Canyon des Gueulards

A complete change of scene in this superb canyon between two narrow cliffs. An unusual place where a crevasse plunges into nowhere, with a peaceful and shady atmosphere between boulders, lichens and ferns.

Technical sheet

4098302
A Omblèze walk posted on 25/04/15 by djhoward. Last update : 04/05/19
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.02 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 485 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 478 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,017 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 582 m
Canyon des Gueulards

Description

The start is located on the D578 between Plan de Baix and Omblèze in the gorges. Pass the Moulin de la Pipe and park just before the Cascade de la Pissoire waterfall, a place called "Baume Noire".

(S) The trail climbs to the north through the forest, starting a few dozen meters before the waterfall (yellow and green markers).
At the first intersection (1), turn right and pass the gate, continue in the direction of the Ferme du Pescher.

When you exit the forest, before the farm, take a return trip to the left, crossing a ford to go see the natural bridge where the Comberoufle stream flows(2) .

Go between the farm buildings and when you exit them, fork left and continue north in the direction of the Canyon des Gueulards. You'll reach the start of the canyon after a fairly steep descent (3).

You then begin to walk through the narrow canyon between two cliffs. Two passages are equipped with ladders set into the rock.

When leaving the canyon (after approximately 1 hour), consider continuing a dozen meters to see the walkway and the old bridge(4), which you cross.

After having exited the canyon, turn left and ignore the marked path on the right(5). Go across the walkway (4) and continue on a poorly-marked trail that goes past a ruin and follows grassland on the right to join the GR9 (6).

Follow this on the left in a southerly direction (don't cross the small stream, you will have gone too far). Walk up through a pleasant beech forest and reach the Chaffal ruins (spot height 1021) (7).

Resume the descent on the GR9, join the forest track and follow it for a few meters, leaving it (8) by forking left (spot height 999 ) in the direction "Gorges d'Omblèze" / "Le Grand Cros".

Follow the well marked trail (yellow and green markers) until the crossroads of the Grand Cros (1) and take the path back to the start point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 582 m
  2. 1 : km 0.58 - alt. 658 m - Grand Cros, turn right
  3. 2 : km 0.96 - alt. 640 m - Natural bridge
  4. 3 : km 2.04 - alt. 673 m - Beginning of the canyon
  5. 4 : km 3.87 - alt. 781 m - Walkway and old bridge
  6. 5 : km 3.91 - alt. 780 m - Turn left
  7. 6 : km 4.19 - alt. 817 m - Turn left on the GR9
  8. 7 : km 5.42 - alt. 1,017 m - Chaffal ruins
  9. 8 : km 5.59 - alt. 993 m - Spot height 999
  10. S/E : km 8.02 - alt. 582 m

Useful Information

No drinking water available on the walk.
The trail in the canyon can be slippery, especially in wet weather.
The ford you take to access the natural bridge is not obvious when there is a lot of water.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Cascade de la Pissoire.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
Warren735
Warren735
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 18/06/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

You need to keep an eye on the track notes and GPS trace as you are following different trails at different times.
The GPS trace does have some errors on two sections however the trail is obvious on these sections. The trails are marked on https://www.openstreetmap.org/ so this can be used as a base map.

Robeto12
Robeto12
• Last modified:

Definitely i shoud try this


rstandring
rstandring

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 25/05/17
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent walk which we managed to complete with 4 children and 2 dogs! Made a good change from our usual mountain hikes - everyone enjoyed clambering through the gorge. Very pretty and unusual, highly recommended. Only point - follow carefully the instructions when leaving the canyon. We were chatting and admiring the view and missed the turning back to the GR9 adding on an extra couple of km to our walk!

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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