Circular Route of the Douzes via the Pellalergues and Castèle ravines

Starting from Les Douzes, a lovely (and short) hike through the “ravines” of Pellalergues on the way out, and La Castèle on the way back.

Best undertaken in dry weather (slippery ground, especially on the descent)

Details

18712522
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 478 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 471 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 885 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 486 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Douzes car park, on the edge of the D996, in the bend at the foot of Roc Saint-Gervais, before the hamlet of Les Douzes when coming from Le Rozier.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, follow the D996 to the left (east) for about 250 m.

(1) Just before the hamlet of Les Douzes, turn right onto the path towards La Jonte. At the old mill, take the concrete footbridge on the right to cross La Jonte.

(2) At the end of the footbridge, at a T-junction, follow the Ravin de Pellalergues path to the left. Climb steadily to reach a beautiful viewpoint over the Gorges de la Jonte.

(3) Continue along the signposted path, which heads south and climbs up the Ravin de Pellalergues. This will take you to the D584.

(4) Follow the road to the right, towards Veyreau. Further on, at a crossroads, ignore the access road to the hamlet of Pouget on the right and continue for about 150 m along the road.

(5) Then take a path on the left. After about 200 m, cross the road you left earlier and continue along the path opposite. Return to the road (cross) and follow it to the right to enter the village of Veyreau. Walk to the church.

(6) Then turn right onto the road towards Villaret. Ignore a small lane on the left and head north. Stay on the tarmac and ignore the side paths.

(7) After a sharp left-hand bend, take the Ravin de Castèle path on the right (marker on a rock). Follow the signposted path northwards. If you walk quietly, you may spot vultures on the cliffs. The path descends to the Jonte and reaches the footbridge near the old mill.

(2) Cross the Jonte again, then turn left to join the D996.

(1) Follow the road to the left to quickly reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 498 m - Car park at the foot of the - Roc Saint-Gervais
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 498 m - Junction
  3. 2 : km 0.74 - alt. 489 m - Crossroads of the circular loop - Jonte (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 719 m - Viewpoint over the Gorges de la Jonte
  5. 4 : km 4.3 - alt. 873 m - D584 road
  6. 5 : km 5.42 - alt. 865 m - Start of the trail
  7. 6 : km 6.24 - alt. 877 m - Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Veyreau)
  8. 7 : km 7.13 - alt. 849 m - Castèle Ravine Trail
  9. S/E : km 10.36 - alt. 498 m - Car park at the foot of the - Roc Saint-Gervais

Notes

Good walking boots are essential, as the descent is relatively technical. Walking poles may also be useful.

There is a water source at Veyreau, but it is not accessible in freezing conditions.

Worth a visit

- Roc St Gervais, with its chapel and cemetery perched atop the rock
- Belvédère des Vautours at Le Truel (municipality of St Pierre-des-Tripiers)

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
RCPPV
RCPPV

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A bit of a climb to start with.
Beautiful views.
A pretty village.

Machine-translated

Germonneau
Germonneau

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

a pleasant walk, but nothing special

Machine-translated

marizou1957
marizou1957

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. The climb is fairly gentle through the woods. Once you reach the plateau, you pass through the pretty little village of Veyreau. The descent, however, is very technical and dizzying.

Machine-translated

Guilène R
Guilène R

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent and well-signposted hike.
The ascent starts gently and gradually leads up to the plateau, but the descent is very technical and vertiginous.
Not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

Machine-translated

André Faure
André Faure
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.