Circular route between Roubion and Plampinet via the Route Forestière du Bois Noir

A lovely, easy walk, mostly through a larch forest and, for a short stretch, along the Clarée. In summer, you can enjoy the magnificent alpine flora that accompanies you along the entire route.

Details

58956875
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.26 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 335 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 364 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,456 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,085 ft

Description of the walk

At the entrance to Roubion on the D994g, turn towards the village centre (right if coming from Pamplinet, left if coming from Névache). There is a large car park used for parking vehicles in summer when the shuttle buses are operating. Park, without obstructing other users, near the small ESF chalet on the left.

(S/E) From the ESF chalet, head south towards the D994g and walk down the road for a few dozen metres. Turn right onto a path that crosses a large, gently sloping grassy area towards the road and the river (during busy periods, this meadow is used as an additional car park). When you reach the D994g, cross it and continue along the path opposite. At the T-junction, turn right and you will immediately reach the Pont du Sergent Jean Tane.

(1) Cross the bridge over the Clarée. On the other side, turn left and walk alongside the river on your left for about 400 m.

(2) Then turn right onto a clearly marked path which veers away from the river and climbs through a larch wood. You’ll emerge onto a wide forest track (the Route Forestière du Bois Noir).

(3) Follow this forest track to the left towards Plampinet. This magnificent track winds its way through the larch trees, offering splendid views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Cross a stream and reach a junction.

(4) Continue straight on and head down into the forest, staying on the track until you reach the junction with the Chemin des Arras (GR®®5andGR®®57).

(5) Then turn left and follow the red-and-white-marked path, which is more or less flat. Cross a stream, head down a slight slope, ignore a turn-off on the left and reach the Clarée at the Pont des Armands.

(6) Cross the river again. At the T-junction, follow a track to the left. Join the D994g, cross it and follow it to the left. Cross a stream and, after about fifty metres, look out for the start of a path on the right.

(7) Take this well-marked path and walk along the back of the shuttle bus car parks. At the next junction, turn left. At the crossroads shortly afterwards, turn right and you will immediately reach the car park in front of the ESF chalet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,236 ft - ESF Chalet in Roubion
  2. 1 : mi 0.26 - alt. 5,187 ft - Pont du sergent Jean Tane
  3. 2 : mi 0.51 - alt. 5,184 ft - Junction - Clarée (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 0.74 - alt. 5,410 ft - Junction – Bois Noir Forest Road
  5. 4 : mi 1.52 - alt. 5,404 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.88 - alt. 5,135 ft - Forest road x Chemin des Arras (GR)
  7. 6 : mi 2.84 - alt. 5,131 ft - Pont des Armands
  8. 7 : mi 3.08 - alt. 5,200 ft - Start of the trail
  9. S/E : mi 3.26 - alt. 5,236 ft - ESF Chalet in Roubion

Notes

There are no water sources along the route, but there are several bars and restaurants in Roubion around the car park.

The stony paths require good footwear. After rain, the lower part of the trail along the Clarée can be quite wet and muddy, with some slippery sections.

In winter, this hike can be done with snowshoes.

This route can be combined with the hike along the Route Forestière du Bois Noir to Névache, starting from Roubion.

Worth a visit

The main attraction of this hike is the peace and tranquillity it offers as you walk through the magnificent Bois Noir forest, as well as the superb views of the surrounding mountains and valleys along the way. You will also encounter many alpine flowers such as greater butterfly orchids, willowherbs, meadowsweet, etc., as well as wild strawberries, raspberries and mushrooms of all kinds, in season.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
les Dionnais
les Dionnais

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Between point 4 and point 5, the sign simply says “carry on straight ahead”. Don’t do what we did. We were actually on a mountain bike route and carried on following it. We then turned onto the parallel mountain bike trail and left the track. To get down to the junction with the Chemin des Arras, you need to stay on the track (and therefore leave the mountain bike trail markings). A small but useful point to note:
(4) Carry on straight ahead (staying on the track) until you reach the junction with the Chemin des Arras.

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mike-evy
mike-evy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful, very easy hike

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marquounet
marquounet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll through the larch forest...

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Giccat1
Giccat1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy walk, almost entirely in the forest.

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User 26002796

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

An easy and very pleasant route for enjoying a walk in the woods and along a river.

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Lafalla
Lafalla

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in the forest in the snow. Some beautiful views.

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk that allows you to get some fresh air when the weather is uncertain.
We extended the route a little:
firstly, by starting from Névache Ville Haute, where our lodge is located,
and secondly, by not going directly from point 4 to point 5 but continuing on to Plampinet via the "Les Savoyes" trail, which takes you close to the chapel and cemetery in Plampinet.

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