Crête de Tournoux via Serre de l'Aut

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Starting from the village of Tournoux, hike to discover the upper military remains of Fort de Tournoux: the Fort des Corres battery, the Serre de l'Aut fort, the observation post and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel, via a ridge trail with remarkable views.

Details

n°1208564
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 725 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 725 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,109 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,478 m
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Photos

viewpoint of a fort
Martagon Lily

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the start of the hike after the cemetery.

(S/E) Take the tarmac road that branches off to the left towards Fort de Tournoux.

(1) Leave the road and take the path on the left towards Batterie des Caurres - le Serre de l'Aut, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®6.

(2) Pass Fort des Corres, staying on theGR®6, then continue along the zigzag path towards Serre de l'Aut.

(3) At the Serre de l'Aut fort, leave theGR®6and follow the yellow markings for the Sentier des Crêtes on the right.

(4) Pass the observatory and continue.

(5) Ignore the path that descends to the right (Tournoux 2 hours), stay on Tournoux, which is marked 3 hours.
Pass the ruined Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel and continue on thePR® to reach a new crossroads.

(6) Continue, ignoring the path that descends to the right towards Tournoux 2h. Reach the altitude of 2111m, taking care not to climb up onto the ridge but to locate the path marked in yellow that branches off to the right.

(7) Take this trail and descend into the forest, following the yellow markings. Join a forest track.

(8) Follow it to the left towards Source des Bachasses.
Pass the spring and stay on thePR® trail with the yellow markings towards Tournoux. Go through the woods until you reach a right-angle bend.

(9) Turn right onto the path, cross the road and rejoin it further on to easily reach Tournoux and the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,478 m - Car park at the start of the walks (after the cemetery)
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 1,487 m - Signpost for GR Batterie des Caurres
  3. 2 : km 2.39 - alt. 1,736 m - Fort des Corres - Batterie des Caurres - Fort de Tournoux
  4. 3 : km 4.52 - alt. 1,987 m - Carrefour du Serre de l'Aut
  5. 4 : km 4.78 - alt. 2,001 m - Observatory
  6. 5 : km 5.21 - alt. 1,939 m - Tournoux crossroads 2-3 hours
  7. 6 : km 5.68 - alt. 1,961 m - Tournoux crossroads 2-3 hours
  8. 7 : km 6.42 - alt. 2,099 m - Point 2111m Yellow markings
  9. 8 : km 7.68 - alt. 1,797 m - Crossroads of the forest track
  10. 9 : km 9.34 - alt. 1,647 m - Right-angle PR turn
  11. S/E : km 10.54 - alt. 1,478 m - Car park at the start of the walks (after the cemetery)

Notes

South-facing hike: take water with you as there is none along the entire route, not even at the Source des Bachasses, which is dry in June!
Be careful not to slip when approaching the military ruins.
The passage over the ridge is not difficult but take care not to slip on certain sections.
The trail is marked along the entire route, first in red and white (GR®6-56) from Tournoux to the Carrefour du Fortin du Serre de l'Aut, then in yellow (PR®) on the ridge to Tournoux.
At the Tournoux crossroads (2-3 hours after the observatory), you can descend and reach the Source des Bachasses (shorter route).

Worth a visit

The Batterie des Caurres can be viewed from the outside.
The Fortin du Serre de l'Aut can be viewed from the outside as it is private property
The Observatory, difficult access, you can go inside but take care not to cause any further damage. Close the door properly.
Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste: in ruins.
The village of Tournoux is worth a visit: the houses, the oven, the church, the cemetery and the Mexican vaults.

 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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
JulieFJ
JulieFJ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Extra, we loved it!
Signposted with yellow PR signs all the way.
The forest trails were really nice, the fort was impressive, the ridge was magnificent, and the return trip through the forest was lovely. The forest provided plenty of shade, which is nice in summer.

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Isalucas
Isalucas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the shade of larch and spruce trees. The only downside is that the forest paths are not very pleasant. Otherwise, the view from the summit is magnificent.

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beajouan
beajouan
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The landmarks indicated are not very clear (e.g. the two "retour Tournoux" points: there are no signs)
The hike is very beautiful and the view from the top of the ridges is splendid

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83Isa
83Isa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this route because it was a bit different from the other high-altitude trails we had done. It was well shaded, with views of the valleys. The climbs were steady on easy terrain. There were two more challenging climbs, but they weren't technically difficult. The route wasn't that easy overall, though. The descent was a bit long, but overall, it was a good, enjoyable hike.

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cathy asoa
cathy asoa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful gradual climb through the forest, the ridge offers stunning panoramic views, and the various forts along the route add to the enjoyment of the hike. Don't hesitate to walk through the village to admire the sundials.

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BerBal
BerBal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very quiet, pleasant and easy hike. Varied landscapes and superb views.

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Cdamiani
Cdamiani

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, not too difficult, which we completed in three hours with a coffee break at the observatory!
The landscape varied greatly and was very enjoyable to look at.
And in autumn, the colours are exceptional

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Fly83
Fly83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, strong points and panoramic views!
The only difficulty was the lack of signposting for 30 minutes after the highest point of the walk, when we descended through pastures and then forest without any clear signs or markings on the trees. GPS with digital mapping is highly recommended!!!

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patembrun
patembrun

Thanks for your message, and now you have the opportunity to do the hike again under different conditions.
At least, that's what I hope. Enjoy your hikes here or elsewhere

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gilloua73
gilloua73
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, we hiked in the rain, so we didn't see much of the landscape, just fog. Luckily, we still got to see the remains of the fort. Too bad.

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Indi
Indi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful documentary hike and superb scenery
Well suited to the off-season (temperature, snow and duration)
Hike duration probably overestimated
Reliable but minimalist directions.
There is a 'fir tree' to climb over on the path to the Saint-Baptiste chapel
Possibility (at the turning point at 2,100 m) of extending the route to reach the highest point. It is then preferable to turn back to this point.
Quite slippery on the way back down.
Thank you for your suggestion.

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lahourcade
lahourcade

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Advantage of this route: it is mostly shaded
Just after the Tournoux cemetery, there is a building inside which you will find photos from the early 20th century with interesting captions
On the way down from the Serre de l'Aut, there is a very pleasant shaded picnic area

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

On snowshoes, the route ends at the Bergères ski lift.
The route is easy.

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Snowshoeing. Just before the St Jean chapel, I went back down the mountain bike trail to the source of the Bâchasses. The ridge wasn't very good.

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Born in Bresse
Born in Bresse

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through spectacular scenery. Also interesting from a historical point of view, with all the forts along the route. Although I suffer from vertigo, I had no problems at all on the ridge, as the path is sufficiently far from the slope. The hamlet of Tournoux is worth a stop, with its beautiful, well-restored houses. You'll also meet a very friendly wolf there.

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