La Montagnette – Dourmillouse circular loop

In Saint-Jean Montclar, park at the Vieux Courtier chairlift car park and take the chairlift.

(S/E) Once at the top station, turn left onto the path and walk for about a hundred metres.

(1) Take a small path that heads into the woods on the left and follow it. This path descends gently through the woods and leads to a three-way junction just before the Ravin de Terre Noire.

(2) Carry on straight ahead until you reach the Mouriaye boundary marker.

(3) Keep to the right onto the path which climbs gently through more open woodland to a ridge.

(4) From this point, the path takes a hairpin bend to the right, following the ridge, and the climb becomes steep, though fairly short, up to the rocky outcrop, which is crossed via steps carved into the rock. After this, the path levels out again as it reaches La Montagnette.

(5) Enjoy the view from this completely open spot, with distant views towards Serre-Ponçon and the Alps, towards the Ubaye valley, and a view of the fort from below. Turn right towards the fort and climb up the ridge to the orientation table. There are places where the path is overgrown, and it’s helpful to follow the GPX track on the app to find your way. You’ll also have to climb over a few rocks before reaching the orientation table, which is the highest point of the walk.

(6) From there, you can quickly reach the fort. We chose to head back down via the wide military track. After a few hairpin bends, it runs straight ahead and joins a major junction.

(7) Please note: follow the path that descends to the right to return to the chairlift. Otherwise, you’ll need to continue until you’re directly below the Col Bas to reach the forest road. After a hairpin bend, the path joins the forest road.

(8) Continue to the right to return to the chairlift (S/E).

There are no water sources or shelters; no special equipment is required apart from good walking boots.
There are two sections of steps on the rock face before and after La Montagnette, but they are easy to navigate.

Alternative route: for those who took the chairlift up, you can take it back down, but please note that it closes at 5 pm. The walk down takes about 1 hour.

The views of the Alps and Lake Serre Ponçon are magnificent.