Col Fromage from Montbardon (circular route)

Circular route from Montbardon which joins theGR®5along the ridges and the Col Fromage before descending via the Vallon de Riou Vert (GR®58).

Details

1064347
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 893 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 890 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,308 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,500 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the entrance to Montbardon (car park).

(S/E) Head south and cross the hamlet of Montbardon

(1) At the exit, after crossing a stream, turn left onto theGR® de pays marked Yellow-Red. Climb the winding path.

(2) At the junction, follow theGRP® to the right to reach a meadow and the Bergerie de la Sommette.

(3) Continue along theGRP®, heading south-east then south, until you reach theGR®5.

(4) Continue south to a large crossroads (springs).

(5) Continue south on theGR®5.

(6) At a junction, continue south to reach Col Fromage.

(7) Retrace your steps.

(6) Turn left (signposted) onto the return path (GR®58variant). Descend via a series of hairpin bends.

(8) Then descend the Vallon du Riou Vert, heading north-west. Cross the first footbridge.

(9) At the second footbridge, stay on the right bank to head back down to Montbardon (sign; to the left is the way to Bramousse). Follow theGR®58to the junction of the circular route.

(1) Turn left and walk through the hamlet of Montbardon to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,501 m - Car park at the entrance to Montbardon
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 1,519 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 1,803 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.37 - alt. 2,095 m - Sommette sheepfold
  5. 4 : km 4.87 - alt. 2,112 m - Junction with the GR5
  6. 5 : km 5.06 - alt. 2,124 m - Crossroads-Springs
  7. 6 : km 8.24 - alt. 2,282 m - Junction
  8. 7 : km 8.58 - alt. 2,302 m - Col Fromage
  9. 8 : km 9.78 - alt. 2,140 m - Riou Vert valley
  10. 9 : km 11.6 - alt. 1,830 m - Footbridge
  11. S/E : km 14.63 - alt. 1,501 m - Car park at the entrance to Montbardon

Notes

Several springs. No shelter.
Well-marked trails (GRP® Yellow and Red andGR®58Red and White). Signposts at junctions.

Worth a visit

The pretty hamlet of Montbardon with a lodge.
Château-Queyras (Vauban fort) in the valley.

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Murielle30
Murielle30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello.
A lovely walk. It’s quite a steep climb at the start up to the sheepfold. After that, it’s easier. But it’s shaded, so it’s manageable even in summer. There are some lovely views all along the way. Best done at a leisurely pace 🤗

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emmaamandine
emmaamandine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

From the start to the Sommette sheepfold, it’s a steep climb. A quick note regarding point 2 on the map: the GRP trail on the right doesn’t exist; you must continue on the yellow and red trail. It’s an easy walk all the way to the Col Fromage. The descent into the Riou Vert valley is stony. A very beautiful hike.

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patembrun
patembrun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk bathed in autumn colours! At the Bergerie de la Sommette, we turned right towards the Chalets de Fontanties, then crossed the mountain pasture, following the cattle tracks due south to reach the GR5 and the Col Fromage at the far end of the pasture.

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12jui4mar16edmo48
12jui4mar16edmo48

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start to the right of the chapel is brilliant. Then on to the spring and the Sommette sheepfold: it’s lovely; after that, we come across some logging tracks that drop down very steeply. Everything’s fine from there on, once we’ve found the path again!

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marceldetouillon@gmail.com
marceldetouillon@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A hike that offers stunning scenery almost from the very start; the figures given seem to underestimate the
reality; in fact, my GPS shows 17.5 km and an elevation gain of 879 m. But we were treated to a veritable feast of flowers.
Marcel

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