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
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 102 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 111 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,663 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,550 m

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 in operation. 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 grassy area sloping gently towards the road and the river (during busy periods, this meadow is used as additional parking). When you reach the D994g, cross it and continue on the path opposite. At the T-junction, turn right and you will immediately reach the Pont du Sergent Jean Tane bridge.

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

(2) Then turn right onto a clear path that leaves the river and climbs through a larch forest. This leads to a wide forest track (the Route Forestière du Bois Noir).

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

(4) Continue straight ahead and descend into the forest until you reach the junction with Chemin des Arras (GR®5andGR®57).

(5) Turn left and follow the red and white marked path, which is fairly flat. Cross a stream, descend slightly, ignore a path on the left and join the Clarée at 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 50 metres, look for a path branching off to the right.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,596 m - ESF chalet in Roubion
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 1,581 m - Pont du sergent Jean Tane
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 1,580 m - Fork in the road - Clarée (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 1.19 - alt. 1,649 m - Crossroads - Bois Noir forest road
  5. 4 : km 2.44 - alt. 1,647 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.03 - alt. 1,565 m - Forest road x Chemin des Arras (GR)
  7. 6 : km 4.57 - alt. 1,564 m - Pont des Armands
  8. 7 : km 4.95 - alt. 1,585 m - Trail start
  9. S/E : km 5.25 - alt. 1,596 m - 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

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
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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