Tourneau circular loop

Park near the chapel in the village of Le Courtil.

(S/E) Join the D117 road and follow it carefully to the left, heading south-southeast. In Giers, look for the path just below the last house on the left which descends to the left, south-southeast towards the River Souloise.
Cross the river without difficulty. The marked path winds through the woodland alongside the Souloise, heading north, then climbs to join the RD512, which here forms part of the GR® 93 and the^GRP®® Tour du Dévoluy.
Follow the red and white markings to the right. You’ll soon reach another junction.

(1) Leave the road and continue left along the^GR®® to climb up the Combe de Mayt. At the junction of the paths, keep left on the^GR®®93and head for the Pied de Faraut. Walk alongside and up the Rif (dry in summer) parallel to the road. You’ll reach the Y-junction with the D17.

(2) Continue to the left, leaving the^GR®® to follow the Rif along its right bank. Cross to the left bank to rejoin the GR®^®.

(3) Join the GR®® again and carry on straight ahead, passing the Sources de Pierre Grosse. Continue through the Combe la Saume to emerge at the Col la Saume.

(4) Turn right towards the south, leave the^GR®®, and climb up a well-marked track, with markings and cairns, along the ridge. Reach the Tête du Tourneau.

(5) Continue to follow the markings as they descend and join a lovely path leading to the pass’s refuge, the Ancien Refuge Napoléon.

(6) Follow the D17 county road. Before crossing the Torrent de Vallier, join the^GR®®93. Take this to the left and reach the Croix de Vallier, then the junction with the D17 which you passed on the way out.

(2) Turn left onto the path running parallel to the road. Join the road a little further on, then leave it again to reach the crossroads in the Truziaud district.

(7) Continue down the slope to the right, passing through the Pré neighbourhood (^GR®® 94). Join the road to enter the village of Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoluy. Arrive at the crossroads by the cemetery.

(8) Head left. Pass through Le Fort and Les Étroits to reach the Pont de Giers.

(9) Take the road on the right, pass Giers and the first crossroads, then easily reach the car park at the chapel in the village of Le Courtil (S/E).

Sturdy footwear recommended. Fresh water available from the fountains at Le Courtil, Giers, Truziaud, Le Pré and Saint-Étienne.
Drinks and food available at the Col du Noyer mountain hut (in summer).

(6) Orientation table at the Col du Noyer (several stages of the Tour de France cycle race have passed through here)
(6) Refuge Napoléon at the Col du Noyer
(Between 8 and 9) Les Étroits via ferrata on the route (Equipment required)
The Napoléon mountain huts.

- “Les Chanterelles” cheese shop at Le Courtil: sheep’s cheese and lamb. (Closed in 2025!)
- “Interstellaire du Dévoluy” brewery at Le Courtil, just to quench your thirst a little...
Via Ferrata at Les Étroits.