Col de la Bataille walks

The Ambel Plateau, a mix of pastures and forests, covers an area of 1,231 hectares. The view of the surrounding peaks and mountain ranges is superb: to the east, the Vercors High Plateaus and the Grand Veymont; to the west, the Tête de la Dame (1,506 m), from where you can see the Diois, the Baronnies and the Omblèze valley with its cliffs below; and to the south, the Saint-Julien-en-Quint valley. ⚠️ Between 1 July and 15 September, Prefectural Order DDT-SEF-2026-0176 of 4 June 2026 concerning temporary restrictions on access to the Saoû Forest and the Ambel Plateau in the event of a fire risk, assessed on a daily basis. A map is published every evening (around 5.30 pm) for the following day.

The Tête de la Dame offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama. Although it is accessible to experienced hikers from the village of Omblèze, it is also easier to get there from the Col de la Bataille. Ideal for a picnic!

From Léoncel via the Pas du Grand Échaillon to the Col de la Bataille, then Gampaloux and the Grand Échaillon, a walk through the forest in the footsteps of the Cistercian monks of Léoncel Abbey.

An outpost of the Vercors on the western side, Roc de Toulau is a 1,581-metre peak offering views of the Ambel Plateau and the peaks of the Vercors, Diois, Drôme Provençale and, on a clear day, Mont Ventoux.

After a slightly steep but easy climb to Roc de Toulau, where the view is magnificent, we will reach the Plateau d'Ambel and its curious karstic cave des Quatre Gorges before climbing to the Tête de la Dame. Return via a good trail and then a wide path.

This is a relatively easy hike in the Léoncel National Forest, mostly on cross-country ski or snowshoe trails. It is a very pleasant walk in warm weather, as almost the entire route is in the shade.

Tour of the Bouvante plateau via the Col de la Bataille, the Ambel plateau and the Col de la Rama.

From Omblèze, a steep climb will take you to the beautiful cliffs of the Rochers de la Sausse, which you’ll follow as far as the Col de la Bataille before descending just before the Ambel plateau. The more adventurous can push on to the Tête de la Dame or set out to tackle the Roc de Toulau. See the ‘Practical Information’ section for details on the difficulty of this route.

The route starts from the village of Bouvante-le-Haut with its distinctive double wash house. The climb up to the Ambel plateau takes you through a succession of refreshing forests, unique woodlands, flower-filled meadows and breathtaking scenery at the Col de la Bataille.

A lovely spring walk, partly off the beaten track, with the added bonus of discovering two beautiful arches.

Second stage of the Omblèze circular route in the Southern Vercors. This mountainous stage begins with a long climb to the Pas du Grand Échaillon, which continues up the Ravin de Pissenible to reach the Col de la Bataille and its viewpoint. The path, which is almost level on the flank of the Roc de Toulau, then climbs to the panoramic viewpoint at the Croix d'Ambel, before descending after the Pas de Garde to the viewpoint at Pierre Plate and crossing through Omblèze. It climbs to the Col des Ayes and then continues to the Col d'Anse, from where it descends to the hamlet of Ansage before reaching the car park

This two-stage circular loop takes place in a sparsely populated region with luminous landscapes, alternating between Provençal and mountainous scenery. From the Druise car park, the path heads to the Druise Waterfall, then follows the La Gervanne Gorge route and visits the La Pissoire Waterfall before venturing into the eerie Gueulards Canyon. It reaches the Abbaye de Léoncel lodge for a peaceful, monastic night’s rest. The next stage begins with a good warm-up leading to the Pas du Grand Échaillon, then on to the Col de la Bataille and its viewpoint, before continuing to that of the Croix d’Ambel. The path descends to the Pierre Plate viewpoint and then to the village of Omblèze, from where it climbs to the Col des Ayes and on to the Col d’Anse. It descends to the hamlet of Ansage and returns to the car park.