Crêtes de Solaure via the lost path of Pas d'Aix from Coste Boudonne

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A short, easy and wild circular route with beautiful views from the top of the cliffs.

Details

n°19838079
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 279 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 287 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,243 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,001 m
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Photos

Crête Solaure
Start of the Coste Boudonne trail
On the Solaure plateau
Arrival at Pas d'Aix

Description of the walk

From the valley at Montmaur-en-Diois, allow 20 to 25 minutes for the journey, as after the pretty village of Montmaur-le-Vieux, the road becomes a forest track that is easy to drive on. Park near the entrance to the forest track marked Coste Boudonne.

(S/E) About 30 metres after the barrier, a cairn marks the point where you have to climb the embankment to reach a small, very gentle path that you take to the left for about 100 metres. There, another cairn marks the fork to the right: this is the old path that leads to Pas d'Aix, heading north-east. A little further on, it is crossed by another forest track, which you should follow for about 150 metres. A cairn marks the continuation of the path that climbs to Pas d'Aix

(1) Turn left at the hairpin bend and follow the ridge, then a switchback towards the summit of Serre Chauvière

(2) Walk along the cliff towards the south-west; you will need to keep close to the cliff, especially in summer (outside the summer season, it is easier to walk along the meadow a little lower down when it is no longer occupied by the herd and its sheepdogs, but after a few hundred metres, you will need to rejoin the ridge).

(3) After the paragliding take-off site, continue along the cliff until you reach a beautiful cairn that marks the descent path.

(4) Head right towards Col du Royet. After a hairpin bend to the left, enter the woods and find a path on the left as you pass under the rock.

(5) Follow the trail on the left, which climbs steeply to the Grotte du Fournet. With a torch, you can easily enter the cave. Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(4) Turn left and continue along the wooded ridge to the forest road at Col du Royet.

(6) Descend to the left towards the car park. About 150 m after crossing the Chemin de Coste Belle, a discreet path marked by a cairn and yellow markings allows you to cut across a bend. Then continue along the forest road to the (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,010 m - Barrier on the Boudonne path
  2. 1 : km 1.17 - alt. 1,119 m - Pas d'Aix (1136m)
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 1,237 m - Serre Chauvière
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,218 m - Paragliding take-off site
  5. 4 : km 3.12 - alt. 1,207 m - Cairn
  6. 5 : km 3.59 - alt. 1,183 m - Fork in the road towards the Fournet cave
  7. 6 : km 4.08 - alt. 1,140 m - Col du Royet (1140m)
  8. S/E : km 5.82 - alt. 1,009 m - Barrier on the Boudonne path

Notes

A good torch is essential for entering the Grotte du Fournet to cool off or take shelter.
The trail is very safe but should be avoided with children who are too adventurous.
You can extend the walk a little by driving 1.2 km less, starting from the hairpin bend just below, at Serre la Croix.

Worth a visit

- Superb aerial views along almost the entire walk.
- On the plateau, just before descending towards the Col du Royet, there is a view over the entire Drôme valley. From its source to the Rhône, apart from the circular loop it forms towards Die around the Solaure and Justin plateau.
- A short visit to the Grotte du Fournet with some concretions, it was occupied from prehistoric times until the Neolithic period when it was used as a sheepfold.
- On the way back by car near the old village of Montmaur, a stop is a must to visit this very pretty village.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
allaingranet
allaingranet

I am very pleased to hear that you enjoyed the walk. The Drôme is well worth a visit.

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Mickael Drome
Mickael Drome

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, fairly easy; there is just a slight incline at the beginning.
Along the way, you can enjoy views of the entire Drôme route: from Claps to Glandasse, Barry Mountain, Les 3 Becs, and more.

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Aurel0726
Aurel0726

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb hike. So beautiful that I camped there overnight to do it again in the morning with a few variations (walking through the meadow, visiting the cave, etc.).
There's a short challenging section to get to the cave, but otherwise everything is accessible.
Sumptuous landscape, the smell of broom, flowers galore, the song of crickets and birds.
In short, a wonderful surprise.
Thank you.

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SoGass
SoGass
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Incredible views of the valley where you can see the confluence of the Drôme and Bez rivers, as well as the Vercors mountains.
It was very windy on the day we did this hike, so don't get too close to the edge of the cliff.
There were no herds at the top, so we walked through the beautiful meadow before reaching the ridge at the paragliding launch point.
The start is steep but easy if you're used to it. 2 hours, not 2½ hours.
We didn't go to the cave because it was too windy and you really have to stick close to the cliff.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you, allaingranet, for your comments. I have just amended the file accordingly.

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allaingranet
allaingranet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful trail connecting high-altitude pastures with exceptional views of the Haut Diois and towards Le Dévoluy.
This walk follows narrow, sometimes steep paths, often along the edge of cliffs. It cannot be considered a family walk suitable for all ages and generations. It is a relatively short mountain trail, but of moderate difficulty.
The route is approximate and you have to improvise at times. There is a real problem between points 3 and 4. It is a shame that the location of the cairn at the end of the plateau, which marks the descent to the return route, has not been marked as a waypoint. We passed it without realising because it was hidden behind a large bush.
I strongly recommend using a GPS.
The return trip along the forest road is pleasant, but a little monotonous. Be careful not to extend the shortcut that cuts across one bend to cut across the next bend. As soon as you reach the road, take it downhill.
I recommend this walk, and to finish on a high note, on the way down, take the opportunity to visit the old village, long abandoned and then restored with a view to welcoming curious visitors.

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Floandtom
Floandtom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, first we need to define the terms used, because "family hike" does not mean the same thing to everyone. Adding "sporty" to the mix, for me, goes hand in hand with "hiking".
I would say a very beautiful hike with a small trail where you need to be in good shape or have help if you're not. It's best to do it in the direction of eleven along the initial route, as it's easier to climb the trail, which is moderately maintained by hikers, than to descend it.
Beautiful view of the plateau and the chance to encounter a herd guarded by Patou dogs. Novices should not approach the herd, but rather keep their distance!
Thank you for the initial route!

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saacha007
saacha007
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slightly challenging family hike without any difficulty. Beautiful panoramic views (on one side, Glandasses, Dévoluy behind and the Alps in the background, I think; on the other side, 3 Becs, Grand Delmas, etc.).
A little road noise in the distance.
I regretted not doing it the other way round, as I would have enjoyed the Alpine side more, which was mostly on my back, and the low sun in the south would have dazzled me less... for half of the hike.
Is there a reason why you presented it this way? It seems to me that the paths from Pas d'Aix to the car park would not be difficult to find...
Thank you.

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