Riou Bourdoux Discovery Trail

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We were very disappointed with this route, the first two-thirds of which were more like an obstacle course than a hike. The two fords weren't too difficult, but we still had to find the right place to cross.
Then we walked along the riverbed, surrounded by eroded schist walls.
A steep climb awaits us at the exit and the "path" is very rutted. On either side, the forest looks like a battlefield.
The most beautiful views are in the last third of the route.

What we did appreciate, however, was discovering the very interesting history of this place, even if some of the information boards could do with being restored.

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike but tricky fords to cross and a challenging climb for beginners.
We came back down via the track despite the heat because the descent via the path is quite steep.

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first third is quite surprising because the torrent is in a rather sinister valley (smooth, grey, desertified rocks)
It's difficult to understand or pass the torrent the second time around!
I think that crossing the two fords must be very difficult in wet weather!
The climb back up is quite tough (note: this should be taken into account as we are all senior citizens!)
The descent and the view are very pleasant
Point to review if possible: crossing the stream, but it's true that it's not easy from the description!

(very happy with your app!)

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike went smoothly, we were able to cross the ford twice. The climb after the second crossing is a little steep, and my wife, who is not very fit, had to take several breaks. The route is well marked with yellow signs, no worries. Please note: make sure you activate Visorando with your GPS and follow the route indicated to avoid getting lost. A very pleasant route that allows you to discover the history of this place through the information boards along the way. And there's a beautiful view of the PraLoup resort and its ski area and the Grande Séolane opposite. We set off from the indicated starting point at 3pm (arriving by car via the stony track, where it's best not to drive fast because of the potholes) and completed the loop in 2 hours and 15 minutes... Walking sticks and good shoes are recommended.

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Hello, are there still any problems with access to and crossing the ford? Thank you

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

You need to use the Visorando and Waze apps to set off on the walk; you’ll reach the starting point without any trouble. After that, the route is very well signposted. Crossing the ford is a bit trickier, but doable. Then “you take the path that climbs through the forest”; I didn’t think it would be such a steep climb, but I was also stressed about snakes, as it was hot and humid with tall grass and rocks – in short, a real haven for those dear creatures I’m not particularly fond of… so I was quite stressed during that climb. The highlight was the information boards all along the walk about the Riou Bourdoux, and a village hidden away in the woods. The return journey is much quicker.

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Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

We couldn’t get to the house mentioned at the start because of roadworks and a road closure. So we parked 1.5 km further up the road. Then, at the starting point, it was impossible to cross the torrent – there was no way across, no footbridge or anything. On foot, it would have been very dangerous to cross the torrent’s current. So we turned back, very disappointed.

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