The west summit of Saou forest, which marks the beginning (or end) of this forest.
Start out from the village of Saou at the signpost for Roche Colombe above the church (D).
Take the road following the yellow PR waymarks (Petite Randonnée – Short Hike) and the white signs for the climbing sites (1). Further on, join the wide path that winds along the edge of the tall boxwood and oak trees.
Keep going until you reach a mountain pass (2) opposite the summit of La Poupoune, a rock-climbing Mecca, and then continue along the flat before making a last climb up to the summit of Roche Colombe (3).
Follow the path down a gentle slope before beginning a steeper descent that ends at Pas de l’Echelette (4).
Ignore the path off to the right and instead take the path to the left. Gently make your way across the more difficult passage that follows, and then continue through the forest.
Join a wide forest track and then follow the PR waymarks (5), which are clearly marked, to get back to Saou and the car park.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 1093ft
1 : mi 0.11 - alt. 1106ft - Path to the rock climbing site
2 : mi 1.12 - alt. 2172ft - Mountain pass opposite La Poupoune
3 : mi 1.83 - alt. 2884ft - Roche Colombe
4 : mi 2.53 - alt. 2310ft - Pas de l’Echelette
5 : mi 3.71 - alt. 1745ft - PR return path
D/A : mi 5.86 - alt. 1089ft
There is no water source along the way, so make sure you take enough water with you.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Saou forest.
You can visit Trianon pavilion at the end of the car park in the forest.
For information on this building, see the Pommerolle hike.
This chapel is on the ridge of the Forest of Saoû, above the ruins of an old priory. At the top of the climb from La Clastre, hikers have breathtaking views of the hanging valley of Saoû.
A circular walk on Couspeau mountain, with the summit of the Grand Delmas offering views over the surrounding mountains, particularly the 3 Becs.
Visit the Trois Becs, the high points of the Forest of Saou.
Correction: the elevation is 750 m instead of the 1071 m described.
The Saracen Caves at the ruins of the old village of Béconne provide a short walk through the woods and fields of lavender and lead you on an enjoyable route among the vestiges of the past and let you indulge your imagination.
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.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.