In the footsteps of the mule drivers - Saoû Forest

This walk takes you along various historic communication routes in the Saoû Forest.
You can start this loop from the Ecoguards' Office by heading towards Le Chemin de la Grande Combe and then following the directions in the text.
Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Details

2308889
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 311 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 313 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 653 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 415 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Sables Blancs car park.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, turn left onto the tarmac road.

(1) Cross the bridge and reach the Pont de Pézillet signpost, turn left towards the Auberge des Dauphins and at the next signpost (about 100m further on) keep going in the same direction. The walk continues along a small straight path, following the Vèbre river, which should remain on your left. After about 800 metres, the path veers off to the right and enters the undergrowth.

(2) At the Ancienne Route Touristique Maurice Burrus signpost, descend to the left to the concrete bridge.

(3) Cross the bridge and head towards the Bureau des Écogardes.

(4) From there, turn right to reach Le Chemin de la Grande Combe, then climb left towards Chemin Muletier. Be careful, the path is steep! Quite steep at the start, it gradually levels out, winding along the side of the perched syncline, alternating between wet earth and stony passages.

(5) Join Chemin Muletier, turn left towards Les Chênes on the wide downhill path, an old tourist route created in the 1930s. Along this gentle descent, you will have plenty of time to admire the scenery, particularly the vertical cliffs of Le Pertuis to the west.

(6) Pass the Les Chênes Est signpost and continue to Les Chênes. From there, turn left onto the stone steps for a shaded descent.

(7) Pass by the ruins of the Pézillet farm, not far from the kaolin deposit. This17th-century farm consists of several buildings. Be careful not to enter them due to the risk of falling rocks.

(8) At the meadow, head towards the La Prade signpost and then Les Sables Blancs. You will then come to the car park on your left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 418 m - Sables Blancs car park
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 416 m - Pont de Pézillet - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  3. 2 : km 2.28 - alt. 488 m - Ancienne Route Touristique M. Burrus
  4. 3 : km 2.67 - alt. 488 m - Concrete bridge
  5. 4 : km 2.76 - alt. 481 m - Eco-guard office
  6. 5 : km 4.03 - alt. 653 m - Chemin Muletier
  7. 6 : km 6.69 - alt. 511 m - Les Chênes Est signpost
  8. 7 : km 7.2 - alt. 439 m - Ruins of the Pézillet farm
  9. 8 : km 7.37 - alt. 417 m - La Prade
  10. S/E : km 7.49 - alt. 418 m - Sables Blancs car park

Notes

The metal tips of walking sticks leave holes that damage the surface of the trails. If you use walking sticks, please leave the plastic caps on the ends.

Dogs must be kept on a leash.

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 / environnement@ladrome.fr / www.ladrome.fr/ens-foret-de-saou

Hunting calendar: No driven hunts
September 2023: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29.
October 2023: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 31.
November 2023: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29.
December 2023: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31.
January 2022: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12.
From 15 January to 29 February 2024: according to the PGCAS prefectural decree, driven hunting on Saturdays 20 and 27 January and 3, 10, 17 and 24 February.

Individual hunting remains possible until 28 February 2022 every day except Wednesday throughout the site, except for the Trois Becs permanent hunting reserve.

For information on the sector and the day's driven hunt times, please refer to the following information points:
the eco-guard office, Sables Blancs, Silo, Pezillet, Pertuis, Pont d'Orta, Paturel and the Saoû tourist office.

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.

Roads and paths as heritage
After crossing the Vèbre, you take a small bucolic path, now used by hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders, etc. Like this one, the paths of the Saoû forest have a history, a function, and a karstic cave. The Department has committed to a site-wide trail management policy to ensure their continued use. The first traces of human occupation date back to the Neolithic period. From then on, humans created a network of paths that we have inherited. The mule track, created for pack animals, winds gently along the south-facing slope.
The tourist road created by Maurice Burrus in the 1930s was designed for exploring the forest by car. Dozens of workers toiled to create this route. Today, it is closed to motorised vehicles, except for service vehicles and authorised users (eco-guards, fire-fighters, shepherds, hunters, scientists, foresters, etc.).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 9544711

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In spring, a walk in the forest is very pleasant, with plenty of birdsong
An open stretch offers us some lovely views

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User 15314871

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very enjoyable route.

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samsonnet26
samsonnet26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this lovely hike as a family with our children. It was parish specific to Brittany, with a picnic near the Auberge des Dauphins. We met the forest ranger on horseback and had a chat with him. The trail is very doable with children.

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MissVertigo
MissVertigo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, done at the end of November, with very pleasant and varied trails and paths, no tarmac, and beautiful landscapes. We did it with a picnic break, but it can also be done in half a day. The climb is very gradual.
And for those who, like me, are prone to vertigo, there are no problematic sections!

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SAUZET26
SAUZET26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike that we had already done before. Beautiful autumn colours and a shared meal at the Auberge du Dauphin. An easy hike after a short climb to reach the pretty trail.

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Alison M.
Alison M.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 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 walk, through woodland with beautiful views once you reach the top.
Not very steep, so easily manageable with children.

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jpierre.c
jpierre.c

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy hike through the beautiful forest of Saoû. As mentioned by other hikers, at point 9, continue straight ahead.

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Pasc 07
Pasc 07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely, peaceful walk

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fandemaubec
fandemaubec

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Fairly easy trail. The first half climbs, the second half descends. Beautiful forest!

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Cathy49
Cathy49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike... Starts in the shade and ends in the sun
Magnificent scenery at the end of the trail.
No particular problems with our two dogs, which must be kept on a lead (forest rangers carry out checks)

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AnGa
AnGa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike was fantastic 🤩 and not too crowded, even though there were lots of people in the Saoû forest on this May bank holiday. A very beautiful route, varied and easy to follow

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GRAND AIR
GRAND AIR
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

we parked the car in the car park closest to the Auberge des Dauphins, so we ended the hike with a pleasant, shaded walk along the river!
we started the hike with a steep climb through the forest, but only for about 1 km, then continued along a flat or downhill forest track from where we could admire part of the 3 peaks on one side and
the rocky cliffs overlooking the plain!
A beautiful walk without too much difficulty
Thank you

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jeanne69
jeanne69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk in fine weather.

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ramatuelle83
ramatuelle83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike done on Tuesday, 13 September 2022. Very few people. Very beautiful route. Thank you to the author

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noelnoeloel
noelnoeloel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike without any significant difficulties
Passing by the renovated Auberge des Dauphins.

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