Saoû Forest

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A superb hike in the Saoû Forest, ideal for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts – a challenge for us as novice hikers. Despite the fairly long route, we were delighted and, above all, pleasantly surprised by the untamed beauty of the landscape and the view of the Trois Becs.

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

Details

n°74545
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.68 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,799 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,812 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,049 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,535 ft
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Photos

Roche Courbe

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near La Vèbre.

(S/E) Take the fairly steep mule track to the left just after the Maison des Gardes (Auberge des Dauphins) and walk up to a junction.

(1) Turn right and follow the path uphill to La Selle.

(2) Continue uphill to the Refuge des Girards.

(3) After a lunch break at the refuge, head back down towards theGR®®9.

(4) Turn right onto this GR®®.

(5) Cross the Vèbre and continue to the Virage du Pré de l’Âne.

(6) Then head towards the Bergerie du Bois Vert.

(7) Continue along theGR®® to reach the Porte du Barry.

(8) Turn right at the hairpin bend and carry on to the Refuge des Princes.

(9) Continue along the path and, when you reach the next junction, turn right. Follow the path again until you reach another junction.

(10) Turn right and head downhill to another junction.

(12) Head due north along the path, which will take you to the Auberge des Dauphins and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,588 ft - Car park near La Vèbre
  2. 1 : mi 0.73 - alt. 2,136 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 3.36 - alt. 3,337 ft - La Selle
  4. 3 : mi 4.95 - alt. 3,907 ft - Refuge des Girards
  5. 4 : mi 5.53 - alt. 3,924 ft - Junction with GR°°®°°9
  6. 5 : mi 6.06 - alt. 4,039 ft - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  7. 6 : mi 6.55 - alt. 3,990 ft - Virage du Pré de l’Âne
  8. 7 : mi 7.2 - alt. 3,816 ft - Bergerie du Bois Vert
  9. 8 : mi 8.36 - alt. 3,448 ft - Porte du Barry
  10. 9 : mi 9.76 - alt. 2,989 ft - Refuge des Princes
  11. 10 : mi 11.22 - alt. 2,336 ft - Turn right at the fork
  12. 11 : mi 11.49 - alt. 2,087 ft - Junction of paths
  13. S/E : mi 12.68 - alt. 1,585 ft - Car park near La Vèbre

Notes

(3) Refuge des Girards for a lunch break.
(9) Refuge des Princes for a coffee break on the way back.

Make sure you wear walking boots as the path is stony; it’s less strenuous going up than coming down.
Also bring walking poles, especially for the ascent, plenty of water and food, an IGN map at a scale of 1:25,000 and a compass.

Worth a visit

Take the time to stop and observe the magnificent natural surroundings.

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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
NRBJ
NRBJ

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy route, although a little monotonous at times; it’s mainly a long, wide track of earth and stones, gently sloping first uphill and then downhill.
I didn’t use the route description; I just followed the GPX track.
To liven things up a bit, at point 4 I took a short detour to see the ‘Roc de la Laveuse’, which was a nice little climb as well.
Note that at point 4 there was a flock of sheep and two Patou dogs guarding them. One of the guard dogs managed to get out of their pen, came over to sniff me and, once he’d realised I was harmless, calmly went back to work 😃. There’s no danger as long as you stay calm.
The Saoû forest is magnificent and peaceful – it’s a lovely way to enjoy nature.

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papounetdeseve
papounetdeseve

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk after a delayed start due to rain. We were right to wait, because although the hike was long, it wasn't too difficult and was mostly shaded with shelters for lunch if needed. We were surprised to see deer grazing in the undergrowth along the way.

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oponcin
oponcin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The circular that we extended to the ridges and summits of the 3 peaks
https://youtu.be/-1YioN3SH7g
Few people in the beautiful forest but many on the 3 Becs
The return journey along the stony road in the blazing sun is tough going.

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Merabet Moustafa
Merabet Moustafa

Thank you, and as for the overestimated time, everyone does as they please, we took our time, no rush!

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Ded73
Ded73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful and long walk in the forest, estimated time = overestimated

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Moustafa M.
Moustafa M.

In response to grossif, thank you for your comment. You had a lovely day, and that's what matters.

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grossif
grossif

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A great classic, but so beautiful
This syncline is worth a detour and this route is an excellent warm-up
No difficulties, but set off northwards to enjoy the morning sun and return in the shade

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mijo26
mijo26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We chose this beautiful hike after a period of rainy weather because it mostly follows a forest path, so there are no rocks or slippery trails. We discovered other viewpoints of the Saoû forest. It's not difficult, the effort is steady, especially as there isn't a 1,000-metre elevation gain as indicated, but 750 metres. The 8 hours and 50 minutes duration is exaggerated, unless the lunch and coffee breaks were super long . It took us 5 hours.

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bibi
bibi ★

Thank you for your feedback. If you think the description could be improved, please do not hesitate to let us know your suggestions.
Kind regards

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Laurent.saccomani0344
Laurent.saccomani0344

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hiking in the woods is preferable in hot weather. The estimated time of 8 hours and 20 minutes is a little overestimated and can slow you down. We are not high-level athletes and it took us 6 hours and 15 minutes, including a lunch break.

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ourabah
ourabah

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

beautiful forest walk to do in good weather

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jmidb
jmidb

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

A pleasant forest route, albeit somewhat monotonous, with an elevation gain of approximately 700 metres. There are few opportunities to enjoy the scenery unless you stray from the path to reach the ridges.

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RODY7
RODY7

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
I looked into this hike because I have planned a day off in June at La Chaudière at the foot of Les Trois Becs.
I will let you know when I return at the end of June whether I managed to complete this circular in the Saoû anticline.
See you soon.

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jasserie
jasserie

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A fairly easy route for good walkers, without much elevation gain and on wide paths except for the first climb. It may be a little long and monotonous as it is entirely in the forest. To combine it with the 3 Becs, you need to be in good shape, but it is certainly the most interesting route.

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corik
corik

I confirm,
it was the Ste Baume valley hike.

Best regards

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