Towards the Rochers de Presles

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This forest hike will take you to the edge of the Presles cliffs, where you can discover some spectacular scenery.
Not for those who are afraid of heights!

Details

n°9695013
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 579 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 583 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,278 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 839 m
Downloads
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Photos

La Goulandière
The Pétouze fountain
View of the Presles cliffs

Description of the walk

Park in the village of Presles, in the car park next to the wash house.

(S/E) Leave the village heading east on the small road to reach the Croix Sappey, which is a slight climb.

(1) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite, following the signs for the Fontaine de Pétouze. Continue to the houses in Bournet.

(2) Continue following the signs and turn right, heading south, after a hundred metres, towards the Fontaine de Pétouze. When you reach the road, continue left to reach the fountain.

(3) Take the small road you took on the way there and turn left onto the path that climbs towards La Goulandière. Pass close to the Grotte de Pra l'Étang cave, where you can take a detour to the left. Return to the path and continue to Beauregard at theGR®9crossroads.

(4) Turn right and follow the red and white markings to reach Pot de l'Aigle first, then the junction with theGRP® du Tour des Coulmes.

(5) Turn right onto the red and yellow markedGRP® trail and climb to reach the junction leading to the Rochers de Presles cliffs.

(6) Turn left to reach the edge of the cliffs.
Please note: the edge of the cliffs is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights, and it is strongly advised not to go there in foggy weather or when visibility is poor.

(7) Return to the previous crossroads.

(6) Turn left onto theGRP® and follow the red and yellow markings, continuing downhill to reach a small 1 km round trip to the cliffs. Do not attempt in foggy weather.
Retrace your steps from the cliffs and continue downhill. You will reach a fork after a left/right circular loop.

(8) Stay on theGRP® trail, following the signs for Presles. Continue along this path towards the north. Cross the Reziron woods to reach a road junction.

(9) Turn left and walk a few metres, then immediately take the path on the left, which is still theGRP®. You will reach the hamlet of Le Charmeil.

(10) Continue straight ahead, passing the hamlet of Bonnette. Continue through the woods on an almost flat path, following the red and yellowGRP® markings. Leave the forest to reach the D292 road, turn right at the crossroads to return to the Presles wash house car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 858 m - Car park at the Presles wash house
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 890 m - The Sappey Cross
  3. 2 : km 2.12 - alt. 947 m - Bournet
  4. 3 : km 4.02 - alt. 1,111 m - Petouze fountain
  5. 4 : km 5.52 - alt. 1,263 m - Beauregard
  6. 5 : km 7.22 - alt. 1,122 m - The top of La Goulandière
  7. 6 : km 8.64 - alt. 1,181 m - Crossroads towards the cliffs - Falaises de Presles
  8. 7 : km 9.09 - alt. 1,192 m - Falaises de Presles
  9. 8 : km 10.44 - alt. 1,004 m - Crossroads towards Presles
  10. 9 : km 11.72 - alt. 1,029 m - Reziron
  11. 10 : km 12.87 - alt. 913 m - Charmeil
  12. S/E : km 15.94 - alt. 857 m - Car park at the Presles wash house

Notes

(3) The Pétouze fountain flows practically all year round.
(6) In foggy weather, there is no point in making a detour via the cliffs.

Worth a visit

(5)GR®GRP® crossroads: You can extend the hike by visiting the ghost village of La Goulandière and Le Banc du Ranc.
(7) Falaises des Rochers de Presles: Extraordinary view of the Bourne and its gorges as well as the Cirque du Bournillon.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
b.b38590
b.b38590

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant route, superb view upon arrival at the Presles rocks.

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miccosta
miccosta

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 : No

Superb hike through the woods with excellent views

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maran04
maran04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 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, certainly one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done.
The route is 90% shaded and magnificent, and the section towards Torquemada is best done on a clear day!
Truly top notch.
Highly recommended.

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BALADEAUBERT
BALADEAUBERT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in lovely weather, so we were able to enjoy some nice shade.
As there are only a limited number of viewpoints, we went from point "5" to the Goulandiére shelter and the Pas du Ranc viewpoint.
To reach point "6" on the map, we took the forest path that starts on the left at an altitude of 1,070 metres on the way back – a path that is not often used but still clearly visible.
An excellent hike through these beautiful forests.
Encountering a stag and its antlers was enchanting.
We'll do it again when the ground is a little less wet.

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Nicolas C
Nicolas C

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route. The route to take for peace of mind.

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J3rome
J3rome

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 5 hours, no difficulty unless you are prone to vertigo or accompanied by children, on a few metres near the cliffs, with views of the Presles cliffs.
No other hikers on this Sunday in September.
The hike is in the forest, with a viewpoint overlooking the Presles cliffs at one point.
No difficulties, but there are many unmarked paths that can cause uncertainty about the route. The GPX track is useful for avoiding route errors.

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M No
M No

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful route with splendid views of the ridges at Torcemada.
No difficulty following the markings.
Very shady. Thank you for the description.

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squal26
squal26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
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 that can be done even in hot weather because it is entirely in the woods, which is rare for such a long distance.
The view from the cliffs is truly magnificent (stay alert if you have children) and well worth the detour.
For photography enthusiasts, this is the ideal spot for a panoramic shot.
Be sure to stop at the Presles inn, which is listed in the Routard guide.
Great, and thank you to the author...

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aubert.montelier
aubert.montelier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route without any major difficulties, which can be done in hot weather thanks to the shade. Two points of interest are the cave and the magnificent view at Torquemada (point 7). Follow the route carefully with a map or the excellent Visorando trail. Thank you for this hike, which allowed us to spend a wonderful day starting from the beautiful village of Presles.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.