On horseback across the Ambel Plateau from the Refuge de la Gardiole

Access.
From Vassieux-en-Vercors, head towards Font d’Urle via the D76, then continue along this road until you reach the junction with the D199. Follow the D199 towards the Col de la Bataille. Continue for approximately 14 km. The Refuge de la Gardiole is situated on your right-hand side at a bend in the road.
From Léoncel, follow the D199 towards the Col de la Bataille. The Refuge de la Gardiole is situated about 2.6 km further on, in a bend on your left, by the roadside.
Car park accessible to cars and vans.
Paddocks available for horses, with drinking troughs.

(S/E) Start from the Refuge de la Gardiole car park. Cross the D199 and take the^GR®® towards the Plateau d’Ambel. Open the gate to continue on the^GR®®, making sure to close it properly behind you. Continue due south until you reach a four-way junction approximately 1.4 km further on. The path follows the valley to a junction.

(1) Leave the return path on your left and turn right at a right angle towards the Ferme d’Ambel (Refuge), which is clearly visible from your position and marked on the IGN map. Continue along the^GR®®.

(2) Pass close to the Ferme d’Ambel (on your right). A spring channelled into a basin provides water for horses if needed. Continue along the^GR®® and enter a beech forest. The path turns left; follow the^GR®® markings as it climbs through the woods.
On this section, you’ll need to go through an electric fence gate. Make sure you close it properly behind you. Pass a farm on your left and, shortly afterwards, leave the forest and arrive at a GR®® junction^.

(3) Stay on the^GR®® on the left and ignore the one heading off to the right. It climbs towards the ridges to reach the Croix d’Ambel. Enjoy the 360° view.

(4) Continue along the path (^GR®®) which follows an electric fence to the Bergerie de Saint-Julien-en-Quint. The view begins to open up, offering a foretaste of the landscape and viewpoints to be discovered along the rest of the route.
Continue along the ridge on the^GR®®, which climbs more steeply up a path to reach the highest point of the route, the Tête de la Dame at 1 ,506 m. The effort of the climb is quickly forgotten, such is the magnificence of the 360° view.

(5) Carry on following the ridges and begin the descent along the grassy path. Take care: horses with shoes may slip. We made the descent on foot. The^GR®® continues to follow the ridge path; carry on towards a sheepfold (Bergerie de Saint-Julien-en-Quint, marked on the IGN map).

(6) Enter a paddock through a gate (make sure to close it properly behind you), and continue along the^GR®® for about a hundred metres until you reach the GR®® junction^.

(7) Ignore the path on the right towards the Pas d’Ambel; follow the^GR®® which branches off to the left towards the Refuge du Tubannet. It follows a path across the meadows. Pass close to the karstic cave of the Four Gorges. Where there are no trees or fence posts, the^GR®® markings are less frequent but follow the path towards the woods. It is therefore fairly easy to follow. You will come to a gate just before a forest track.

(8) Go through the gate (make sure to close it properly) and rejoin the forest track. At this point, the^GR®® splits into three. Ignore the path branching off to the right at a right angle, as well as the right-hand branch of the forest track. Follow the^GR®® along the left-hand branch of the forest track, heading due north towards the Refuge du Tubanet. After about 300 m, you’ll reach a junction, a few dozen metres before the refuge. You can water your horses at the Refuge du Tubanet’s paddock, which is supplied by a spring.

(9) Please note: at the junction, the signpost is hidden by branches. Continue left along the path, which runs through the woods and emerges again after about 500 m.

(10) Go through another fence (open the gate and close it behind you), then turn right at the edge of the woodland. The^GR®® climbs slightly before entering the woodland again.

(11) Go through another gate. Carry on to reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right and follow the path back in the opposite direction towards the Refuge de la Gardiole, after passing through the barrier once more and crossing the D119 (S/E).

⚠️ Between 1 July and 15 September,Prefectural Order DDT-SEF-2026-0176 of 4 June 2026 concerningthe temporary restriction of access to the Saoû Forest and the Ambel Plateau in the event of a fire risk, assessed on a daily basis. A map is published every evening (around 5.30 pm) for the following day.

Please take care in poor visibility (fog, rain), as there is a risk of not seeing the drop-offs at the ridges and cliffs.

Please note: Access is restricted at certain times of the year so as not to disturb the local wildlife (including the rutting season of the red deer).

Please note: Access to the karstic cave of the Four Gorges is prohibited (risk of rockfalls).

There is a paddock and a watered trough at the Refuge de la Gardiole.
No booking required for a one-night stay at the Refuge de la Gardiole.
There is a paddock and a water trough at the Refuge du Tubanet.

The ridges and plateau are exposed to strong winds; please ensure you are suitably equipped.

The Plateau d’Ambel is a “sensitive natural area” and specific regulations apply there.
See the website: https://www.ladrome.fr/mon-quotidien/env...

Exceptional panoramic views at the Tête de la Dame.
Nearby is the Font d’Urle mountain pasture.
Panoramic views at the Col de la Bataille (car park).
Panoramic views at the Pas de l’Aubasse (car park).