Scialet des Quatre Gorges circular loop

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A hike around the Plateau d'Ambel to explore its hidden depths and vertiginous cliffs. Interesting in all seasons, and equally so when done in the opposite direction.

Details

n°20272959
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.90 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,594 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,568 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,921 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,701 ft
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Photos

View from the top of the plateau
Karstic cave of the Four Gorges

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Refuge Gardiol.

(S/E) Take the wide path opposite, which climbs gently, to reach the crossroads at the edge of the forest with ease.

(1) Continue along the wide path on the left. Walk through the large clearing until you reach the junction with theGR®®93.

(2) Turn left onto it, quickly enter the beech forest and continue up a gentle slope to the Refuge de Tubanet.

(3) Turn right, staying on theGR®®, then leave it at the next crossroads to continue into another clearing. Go through the gate and carry on along the path, heading due south, until you reach the enclosure guarding the entrance to the karstic cave of the Four Gorges.

(4) Continue along the path to reach a Y-junction.

(5) Here you have two options:
- turn left to reach the Pas d’Ambel, then continue along the ridge path to the right to reach the Carrefour des Moutons,
- continue straight ahead – this is the route described in the guide – keep left at the next junction and follow the gentle climb to the Moutons junction, with its enclosure and its Patou dogs in season.

(6) Here, too, there are two options:
- go round the enclosure and head towards the cliffs by following the unmarked but clearly visible path on the left to reach the Pas de Rouisse crossroads; please note that this route is not recommended for those prone to vertigo or in strong winds,
- stay on the path on the right, as shown on the map, to also reach the Pas de Rouisse.

(7) Continue on, turning right to reach the Tête de la Dame.

(8) Begin the descent along the cliffs. You will reach the junction with theGRP®® Grand Tour de la Gervanne.

(9) Take the path opposite and continue the descent, following the red and yellow markings.

(10) Pass the Pas de la Garde, then the Croix d’Ambel, and reach the Pas du Gouillat and the end of the cliffs.

(11) Turn right onto theGR®® 93, marked in red and white, and head into the forest. You’ll come to the springs and the watering place for livestock located just before the Ferme d’Ambel.

(12) Leave theGR®® here, turn left and walk past this farm. Continue into the Combe de la Louvaterre and return to the junction with the wide path you took on the way out.

(1) Turn left and follow the route back in the opposite direction to easily return to the car park at the Refuge Gardiol (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,701 ft - Car park at the - Refuge Gardiol (1122m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 3,789 ft - Crossroads at the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.91 - alt. 3,927 ft - GR93
  4. 3 : mi 2.53 - alt. 4,357 ft - Refuge de Tubanet
  5. 4 : mi 3.22 - alt. 4,318 ft - Scialet des Quatre Gorges (Plateau d'Ambel)
  6. 5 : mi 3.56 - alt. 4,350 ft - Crossroads towards the - Pas d'Abel (1396m)
  7. 6 : mi 4.35 - alt. 4,613 ft - Les Moutons
  8. 7 : mi 5.18 - alt. 4,606 ft - Pas de Rousse (1406m)
  9. 8 : mi 5.68 - alt. 4,921 ft - Tête de la Dame (1506m)
  10. 9 : mi 6.51 - alt. 4,537 ft - GRP
  11. 10 : mi 6.96 - alt. 4,321 ft - Pas de la Garde (1320m)
  12. 11 : mi 7.43 - alt. 4,337 ft - Pas du Gouillat (1328m)
  13. 12 : mi 7.98 - alt. 4,042 ft - Sources - Refuge d'Ambel
  14. S/E : mi 8.9 - alt. 3,701 ft - Gardiol Refuge car park

Notes

Between (6) and (7): Take care here in foggy or windy conditions.
(7) Water treated with Micropure.

⚠️ 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.

Worth a visit

(4) Karstic cave of the Four Gorges: it is possible to visit it by entering from the bottom. Please take care not to approach the other three holes.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ludivine173
ludivine173

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk with stunning views, lots of flowers including blue gentians,
magnificent landscape, the path is easy, with a few gentle climbs here and there, but it remains very accessible. However, the karstic cave is no longer open to visitors. A shame, but it remains a very beautiful hike to do in the southern Vercors.

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dolcevito
dolcevito

Please note: part of the karstic cave of the 4 Gorges has collapsed

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User 17997309

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completed the circular on 7 October, encountered very few people and heard the deer bellowing in the early morning.
Very nice view of the plateau, but impossible to access the karstic cave (rocky crevice) as there is a barrier preventing access, which greatly detracts from the appeal of this hike...
Still a nice walk to do with the family to get some fresh air

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Capucine S
Capucine S

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Ambel plateau is a truly magical place... in fine weather, the views and scenery are spectacular, but this time I was hiking in the clouds, which added a mysterious atmosphere to the walk at the start of autumn. I’d love to do it again and again!

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fxcoudert
fxcoudert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike, with quite a few people out and about on this lovely day. Set off early to avoid the hottest part of the day in summer, as there isn’t much shade along the route.

A slightly shorter version (suitable for children, for example) that we tried is a return trip along the western section, from the Gardiol refuge to the Tête de la Dame, via the Ferme d'Ambel and the Pas du Gouillat (starting in the opposite direction to the route described here). This return trip allows you to enjoy the stunning scenery over a total distance of 11 km.

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JL2669
JL2669
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike with stunning scenery.
Best avoided in the afternoon or when it’s too sunny, as part of the route has no shade. It’s best to set off early in the morning.
For our part, at the Tubanet refuge (point 3), we took a slight detour to visit the "Pierre de l'Ours"

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