4) Enjoy a magnificent view of the Col de la Chaudière and the Couspeau mountain (round trip: about 1.5 km).
Then turn left towards the Bergerie de Bois-Vert. Cattle may be present here during the summer months.

(5) Continue towards Porte de Barry. The view then opens up to the south over the Bourdeaux region, with the Drôme Provençale on the horizon. Continue to the next crossroads.

(6) Take the hairpin turn to the right and continue towards the Virage des Princes along the wide winding path, shaded by the undergrowth. Pass in front of the Refuge des Princes, the ideal spot for a break on the terrace, sitting on benches designed by Maurice Burrus.

(7) A few dozen metres after the refuge, at Virage des Princes, leave the stone path and turn left onto Les Berches until you reach the first crossroads.

(8) Continue to the right towards Les Fourneaux. Descend to the next track.

(9) At the crossroads, cross the track and turn right, heading north-east towards the Piste des Coupes (steep descent on dirt).

(10) At the Piste des Coupes signpost, continue downhill to the north-west towards the Halte Équestre. Wind your way through the undergrowth until you come out onto a meadow. From here, you can see the cliffs of Pas de l'Échelette and Pas du Fau. Continue towards Le Pont en Béton.

(11) Then turn right to reach the Bureau des Écogardes.

(1) Turn left to return to L'Auberge des Dauphins and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 467 m - Silo car park
  2. 1 : km 0.43 - alt. 481 m - Ecogarde office. Walk along the - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 536 m - Douglas tree post
  4. 3 : km 5.74 - alt. 1,213 m - Virage du Pré de l’Âne
  5. 4 : km 6.21 - alt. 1,289 m - No Siara
  6. 5 : km 7.81 - alt. 1,158 m - Bois-Vert sheepfold
  7. 6 : km 9.61 - alt. 1,051 m - Barry Gate
  8. 7 : km 11.8 - alt. 910 m - Refuge des Princes
  9. 8 : km 12.3 - alt. 856 m - Les Berches
  10. 9 : km 13.29 - alt. 722 m - Les Fourneaux
  11. 10 : km 13.77 - alt. 642 m - Poteau Piste des Coupes
  12. 11 : km 15.02 - alt. 491 m - The Concrete Bridge
  13. S/E : km 15.54 - alt. 467 m - Return to the Silo car park

Notes

Please respect the work of farmers and shepherds by giving the herds a wide berth and respecting their privacy, particularly at the Bergerie de Bois-Vert.

Dogs must be kept on a leash all year round and are prohibited on the Trois Becs mountain pasture from 15 June to 15 October.

The metal tips of walking sticks leave holes that damage the surface of the trails. For those who use them, please leave the plastic caps on the ends of your sticks.

We strongly recommend that you take IGN map no. 3138OT with you. Hikers must be self-sufficient, but professional guides are available if needed. Emergency number: 18 or 112.
Information available from the Val de Drôme Tourist Office, Saoû branch: 04 75 76 01 72 / tourisme@val-de-drome.fr / www.valleedeladrome.com
Sensitive Natural Areas of the Department: 04 75 79 27 21 / esnvironnement@ladrome.fr / www.ladrome.fr/ens-foret-de-saou

Hunting within the ENS:
- driven hunt between 1 September 2024 and 12 January 2025 on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- information on the areas hunted each day is displayed on signs at the entrances to the site and car park, the eco-guard office and the tourist office,
- no individual hunting is permitted on the site.

Worth a visit

The Saoû Forest:
Acquired under the Sensitive Natural Areas policy, the Saoû forest is the largest property in the Drôme department (2,500 hectares). A "listed site" since 1942 and recognised as being of European interest under Natura 2000, it is managed according to the principles of sustainable development in consultation with local stakeholders.

A history of tourism:
You are travelling along part of the tourist route created by Maurice Burrus in the 1930s. This route was listed by the Touring Club de France and the Abri des Princes was a stopping point for tourists visiting the site by vehicle. This shelter is now used by hikers.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Fabjack
Fabjack

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in good weather, on 10 cm of snow, sheltered from the wind for most of the route through the forest. Progress on snow is more in line with the advertised difficulty.

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Nadine E
Nadine E

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Moderately difficult hike due to significant elevation gain shortly after departure. The beauty of the location makes up for the difficulty. The end of the route takes place in the woods for several kilometres.

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Mu&Jp-du-Jura
Mu&Jp-du-Jura

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In my opinion, a little overrated: moderately difficult.
The climb between the cliffs is magnificent; you climb steadily without really noticing.
When I arrived at Pré de l'Âne, I was greeted by fog, hail and rain, so I didn't continue on to Pas de Siara.
The return trip was more monotonous, but not without interest, along a beautiful forest trail.
To be repeated on a fine day.

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marie celine
marie celine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A gradual climb in the shade in beautiful green surroundings. The descent is monotonous, even if you pass by the Bois Vert and Princes mountain huts. Still very pleasant in all seasons.

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Isa84100
Isa84100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A very beautiful hike with an easy climb through the valley, in the shade and cool. The valley and forest are superb, it's truly enchanting.
At the donkey meadow, I chose not to go to the Siara pass but to the Floréal pass, which I didn't know and which also offers a beautiful view.
I didn't find the descent that tedious; the path is well shaded, the Princes' Refuge is very pretty, and there are trees all along the way.
A very beautiful hike that I recommend for a wonderful day in the superb Saou forest. Thank you very much!

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indiendaogibbslorka
indiendaogibbslorka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike

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Stradius
Stradius
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, the climb between the two cliffs offers a wide variety of vegetation and difficulty levels.
Arrival at the partially snow-covered Siara Pass, beautiful viewpoint.
The descent from the sheepfold is of little interest.

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EMMAQUIMARCHE
EMMAQUIMARCHE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
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, with an ascent into the heart of the Saou forest, which has a somewhat magical feel to it. The arrival at the top of the hill at the donkey meadow is superb, and gives you the energy to continue on to the Siara pass to admire the landscape.
For my part, I returned via the valley.

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ajmart
ajmart
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Magnificent forest. Best visited on hot days for the shade and to avoid slipping on wet stones.

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laulau1
laulau1
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

the walk through the forest is very pleasant, but the return trip along the carriage road is not particularly interesting.
However, I would recommend continuing on towards Le Veyou. Once you reach the donkey pasture, keep climbing and you'll be rewarded with a superb view. It's the only place on this hike where you can enjoy such a view, so don't miss it!
the Saou forest is truly exotic

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321
321
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Hello,
The return journey, which follows a 6-metre-wide track for several kilometres, is not particularly interesting.

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patrick furminieux
patrick furminieux
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike, part 1 zigzags between two cliffs with a gradual climb via the large valley surrounded by vegetation. At the donkey meadow, a flock of sheep and two sheepdogs welcome you without a shepherd, a mandatory detour!!!!!!!!! The gentle descent on a forest path leads to the Auberge des Dauphins

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JoaquimD
JoaquimD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good


during hot weather, this hike is very pleasant.
I set off at 8:30 a.m. when it was still very cool.
I can confirm that this hike is not for everyone.
I extended the walk by climbing Pic Veyoux.
the descent was more leisurely.
A total of 19 km in 3 hours and 15 minutes at a good pace.

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Ranbaz
Ranbaz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

For someone accustomed to dry, rocky landscapes, the Saou forest is a real change of scenery. This hike has surpassed all others in my heart for its first part up to the Pré de l'Âne bend. The immersion in the forest is total in this first part. It is important to understand that there are two parts to this hike: the magical ascent through the forest and the boring descent along forest roads.
The difficult classification is overrated. This hike is not difficult at all, it just climbs. I did it with two non-athletic teenagers and my wife (a hiker but with a knee prosthesis). If you take regular breaks, there's no problem. So, in my opinion, it's more of a medium classification, but it's good to keep it as difficult, as I only came across one couple during the entire climb on 15 July. However, once you arrive at Pré de l'Âne and head towards Les Trois Becs, it's "the place to be!"
In conclusion, the Saou forest is a superb place and this hike is the only way to appreciate it.

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