Saou is a region in the Drôme department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, characterized by its unique geographical features and diverse terrain. The area encompasses the Forêt de Saoû, a significant mountain range with Europe's highest perched syncline, alongside picturesque valleys, red sandstone cliffs, and tranquil villages. This varied landscape provides a backdrop for several outdoor sports, including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
The Saou region offers a wide array of outdoor activities,…
86
Routes
4.5
(775)
Average rating
4879
People visited

4.7
(101)
584
hikers
9.95km
03:26
540m
540m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(46)
268
hikers
11.4km
04:27
580m
580m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(152)
631
hikers
5.79km
01:40
140m
140m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(49)
278
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.2
(21)
133
riders
32.1km
03:28
990m
990m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.6
(14)
63
riders
27.2km
02:35
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.6
(5)
39
riders
17.3km
01:42
460m
460m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
35
riders
13.5km
01:10
220m
220m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.0
(1)
75
riders
47.4km
02:13
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

46
riders
58.8km
03:00
990m
990m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
21
riders
26.4km
01:16
380m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
63.0km
03:09
1,040m
1,040m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
80
riders
35.8km
03:44
1,030m
1,030m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(3)
71
riders
14.9km
01:05
200m
200m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.5
(6)
38
riders
33.3km
02:05
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
55
riders
14.0km
01:14
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
42
runners
5.31km
00:39
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(4)
35
runners
14.9km
02:10
610m
610m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
18
runners
31.1km
05:54
2,110m
2,110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

18
runners
22.6km
03:43
1,200m
1,200m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.0
(2)
14
riders
52.3km
05:10
1,490m
1,490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
18
riders
31.7km
02:16
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(7)
27
riders
37.1km
02:27
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
55.4km
04:10
1,260m
1,260m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Saou offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features 137 routes with an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars.
The Saou region is known for its unique geographical features, including Europe's highest perched syncline within the Forêt de Saoû. Landscapes feature red sandstone cliffs, tranquil villages, and views of the Vercors mountains. The Drôme valley also presents rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and pine forests.
Saou offers diverse hiking opportunities, including trails suitable for various skill levels. While some routes are challenging, there are also moderate options available. For more details on hiking, refer to the Hiking around Saou guide.
Saou is recognized for its mountain biking trails, often described as a 'singletrack paradise.' Routes range from moderate to hard, with significant elevation gains. These trails are suitable for riders with good fitness levels and advanced riding skills. Explore options in the MTB Trails around Saou guide.
Saou provides options for both road cycling and touring cycling. Road cyclists can find challenging stages with picturesque landscapes, while touring cyclists can enjoy multi-day routes like 'Les Chemins du Soleil.' The region's roads offer scenic descents and valley rides. More information is available in the Cycling around Saou and Road Cycling Routes around Saou guides.
Saou is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 14,000 visitors having explored its routes. The region's 137 routes have received an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Saou to help plan outdoor adventures. These include Hiking around Saou, MTB Trails around Saou, Cycling around Saou, and Running Trails around Saou. Guides for Road Cycling, Gravel Biking, and Mountain Hikes are also available.
The region offers opportunities for outdoor activities across various seasons. Multi-day cycling tours like 'Les Chemins du Soleil' are popular, suggesting favorable conditions for cycling during warmer months. Specific weather details are not provided, but the diverse landscape supports year-round exploration.
Yes, Saou provides options for running enthusiasts. There are 22 jogging routes available in the region. These trails allow for exploration of the diverse landscapes on foot. For more information, consult the Running Trails around Saou guide.
Hikers in Saou can experience a variety of landscapes, including the rugged terrain of the Forêt de Saoû and its unique syncline. Trails often provide multi-faceted views of the forest, red sandstone cliffs, and tranquil villages. Some areas feature desert-like scenery, while others offer views of the Drôme valley's rolling hills and pine forests.
Yes, Saou offers opportunities for gravel biking. The region includes routes suitable for this activity, allowing riders to explore diverse terrains beyond paved roads. A dedicated guide, Gravel biking around Saou, is available for more information.
The Forêt de Saoû is a magnificent 2,500-hectare mountain range within the Saou region. It is notable for being home to Europe's highest perched syncline, a unique geological formation. The forest offers diverse and rugged terrain, providing a backdrop for various outdoor activities.

