The Sylvanès trail

Through a coniferous forest, we discover the Russian Orthodox Chapel nestled in the heart of the woods, in an idyllic green setting. Time to pause and meditate on this magical place. Superb views. The trail is mainly woodland, which is pleasant in hot weather.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 272 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 269 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 678 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 449 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Car park at the entrance to the village, on the right next to the Sylvanès Abbey.

(S) Turn right and follow the D540 towards Rigal.

(1) Before Rigal, cross a small ditch and climb up through a coniferous wood. Follow the yellow markings, a little spaced in places but still visible, until you reach the D10.

(2) Cross the road, continue to the right for about 100m and then turn left onto the track that climbs to the summit (ignoring all the little paths on the right).

(3) Near the D10, continue along the track which descends to the right.

(4) Follow the wide track to the right, which leads past the chapel and the Prieuré des Granges. This track begins with a hairpin bend to the right, then loops to the left, heads north-east and loops again.

(5) With your back to the chapel, take the left-hand track through the forest to the Bains de Sylvanès spa, now in ruins.

(6) Climb up the road for 50m and take the path on the left which runs alongside the stream and brings you back to a crossroads at the start of the route. Turn left to return to the Sylvanès car park. (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 455 m - Car park opposite the abbey
  2. 1 : km 0.87 - alt. 471 m - To the right at the small aqueduct
  3. 2 : km 2.35 - alt. 606 m - Right at the D10
  4. 3 : km 4.39 - alt. 645 m - Track on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.65 - alt. 639 m - Track on the right
  6. 5 : km 6.84 - alt. 535 m - Russian Orthodox Chapel
  7. 6 : km 9.74 - alt. 449 m - Turn right at the road
  8. S/E : km 11.59 - alt. 455 m - Car park opposite the abbey

Practical information

Start: Car park at the entrance to the village, on the right next to the Sylvanès Abbey.

Facilities : Water available in front of the Orthodox Chapel in the woods.
Picnic table below the chapel.

(The Camarès Tourist Office will update the itinerary).

In the nearby area

Visits to the chapel on request.
Visit the Sylvanès Abbey and Museum. Ask at the Abbey or at the Camarès Tourist Office.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 34 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Nenel2781
Nenel2781

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty, bucolic walk, with beautiful forests and scenery, a lovely chapel with a very pleasant picnic table.
The only small problem is that in part 5 after the chapel there is a large logging site... 1km after the chapel it becomes a hike in desolate terrain and in the slush of the big logging machines.
The site is almost finished, but we'll have to see if the track is repaired after the work.

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pyrene12
pyrene12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk, mostly in woodland, with the outstanding feature being the Orthodox church.
Thank you Cécile for this loop.
Marie-Clotilde

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Clara65
Clara65

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Monotonous, but it's nice in the heat.
The landscape has changed and some signs have disappeared. We walked an extra 4 km. Worth another look!
Thank you

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Canelle
Canelle

Thanks Mady, I'll be making it again soon. Biz

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madydou
madydou ★
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Thank you Cécile for this lovely tour, which was rich in every way on Sunday 16 June.
A short cut at the end of the loop has been put in place to avoid the return stretch of road...

It's from the point (2) of my route here:
https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-5464...
Kisses and see you soon

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Philguil
Philguil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

After a good but easy climb up a wide forest track, the descent is gentle, with the advantage of discovering the Orthodox church, then the return to Sylvanès, still under the trees, which is really nice, especially if it's hot!

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COMPO
COMPO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Quite a long initial climb, wide paths, often undergrowth, very nice break at the Orthodox monastery.
It took me 4 hours and 5 minutes to get there, but I actually walked for 2 hours and 45 minutes.

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GAYRAUD Sylvie
GAYRAUD Sylvie

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk, shame at last the route includes crossing a stream but on that day the water level was much too high and the alternative was not indicated.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We changed the route slightly at the end of the walk to go round the ancient baths of Sylvanès. It's a story that won us over.

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pseudoe
pseudoe

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The markings are not very regular but the path is fairly intuitive.
It's well shaded, which is good for the summer period.
Hardly anyone on the day we did it.

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Poullin
Poullin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A good hike with good gradients and beautiful views of the surrounding area, including a beautiful church.

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Pailhories Patricia
Pailhories Patricia

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Not many people came, probably because of the weather and the time of year.

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GEge0306
GEge0306

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk, with a large shady section and a beautiful view of the Russian church.

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Ma Mie
Ma Mie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant, easy walk

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gene12
gene12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's hard to say whether the route was busy or not, as the walk was taken during the heatwave. Most of the time, however, it was shady.
The highlight was the visit to the Orthodox chapel, with a video recounting the history of this unlikely construction.
The flaune at the Auberge de Sylvanès at the end of the walk also makes it worthwhile...

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