Le pas du Loup

Description

History, culture and heritage

The gullies of the Monts du Matin

One of the special features of this area is a series of four well-marked openings or "goulets" between Beauregard-Baret, Rochefort-Samson, Barbières and St-Vincent-la-Commanderie. The torrents of the Monts du Matin, then more vigorous, built large alluvial cones or "portals" carved into the mountain. The combe d'Oyans, which opens onto a landscape of valleys and hills, is one of the most beautiful gullies in the Monts du Matin. In the Middle Ages, the narrow gorge was dominated by the Château de Rochefort, which controlled access.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

1/ From the parking lot, follow the small road up the valley towards "Les Marelles". At "Marelles", take the path on the right. At the junction, take the left-hand track to the "Ducs" crossroads. On the left, cross the hamlet to reach the climbing site parking lot (alt. 443m). Continue up the road towards "Col Saint-Genis".
2/ At the first bend, the path climbs straight up under the box trees and crosses meadows. Close the gates tightly. Take the left-hand road leading to "Col Saint-Genis" (alt. 529m).
3/ Descend along the narrow road. At the bottom, at the "Combes" crossroads, take the path that dips to the left. Cross the stream, go up into the meadow and take a wide path that rises into the "Vallon des Cléments". At the "Éperon-des-Ussets" crossroads, follow the left-hand path which winds through marl, then climbs the ridge to the "Montagne-des-Ussets" crossroads (alt. 805m).
4/ Turn left, pass the cave and cross "Le pas du Loup" (alt. 810m). Continue on a pleasant forest path to "Col de Sonnaize". Walk past the hut towards "Saint-Iserat". Walk flat through the undergrowth. When you reach the shoulder, go down the other side. At Saint-Iserat, continue straight on to the "Draye-des-Vachers" crossroads (alt. 620m).
5/ Take the left-hand path downhill. It twists and turns through the woods, skirting the Condamine mountain, skirting fences, rising slightly to descend again to the Beaufavier hillside. Reach the "Combe-d'Oyans" parking lot (alt. 370m).

Opening periods