The Dolmens of the Grande Pallières

A short hike in shade to discover no less than five Neolithic dolmens, including the four dolmens of the Grande Pallières site.

Technical sheet

1949610
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 157 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 157 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 440 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 283 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Starting point :__ At the end of the small asphalt road that leads to the place called La Frigoule.

Yellow dash signs along the route and signposts at important junctions.

(S/E) Set off to the west and slightly uphill taking the gravel track which continues from the road. Pass a place called la Frigoule, continue straight and climb the stony path between a fence and a low wall on the left side. Enter a wood and continue to climb. Further on, the path becomes flat, within shrubby vegetation.

(1) At the top, at a crossroads not shown on the map (signpost), turn slightly right (less than the yellow arrow suggests). Go North and ignore several paths on the right. Arrive at the Croix de Pallières (384m).

(2) Then turn left towards the dolmens and, after a few metres, turn right, still towards the dolmens. Go up on a stony path in the middle of dense undergrowth dominated by pines. Pass a kind of small summit (ruins of a house on the left) and go down again to reach a crossing (signpost "Sous le dolmen, 407m").

(3) Take the path on the left towards the dolmens. Go up and quickly reach the Dolmen de Panissière.

(4) Go around the dolmen, reach the signpost just behind it and go in the direction of the Dolmens de la Grande Pallières. The path, marked with some cairns, zigzags and passes through undergrowth, and on the crest, between small rocks. When you arrive in front of a yellow cross, go down to the right on a kind of step in the rock and immediately take a path to the left (be sure to mark the place for the return). Finish by a passage on small rocks flush with the ground and reach the signpost "Dolmens de la Grande Pallières.

(5) The first two dolmens can be found by going towards 'Panissière' on the right: the 1st one just below the post, the 2nd one by going down a few metres and by turning right (yellow cross). Back to the post, continue a hundred metres on the ridge (North-North-East) and find the two other dolmens on the right : the 3rd immediately, the 4th by further again to the right. Retrace your steps until you reach the signpost.

To return; take the same track you followed to arrive at the dolmens (see variants in the practical information). In what follows, only the points to be careful of are mentioned.

(5) Go South-South-West towards the Dolmen de Panissière. Do not miss the right-left at the "step" passed on the way.

(4) Go around the Dolmen de Panissière as far as the entrance and descend to the left (be careful, the sign on the post appears to indicate the right).

(3) Turn right towards the Croix des Pallières. At the next post, turn left and immediately end up at the Croix de Pallières.

(2) Turn right towards Saint-Félix-de-Favières. Ignore several paths on the left.

(1) Turn left (signpost) and return to the parking point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 283 m - Route D133 x Chemin de la Croix de Pallières
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 326 m - La Frigoule
  3. 2 : km 1.5 - alt. 386 m - Carrefour
  4. 3 : km 1.69 - alt. 385 m - La Croix de Pallières
  5. 4 : km 2.33 - alt. 404 m - Under the dolmen
  6. 5 : km 2.38 - alt. 412 m - Panissière dolmen
  7. 6 : km 3.03 - alt. 439 m - Dolmens de la Grande Pallières
  8. S/E : km 6.41 - alt. 283 m - Route D133 x Chemin de la Croix de Pallières

Practical information

Starting point :__ At the end of the small asphalt road that leads to the place called La Frigoule.

Access : From the D133 between Saint-Félix-de-Favières and Anduze, take the Chemin de la Croix de Pallières towards the Jardin du Mas de la Frigoule (on the left when coming from Saint-Félix, on the right when coming from Anduze). Follow this small asphalt road (as well as a yellow marker) ignoring the access roads to houses. At the end of the road, find on the left a half-grassy, half-rocky area where it is possible to park three or four vehicles.
See a variant of the starting point in the practical information.

Starting point variation :
Parking is one of the difficulties of this hike... Rather than at the end of the tarmac, it is possible to park on the side of the D133, near the start of the Chemin de la Croix de Pallières, particularly towards Traviagues. Follow the path of the Cross of Pallières towards the dolmens and the Garden of the Mas de la Frigoule (Yellow markings). Makes the hike about 500m longer.

Variations of return :
Rather than coming back by the same route as outbound, it's possible to take a detour by the old hamlet of Panissière (apparently marked paths, variant not tested by the author). Follow the direction Panissière, either from the post (5) or from the post (3). From Panissière, follow the direction of La Croix de Pallières and join the main route at (2).
This variant lengthens the hike and slightly increases its height difference.

Yellow dash signs along the route and signposts at important junctions.

Terrain: Hiking shoes are recommended (the terrain is often stony). The route is mostly shaded, which should be an advantage in summer.

Facilities : There is no water point on the trail.

Note : Detailed map required (at least the one that accompanies this description). From the waypoint (4) on, a good sense of direction is required.

Hike made by the author on April 11, 2019.

In the nearby area

The four dolmens of the Grande Pallières (-4000 to -3500 B.C.) (5) constitute the goal of the hike. They all have the same configuration: a central slab resting on vertical slabs constitutes the chamber; the chamber is surrounded by heaped stones which form a circle; this structure is bordered by a kind of path and an external ring of stones. The third one mentioned in the description is probably the most intact, the fourth is the least well preserved. I found the second one to be the most moving.

The Dolmen of Panissières has the same configuration as those of the Grande Pallière. Metal bars have been added to consolidate the structure.

Here and there, we find some signs of a much more recent occupation of the place, notably around the (3) old low walls, ruins of a dwelling.

Some beautiful panoramas on the Cevennes when you are is on the crests.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

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

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk, mostly through undergrowth, with some fine viewpoints. The dolmens are worth seeing.
No difficulty.

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carabony
carabony

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice short walk ("easy", not "medium"), very well described route, frequent yellow marks. The dolmens are worth seeing. (and the Arbouses are abundant at this time of year, but don't overdo it....)

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fouquerebourg
fouquerebourg
• Last modified:

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 : Yes

The outing was rounded off by a climb to Capélans, a magnificent viewpoint. Following the advice of a previous review, we returned along the path shown on the map that leads to Baudoin. The path was very well marked; only a few fallen trees at the stream crossing meant we had to be careful for the rest of the way.

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FerBer
FerBer

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

In the shade, it's a lovely walk to the dolmens overlooking beautiful views of two sides of the Cévenne...

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Béatrice Serre
Béatrice Serre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very well signposted walk, pleasant to do even in fine weather as it is shaded. Beautiful views of the Cévennes and the dolmens.

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fdepardon
fdepardon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful climb through varied woods.
A fine view of the typical Cévennes landscape at the summit.
Monuments and dolmens that stand out.
For all walkers.

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les MM's
les MM's
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

You can make a nice loop by following a path indicated on the map. Take it below the last dolmen. This one is very pretty, gently sloping, in the shade, on the ground and not stony (not like on the outward journey), and there is even a watering hole. I'd recommend it.

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jpakiki
jpakiki

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

During a "descent" into the south, after a snack break we took this short but interesting walk, with beautiful views of the Cévennes.

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Tsona
Tsona

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route is pleasant, not very steep but parish specific to Brittany.

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catpravin
catpravin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The dolmen and talweg are well worth discovering!
The walk is easy and very well signposted. We only met one couple on Ascension Thursday.
At La Grande Pallière, however, you have to walk a few metres before you see the first dolmen on the right below.
Tested alternative return. Very easy and very well signposted!

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cbrown
cbrown

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Well done for the superbly accurate description! Nice walk, a bit crowded for a rather cool Sunday morning, but it was OK. Some lovely views of the Cévennes and some fine dolmens. Beautiful undergrowth of pine and arbutus. Very pleasant! Thank you very much!

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folieguinness
folieguinness

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We went for a walk on Sunday at 2pm and didn't meet many walkers. Shady paths
Magnificent views of the Cévennes

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philfil
philfil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk in the shade.

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LAMAINFROIDE
LAMAINFROIDE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this route today and were delighted with the description on the website. On site, we sometimes lacked more detailed markers, and at 2 points we hesitated to take the right direction. Otherwise very satisfied with the route, from the junction of the D133 road to the dolmen, it took us 2 hours 20 minutes for a total of 6.5 km, so very precise explanations of the walk and above all well shaded as described. BRAVO .

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delphetmanu
delphetmanu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk: not very busy, shady, with the advantage of seeing dolmens/tumuli, and beautiful panoramas of the Cévennes peaks!

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