Circular walk around Mount Taillade

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A very lovely walk, half through woodland and half along a forest track. Magnificent views of the Saint-Jean Chapel, perched on its rock. After a climb up a narrow woodland path, you can admire the stunning scenery along the ridge.

Details

n°16312597
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.89 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 860 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 856 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,411 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,552 ft
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Photos

Col de la Croix
View over the Ollon valley
View over the Ollon valley
The Saint-Jean d’Ollon Chapel on its rock

Description of the walk

After passing through the village of Benivay-sur-Ollon, continue along the road towards the Col de la Vote. You’ll see a large, well-maintained car park on your left.

(S/E) Cross the ford via the small makeshift bridge and head up the forest track. At the three-way junction, keep to the right; do not head towards the Chapelle Saint-Jean. Continue straight on until you reach the small bridge spanning the Eyguemarse.

(1) Just before the bridge, take the small path on the right: be careful, it’s quite inconspicuous. Follow it; it climbs fairly steadily but isn’t particularly difficult. The woodland is pleasant and you’ll be lulled by the sound of the stream.

(2) When you reach a small outcrop, before turning right, take a moment to look at the viewpoint on your left and the deep valley below. Continue along the path until you soon emerge onto a wider track out of the woodland, following the ridge: the views are spectacular all the way.

(3) Carry on straight ahead until you reach a forest track.

(4) Carry on, turning right, and continue until you reach the junction with a small road.

(5) Turn right and carry on until you reach the junction with a path on your left.

(6) Take this path and continue down the gentle slope towards the finish.

(7) At the three-way junction, keep left. Pass a pretty pond on your right, and a few hundred metres further on, don’t forget to admire the Chapelle Saint-Jean directly in front of you. Head to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,552 ft - Car park provided
  2. 1 : mi 0.86 - alt. 1,722 ft - Eyguemarse (rivière) - Afffluent de l'Ouvèze
  3. 2 : mi 1.35 - alt. 2,093 ft - Viewpoint
  4. 3 : mi 1.55 - alt. 2,300 ft - Exit from the woodland
  5. 4 : mi 1.89 - alt. 2,411 ft - Forest track
  6. 5 : mi 2.4 - alt. 2,178 ft - Road junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.54 - alt. 2,119 ft - Path on the left
  8. 7 : mi 3.42 - alt. 1,795 ft - Three-way junction
  9. S/E : mi 3.89 - alt. 1,555 ft - Car park provided

Notes

The walk is easy; the path through the woodland at the start is a little steep but safe. Wearing trainers or high-top shoes, you won’t have any trouble.

Dry toilets at (S/E).

Thanks to the ‘Les Sabots d’Ollon’ association.

Worth a visit

Saint-Jean Chapel on the opposite hillside.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
Karel Beauvoisin
Karel Beauvoisin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this walk and would add the Col de la Croix, which offers views of the Beauvoisin valley. The elevation gain isn't huge, but it's almost all in one go. The rest of the route is easy. A very pleasant walk.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your feedback
Glad to hear you enjoyed it
However, I couldn’t find a public path to avoid the tarmac

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Marc Vandevelde
Marc Vandevelde

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

We followed Yam26’s advice at point 4 and took the path on the left towards the Col de la Croix, which offers a splendid panoramic view. A pleasant path, which continues to offer beautiful views of the mountains, descends gently towards point 694, where it crosses the track leading north to point 5. The detour adds a good half an hour to the walk. The rest of the route, with its many bends, is less interesting.

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PascalROU
PascalROU
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant start to the walk, along a shaded track and the “Les Sabots d’Ollon” association’s trail (route 8), which runs alongside a gorge for a while before overlooking it. From this point (4), the route follows a track and then a very monotonous tarmac road – which is a shame in such a wild valley. There’s a lovely picnic area at the start/finish. (S/E)

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Yam26
Yam26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The signposting is excellent, but I’d recommend extending the walk by about 1.6 km via the Col de La Croix, which offers a stunning view of Mont Ventoux to the south-east and is an ideal spot for a picnic. On this lovely, windless winter’s day, it was perfect for lunch there.
The second part of the signposted route, which skips this spot, is rather dull without this detour. It’s a real shame, especially as the difference in altitude – barely 50 m – is more than made up for by the variety of scenery on offer.

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