Circular of Pourchères via Ajoux

A hike with beautiful views, passing through chestnut forests and overlooking the Rocher d'Ajoux. Well marked.

Details

870361
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 442 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 433 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 822 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 519 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the church in Pourchères.

(S/E) Follow the yellow-marked trail, climbing to the left towards "Le Rocher Noir" for 1.3 km. At the first fork, turn left and at the next fork, follow the trail on the right (end of the tarmac). Continue to the next fork.

(1) At the crossroads, head towards Greytus on the left (small wooden sign).

(2) When you reach Greytus and its church, continue to the right for about 200 metres. At the top of the hamlet on the right, leave the road and take the path on the left and descend through the chestnut forest. Follow the path that winds through the forest.

(3) Still in the forest, turn left towards peatland, then right towards La Pra (sign) and continue downhill. You will then see a stone bridge and a stream on your left.

(4) Do not cross the bridge, but cross the stream and follow the signs for Ajoux. You will begin the climb. Continue uphill overlooking the Auzenet stream and pass the hamlet of La Pra.

(5) Walk along the road for a few metres and take the path on the right. Pass a building and a stone shelter and you will soon see the Rocher d'Ajoux. Continue along the marked path.

(6) When you reach the hamlet of Le Cros, cross it and continue along the D361 to the entrance to Lavastret.

(7) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the path on the left towards "Greytus, Ajoux, Pourchère" for a fairly steep climb. At the top of the hill, take the path lined with fences on the left. Pass a small spring and then reach the first intersection of the route.

(1) Descend via the same path to Pourchères (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 683 m - Pourchères Church
  2. 1 : km 1.23 - alt. 819 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 2.34 - alt. 735 m - Greytus
  4. 3 : km 3.88 - alt. 606 m - On the left
  5. 4 : km 4.6 - alt. 537 m - Cross the stream, near the - Auzenet (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Auzène
  6. 5 : km 5.1 - alt. 524 m - La Pra. Near the confluence of the Auzenet and - Ruisseau de Gournier (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Auzenet
  7. 6 : km 6.42 - alt. 662 m - Le Cros
  8. 7 : km 7.84 - alt. 698 m - Entrance to Lavastret
  9. S/E : km 9.77 - alt. 683 m - Pourchères Church

Notes

(6) You can take a detour via Ajoux and then rejoin the D361.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
jeanluc guilhot
jeanluc guilhot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Watch out for a steep climb before Ajoux.

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Shalva
Shalva

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, easy hike with varied landscapes, meadows, chestnut and pine woods, and beautiful views. Must be done in summer as many parts are in the woods.

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pimprenelle24nov
pimprenelle24nov

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk on Sunday, 25 August. The chestnut and oak forests provide pleasant temperatures that offer respite from this summer's heatwave. Returning by road is not ideal; a round trip may be more appealing in very hot weather.

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baroulaïres
baroulaïres
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike. Varied landscapes.
To be repeated in autumn, hoping to find some mushrooms in the chestnut trees!!!!

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jpcrando
jpcrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb, well-marked hike.
Very beautiful views throughout the hike.
And a truly perfect description.

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Gillesabine
Gillesabine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk, well described.

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Vivestido
Vivestido

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Overall, a beautiful hike... although there is a long section of tarmac (which I hate... but fortunately there is hardly any traffic).
Lots of blackberries in many areas: a real treat! Dessert guaranteed for the picnic.

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mortluiloeil
mortluiloeil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike with high points on the ridge, offering magnificent views, and low points beneath magnificent chestnut groves with pretty valleys and streams, all dotted with small hamlets and their churches! Really not far from home, what a change of scenery!
Note: there are numerous watchtowers on the ridge above Pourchères, but luckily there was no one there that day!

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ancoline
ancoline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The description and map are very well done, with magnificent views of the Alps and surrounding peaks, typical landscapes of the region.

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