Circular from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye to Fouillouse

de fr

An easy circular loop that takes you from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye to the hamlet of Fouillouse, alternating between river and forest in absolute tranquillity.

Details

n°14502622
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 567 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 576 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,948 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,447 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Ubaye Gorges from the Châtelet bridge
Hamlet of Fouillouse
Hamlet of Fouillouse
View of the Grande Serenne

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the village of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye.

(S/E) Walk along the road out of the village until you reach a crossroads about 800 m after the start.

(1) Take the road that descends to the right, pass in front of a chapel and join the Ubaye River at Pont de L'Estrech.

(2) Cross the bridge, turn left and follow the river on its left bank. Continue until you reach the sign for the Petite Serenne bridge.

(3) Turn right uphill onto the path shared bythe GR®6and GR 56 as well asthe GRP® de la Frontière Fortifiée. Enter the forest and, after a steep climb, you will reach the Charjouret signpost crossroads.

(4) Turn left to reach the hamlet of Fouillouse. Cross it by taking the road on the left and head to the car park at the entrance to the hamlet.

(5) Leave the road here and turn right onto the red and white markedGR®5. At the Les Vistes signpost, continue straight ahead and downhill on theGR® to find the Route de Fouillouse signpost.

(6) Cross it and leave theGR® here to take the path downhill opposite. You will reach the Pont de Grande Serenne bridge.

(7) Continue left along the left bank of the Ubaye to reach the Pont Petite Serenne crossroads, which you already passed on the way there.

(3) Retrace your steps to return to the car park at Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,469 m - Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye car park
  2. 1 : km 0.82 - alt. 1,470 m - Road junction - Ubaye (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 1,455 m - Pont de l'Estrech
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 1,485 m - Petite Serenne Bridge
  5. 4 : km 5.47 - alt. 1,907 m - Charjouret beacon
  6. 5 : km 6.24 - alt. 1,879 m - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet.
  7. 6 : km 8.16 - alt. 1,682 m - Beacon Route de Fouillouse
  8. 7 : km 9.09 - alt. 1,506 m - Grande Serenne Bridge
  9. S/E : km 12.23 - alt. 1,468 m - Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye car park

Notes

You can stock up on water and food in the village of Fouillouse.
Take water, food, a windbreaker, fleece and tell someone if you are going alone.

Worth a visit

(6) Pont du Châtelet. You can take a detour by turning right at this magnificent bridge spanning the Ubaye.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 13099635

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Machine-translated

User 1809010

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, I highly recommend it - the only downside: why start in Saint-Paul-Sur-Ubbaye, which is completely uninteresting for nearly 1 km (following the road in full sun!!!): perhaps to attract tourists to the village??? Apart from that, the hike from the Estrech bridge is really beautiful.

Machine-translated

cigalelc
cigalelc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on this hot day, with plenty of shade on the way up and almost all the way down. Departure from the Estrech bridge. The Fouillouse footbridge is covered.

Machine-translated

beajouan
beajouan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, done twice a few days apart at the end of April. Very well marked, with a steady climb through the forest in the first part, perfect for getting back into shape after winter. Beautiful scenery, especially in the large meadow before arriving in Fouillouse, after following the river, and before descending via a pretty circular route. Lots of flowers, several marmots and still some snowfields. Didn't meet anyone. Will do it again in the autumn (the route is probably busier in the summer). Thank you!

Machine-translated

Marc heur
Marc heur
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I would recommend starting not from Saint Paul sur Ubaye, as there are very few parking spaces in the village, but rather from the Estrech bridge, which is located at the edge of the village. This will save you from walking along the road for at least 800 metres (there is a small car park just before the bridge).
The hike is pleasant, through the forest on both the ascent and descent. So there is plenty of shade, which is appreciated, especially on the way up.
I can confirm that the footbridge at the entrance to the hamlet of Fouillouse is impassable. A detour well before the descent to this footbridge is signposted. The Riou de Fouillouse can therefore be crossed via another footbridge located a few hundred metres from the one that is not recommended. In the hamlet of Fouillouse, you can enjoy a drink or a meal at the two establishments there.
Hike completed on 23 August 2024.

Machine-translated

ronsard41
ronsard41

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, very nice route. We made a detour to see the Pont du Chatelet bridge, a wonderful discovery and not to be missed.

Machine-translated

Lau Deotto
Lau Deotto

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route taken yesterday on a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Lots of shade along the way, which was very welcome. No difficulties.
Please note that access to the Fouillouse footbridge is prohibited. We did not see any signs before arriving there. You must continue to the next footbridge by following the recent tracks (off the trail) near the river or change the route from point 4.
The short return trip to the Chatelet bridge is well worth it.

Machine-translated

Thomas Jacques
Thomas Jacques

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This is a pleasant little hike through a beautiful forest, with the option of visiting the strange fort at Plate Lombarde from Fouillousse.

Machine-translated

elianerandos
elianerandos

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike on 23/10/2021, under clear skies and among larch and deciduous trees changing colour... with the majestic Brec du Chambeyron in the background.
No technical difficulty
The directions provided by Visorando and the signage could be improved

Machine-translated

fluellen83
fluellen83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2014
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike.
Cool and refreshing along the banks of the Ubaye, a nice climb after the Serenne bridge, and a mountain atmosphere in Fouillouse beneath the impressive Brec de Chambeyron.
This little hamlet is quite busy in summer as it is the starting point for the Chambeyron lakes. But you hardly meet anyone else for the rest of the hike.
I took the liberty of making a short 600m round trip to the Châtelet bridge because the view overlooking the gorges is impressive. Not to be missed.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Crête de Tournoux via Serre de l'Aut

Visorando member
Crête de Tournoux par le Serre de l'Aut
↔10.54 km ↗+725 m ↘-725 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Starting from the village of Tournoux, hike to discover the upper military remains of Fort de Tournoux: the Fort des Corres battery, the Serre de l'Aut fort, the observation post and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel, via a ridge trail with remarkable views.

Walking Short cultural hike above the hamlet of Fouillouse

Visorando member
Petite randonnée culturelle au-dessus du hameau de Fouillouse
↔3.56 km ↗+199 m ↘-200 m ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
This easy and varied circular walk will allow you to discover the landscapes and peaks of the upper Ubaye Valley. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit some defence posts, remnants of the Second World War. Before starting the walk, at the entrance to the car park, read the information panel about the Fouillouse stronghold and the battle of June 1940. On the way back, you can take a short break in the hamlet of Fouillouse to enjoy a tartlet and a cold drink.

Walking Tour of Brec Chambeyron

Visorando member
Le Tour du Brec Chambeyron
↔19.83 km ↗+1,447 m ↘-1,449 m ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
A loop around Brec de Chambeyron, leaving from the hamlet of Fouillouse.

Walking Tête de la Fréma

Visorando member
Tête de la Fréma
↔20.40 km ↗+1,256 m ↘-1,255 m ◔9h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Hike to a very accessible 3,000-metre peak on the border, offering a beautiful panoramic view of Italy and the high peaks of the Ubaye. The route is enhanced by visits to several lakes, including the Neufs Couleurs lake nestled in its basin at the foot of the Fréma, Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron.

Walking Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range

Visorando member
Autour du Chambeyron
↔58.28 km ↗+3,999 m ↘-4,201 m ◔5 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Reaching over 3000 metres in altitude, Aiguilles de Chambeyron and Brec de Chambeyron form an impressive mountain range halfway between Queyras and the Moncantour. This hike offers a trek with no techincal difficulty, with passes over 2700 m in altitude and a summit of over 3000 m. Set in an outstanding landscape and for the most part within a high mountain setting.

Walking Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range (1) Fouillouse - Refuge du Chambeyron

Visorando member
De Fouillouse au Refuge du Chambeyron
↔6.25 km ↗+753 m ↘-11 m ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
First stage around the Chambeyron Mountain Range which, after a steady climb, takes you to the shelter with the same name. You'll end up in a breath-taking setting, at the foot of Brec de Chambeyron.

Walking Lac des Neuf Couleurs below Brec de Chambeyron

Visorando member
Lac des Neuf Couleurs sous le Brec de chambeyron
↔15.23 km ↗+969 m ↘-970 m ◔7h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Hike leading to the Lac des Neuf Couleurs surrounded by the Aiguille de Chambeyron, the Brec de Chambeyron and the Tête de la Fréma, just a stone's throw from the French-Italian border.The hike includes high-altitude lakes, rivers, waterfalls, animals depending on the time of day and your luck (marmots, chamois, etc.), scree slopes, and more.

Walking Pointe de l'Eyssina

Visorando member
Pointe de l'Eyssina
↔8.90 km ↗+719 m ↘-719 m ◔4h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
A magnificent hike that takes you along a pleasant ridge to a summit with spectacular views. Breathtaking 360° panorama of the Embrunais, Dévoluy, Écrins, Queyras and Ubaye. The route is on an unmarked trail, so you will need to supplement the description with the Visorando app.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.