From Col du Banchet to Château de Montbel

de fr

A pleasant, sunny half-day walk, very popular in spring when the daffodils are in bloom.

Technical sheet

n°216564
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 258 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 250 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 696 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 590 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the Col du Banchet car park or at the side of a road nearby.

(S/E) The path begins in the west with a short steep climb leading to a viewpoint. It continues north through sparse undergrowth and then under pine trees.

(1) At the first crossroads, ignore the path on the left. At the next crossroads, ignore the path on the right.

(2) Turn left into the undergrowth onto the path that runs along the cliff. There are numerous viewpoints over the valley.

(3) At the junction, turn left onto the path that continues north on the limestone rocks: avoid this section during heatwaves, when it is better to stay under the canopy. Join the forest road.

(4) Descend the road on the left for about 400 m.

(5) Turn right onto a footpath (signposted). This path turns left and climbs up to Motte du Montbel, going around the castle to reach it from the north.

(6) Return via the same route to the Col du Banchet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 590 m - Car park at
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 606 m - At the crossroads, turn right
  3. 2 : km 0.7 - alt. 655 m - At the fork, take the left path
  4. 3 : km 1.2 - alt. 690 m - At the crossroads, turn left
  5. 4 : km 2.06 - alt. 660 m - Forest road
  6. 5 : km 2.49 - alt. 630 m - Turn right onto the footpath (signposted)
  7. 6 : km 3 - alt. 690 m - Ruins of Montbel Castle
  8. S/E : km 6.06 - alt. 590 m - Car park at Col du Banchet

Practical information

Alternative route on the way back: at point (4), continue straight ahead until you reach the tarmac road, which you follow for a few hundred metres before turning right through the woods to point (2).

In the nearby area

Admire the daffodils in bloom in spring, but only pick a few as a souvenir: they are much more beautiful as a carpet in the undergrowth, and in a vase they will wilt within a week!

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Marie85
Marie85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk done with two children. Everything went very well: well-maintained paths, pleasant views, lovely encounters, very good description! I recommend it, although you need to think carefully about taking children as some parts are on the edge of cliffs, so caution is required!
We'll be back. Thank you!

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docanet
docanet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Some difficulty following the route exactly due to the shortcuts, but no big deal. Nice walk.

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VCANET
VCANET
• Last modified:

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The daffodils were in bloom!
It's nice to continue north to the Col de la Crusille. Then, heading west down the D916 road for 300 metres, you can enjoy a beautiful view and the orientation table.

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groupe ballade73
groupe ballade73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful walk that can also be extended, for example to reach the Col de Crusille pass or to follow a circular route through the forest from Montbel Castle, which is easier. Good walking shoes are required.

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randoclasse
randoclasse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

beautiful view of the plain as you climb. Easy and pleasant walk. However, you will need good footwear as the path is stony.

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lcharp
lcharp

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello!
I have just reviewed this hike.
It's a lovely route for a group of average walkers.
I'll keep it in mind.
Thank you!

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xondy732
xondy732

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

on the way up, the path climbs steadily and some sections with rocks are not easy. I recommend wearing good shoes for this hike.
On the way up, there are magnificent views of the valley.
I came back down the other side, which was easier.
If you want to descend to the pass towards the end of the route, do not follow the Col du Blanchet on the left but go straight ahead, otherwise you will have to climb back up to the pass via the road.

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philibert.sylvie
philibert.sylvie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk!🤗 I recommend it

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castors73
castors73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

you can make a circular loop by returning through the forest from Montbel Castle, which is easier and quicker for the return journey.

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Eiko38
Eiko38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant family hike with little elevation gain and excellent views. Consider taking a different route back than the one you took on the way there, as indicated in the alternative itineraries at the end of the description.

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HNS
HNS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start is slightly uphill, the path is quite stony, and panoramic visibility is limited along the entire route except when descending from the castle (views of the Monts de l'Epine). Pay attention to the markings on the way back to the Col du Blanchet (don't get distracted) or you may miss it (and end up returning to the start via the road). Ruins are hidden, so everyone must observe safety rules.

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Chris.g
Chris.g

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

good walk on 29/07/17
to be repeated in autumn

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lalou73
lalou73

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

At the end of the route, I made a little "extension".
From the Banchet Pass, I went to the Grand Bec viewpoint.
Distance: 900 m
Time to get there: 25 mins
At the end, there was a superb panorama, a 180° view and a little local surprise!
A must-do, as the elevation gain is very low.
Lalou 73

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Gérard N.
Gérard N.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy hike, very well marked.
Below the ruins, do not go straight up but follow the large yellow arrow painted on the rock to the left. The return via the specified route is recommended.

For the daffodils, 10 April is too late: you'll need to go in mid-March.

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