The Grotte de Mueron and Gorges du Blavet in Bagnols-en-Forêt

A stroll in an exceptional place, discovering the gorges of the river Blavet and the cave of Mueron which was inhabited in the Bronze Age.
Ideal in summer and on warmer days, avoid periods of heavy rain.

Technical sheet

n°139387

Creation:
3 Aug 2015

Last update:
9 Apr 2023

Last review:
18 Jun 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.28 km
Average duration: 2h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 197 m
Vertical drop: - 192 m
Highest point: 263 m
Lowest point: 94 m

Country: France
District: Bagnols-en-Forêt (83600)
Start/End: N 43.528684° / E 6.655044°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3543OT, 3544ET
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Description of the walk

Start from the Gorges du Blavet car park.

(1)Take the small path straight ahead which follows the river bed (southwest).

(2)At the crossroads of trails, fork right (southeast) and down to the ford.

(3) Cross the ford then go up the trail on the right (south-southeast) toward the cave. You'll notice a number of climbing routes around the cave.

(4)Continue along the trail up to the Piste de la Lieutenante (GR^®51).

(5)Then go left (east) on the GR^®51, with read and white route markers. Arrive at the bridge and look bellow at the channel dug into the rock which was used to feed a mill.

(6)Continue east on the GR^®51 toward the Piste du Château d'Eau.

(7) When you get to the water tower, climb (northwest) on the small path to reach a track and leave the GR^®51, continuing northwest and remaining on the Piste de Bayonne.

Admire the view of the gorges and a large Gallo-Roman oppidum (the former Bagnols).
Continue to the car via the track lined with chestnut trees.

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 209 m - Paking des Gorges du Blavet
1 : km 0.1 - alt. 207 m - Take the narrow path straight ahead
2 : km 1.29 - alt. 177 m - Bifurcation
3 : km 1.42 - alt. 139 m - The ford
4 : km 2.34 - alt. 101 m - GR51
5 : km 2.59 - alt. 102 m - Turn left
6 : km 4.29 - alt. 206 m - Water tower
S/E : km 6.28 - alt. 207 m - Paking des Gorges du Blavet

Practical information

No specific equipment, good shoes. In rainy periods the rocks are slippery.
A pleasant stroll throughout the year but avoid periods of rain. Also good in summer as you can take advantage of the shade.

In the nearby area

Website link for the Gorges du Blavet and Grotte du Mueron Blavet

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5

Based on 123 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

User 8608126

Jun 18, 2025 at 13:47 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Short, easy hike, mostly shaded. Several routes and options to continue on other trails from the orientation table.

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ANAIS31770

Jun 17, 2025 at 12:14 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike, mostly in the shade. Close to climbing routes, slightly uneven terrain, so caution is advised when descending if you have knee problems.

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User 8608126

Jun 02, 2025 at 10:32 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An easy route, shaded for much of the way, with fine views over the Argens plain.

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fabriv

May 05, 2025 at 12:35 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

très belle balade
I also advise you on the way back to make an Alte on the car park before the hairpin bend towards la bouverie where there is a viewpoint and to set off on foot for 15 minutes for a breathtaking viewpoint over the gorges and on the way back just before the red signposting 5 metres away to set off downhill for another viewpoint.

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Realtek94

Apr 15, 2025 at 11:28 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Half the route is in the shade, accompanied by the song of the torrent. To the bridge below.
2 fords that can be tricky. If complicated, walk with your feet in the water.
Path deteriorated by passages. Large rock steps. Use of sticks useful.
Nice intermediate climb to the cave, remarkable.
Nice picnic spot at the bridge.
Long climb back up on wide path with beautiful views of the gorges at the top, best lit in the morning.
Quiet return to the car park.

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Patlamenace06

Jan 20, 2025 at 08:00 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty and soothing site

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JA066

Jan 20, 2025 at 07:37 EST • Last modified: Jan 20, 2025 at 08:07 EST

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 : Yes

Lovely walk with 1 or 2 sections that were a bit tricky but nothing insurmountable! Lots of climbers on the routes.

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KLIER

Oct 10, 2024 at 11:09 EDT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

pleasant hike& with interesting things to see
on the other hand, on the way back from the area frequented by a lot of varrape climbers, the route is very badly signposted, we had a hard time finding our way back and we weren't the only hikers to have this problem, so some didn't do the loop but retraced their steps ......

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Angil

Oct 07, 2024 at 14:59 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Fun, varied and fairly sporty route.
Fairly well-marked, but could be improved to avoid going too far and increasing the walking time. GPS recommended.
It would be preferable to avoid going north to reach the car park, whereas it would seem possible to reach the circuit from the south.

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BG30

Sep 18, 2024 at 04:55 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A fairly short but interesting loop. The path through the gorges is pleasant and shady, but the vegetation often limits the view of the cliffs. However, you can get a good overall view on the 2nd part of the trail.

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marquounet

Jun 24, 2024 at 05:35 EDT

Route to be done early in the morning .... parking difficulties .

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Le Bourru

Jun 17, 2024 at 06:00 EDT

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

A very nice walk, mostly in the shade, with a few difficult sections. Allow 2 hours for a leisurely stroll.

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fanmirando

Jun 03, 2024 at 02:31 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

An interesting and varied circuit combining a balcony path in the gorges and its cool stream running through a rocky chaos, then a return via tracks with beautiful views of the Roquebrune rock.

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clo et pascal

May 20, 2024 at 09:54 EDT • Last modified: May 20, 2024 at 09:56 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very pretty, especially the part in the forest up to the cave. After that, the track was less interesting and we're thinking of doing it again with our daughter and her children.

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VirginieLax

Apr 29, 2024 at 16:25 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The whole of the first part is magnificent; the return over the bridge is rather boring and takes us away from the gorges; we took a variant route to get back to the gorges and came back the same way we started. Few people other than climbers.

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