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: 14.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 486 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 478 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,500 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,128 m
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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 Refuge Gardiol car park.

(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 to reach the junction with theGR®93.

(2) Turn left here, 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 junction to continue into a new clearing. Go through the gate and continue along the path, heading due south, to 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 there are two options:
- turn left to reach the Pas d'Ambel, then continue along the ridge path to the right and reach the Carrefour des Moutons,
- continue straight ahead, which is the route described here; keep left at the next junction and follow the gentle climb to the Moutons junction with its enclosure and its sheepdogs 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. Reach the junction of theGRP® Grand Tour de la Gervanne.

(9) Take this path straight ahead and continue the descent, following the red and yellow markings.

(10) Pass the Pas de la Garde and then the Croix d'Ambel to 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 will come to the springs and watering hole for livestock located 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 taken 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 : km 0 - alt. 1,128 m - Car park at - Refuge Gardiol (1122m)
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 1,155 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.46 - alt. 1,197 m - GR93
  4. 3 : km 4.07 - alt. 1,328 m - Refuge de Tubanet
  5. 4 : km 5.19 - alt. 1,316 m - Scialet des Quatre Gorges (Plateau d'Ambel)
  6. 5 : km 5.73 - alt. 1,326 m - Crossroads towards the - Pas d'Abel (1396m)
  7. 6 : km 7 - alt. 1,406 m - Les Moutons
  8. 7 : km 8.34 - alt. 1,404 m - Pas de Rousse (1406m)
  9. 8 : km 9.14 - alt. 1,500 m - Tête de la Dame (1506m)
  10. 9 : km 10.48 - alt. 1,383 m - GRP
  11. 10 : km 11.21 - alt. 1,317 m - Pas de la Garde (1320m)
  12. 11 : km 11.96 - alt. 1,322 m - Pas du Gouillat (1328m)
  13. 12 : km 12.84 - alt. 1,232 m - Sources - Refuge d'Ambel
  14. S/E : km 14.32 - alt. 1,128 m - Refuge Gardiol car park

Notes

Between (6) and (7) Take care here in fog or strong winds.
(7) Water with Micropure.

Worth a visit

(4) Karstic cave of the Four Gorges: you can visit it on the way back via the lower route. 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

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
dolcevito
dolcevito

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

Machine-translated

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

Machine-translated

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!

Machine-translated

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.

Machine-translated

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"

Machine-translated

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