Flank of Montlaud from the Col d'Ey

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From the Col d'Ey, hike through the Ennuye valley, which offers beautiful views of the village of Sainte-Jalle, and return via the Montlaud hillside.

Details

n°1604381
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 370 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 370 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 812 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 508 m
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Photos

A vulture from the ridge
On the ridges
The tower
View of the village of Bésignan

Description of the walk

Park in the Col d'Ey car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head north-east along the path that descends below the "Route de Buis" sign (yellow markings). This balcony path stretches for 1500m, offering beautiful views of the village of Ste-Jalle and the Ennuye valley.
Follow this path to Route de Saint Quentin (elevation 566), ignoring the paths and trails coming from the left and right.
At Route de Saint Quentin (D25), turn right towards the east and continue for 200 metres until you reach the first bend.

(1) At this bend, leave the road. Turn left onto the path that runs alongside the lavender field, first skirting it on the right, then above it. Cross the hedge above the large oak tree (yellow markings) and follow the dirt track for 50 metres. N.B. The path that skirts the lavender field is not shown on the IGN map.

(2) Leave this path and descend to the right into the valley, cross a small stream, continue uphill to join a path through the grass, which continues for 1700m along a stony path.

(3) At the fork in this path, turn left, heading east (yellow markings) towards the village of Les Granges. Cross the village to the D162 road (elevation 529). Turn left, heading north-east, for 500 metres.

(4) Leave the road by turning right, heading east, onto a path that crosses the apricot orchards, leaving the Chemin des Marcelins on your right, pass elevation 510 and join the D593.

(5) Arrive at the junction with the D593. Turn right, heading south-east, towards Bésignan.

(6) In Bésignan, turn left into the village, continue along the path to the end of the village and, opposite the last house, take the path that climbs to the left, heading south-east towards the Col d'Autanne.

(7) Join the track below the Col d'Autanne and turn right, heading south then west, until you reach the bottom of the Col d'Oure.

(8) Below Col d'Oure, take the path that descends north-west (rather than the track signposted towards Col d'Ey, heading west) to return to Col d'Ey (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 718 m - Car park &gt - Col d'Ey
  2. 1 : km 1.64 - alt. 572 m - Turn left onto the path.
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 570 m - Stony path.
  4. 3 : km 2.65 - alt. 551 m - Turn left heading east.
  5. 4 : km 3.98 - alt. 522 m - Turn right heading east.
  6. 5 : km 4.87 - alt. 510 m - Turn right heading south-east.
  7. 6 : km 5.58 - alt. 573 m - path at the end of the village.
  8. 7 : km 6.84 - alt. 762 m - Turn right heading south.
  9. 8 : km 7.83 - alt. 802 m - Take the path that descends north-west. - Col d'œuvre (813m)
  10. S/E : km 11.23 - alt. 718 m - Col d'Ey car park.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Franck D
Franck D
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good description, very useful for points 1 and 2.
Like other comments in point 8, we went to the Col d'Oure, which offers a different view. When we reached the pass, we climbed up to the right to go even higher on the rocks, which gave us a better view
After the pass, we stayed on the yellow markings, which seemed clearer

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fm84
fm84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent views over the valley.

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Jippy01
Jippy01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy walk that should be classified as easy rather than moderate.
At point 3, the fork is not very visible, especially since you would expect it to be 1,700 metres from the start of the path.
In fact, it descends towards an orchard that you walk alongside.

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viricel jacques
viricel jacques

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

we set off from Bésignan, which was good because there was a hunt taking place on the lower part of the trail until midday. Even though at this time of year we are in the shade until we reach the pass, there are some beautiful views along this route. There were no other hikers this Sunday, just a group of quad bikes. Thank you for this hike.

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Pylg92
Pylg92

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No


beautiful views of the Saint-Jalle valley.
Running for 1 hour 15 minutes
Walking 2 hours 15 minutes
No difficulty

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Catmon
Catmon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We set off from Besignan and started climbing straight away. You absolutely must climb up to the Col d'Oure to enjoy a beautiful view of the valley.
Avoid doing this in summer as it gets very hot

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Xorkkgul
Xorkkgul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, beautiful scenery, well-marked trail. Starting the walk from Bésignan is a good idea so that you can make the climb during the coolest hours of the day. If you are as lucky as we were, a black dog named Nala will accompany you from Bésignan throughout the walk :-)

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Bab13
Bab13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Personally, it took me 3 hours, not 4 hours and 15 minutes, and I don't think I walked very fast.
At point 1, I would like to add a clarification because I couldn't find the large oak tree. After "then at the top", I would add: "at the end, descend slightly along the field and cross the hedge at a very large rock to take a dirt path on the left"

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canto89
canto89

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike done in the rain. Recently marked in yellow. Very good despite poor visibility and bad weather.

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Mangemanche
Mangemanche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant, unpretentious walk.
four and a half hours of leisurely walking and strolling.
As suggested below, I started the walk in Bésignan, which suited me fine: it allows you to schedule your snack break on the heights (depending on your departure time, of course). And you start in the middle of a charming hamlet of beautifully restored old stone buildings, which puts you in a good mood right from the start!
At point 8, you can make a very short detour to the Col d'Oure for a lovely little viewpoint to the south over a tiny valley lost on the side of Montlaud mountain.
Under a beautiful autumn sun, there is a lovely view of the Ennuye valley for much of the walk.

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ffrantz
ffrantz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike offering stunning views. Please note that in the height of summer, many areas are exposed to direct sunlight, so be sure to bring enough water.
I agree with the suggestion above: start in Bésignan so you can do the climb first. This way, when you reach the pass, you'll be able to enjoy the beautiful view, which is perhaps best appreciated after the climb. We are good walkers and did it in 2 hours 50 minutes with a short break.

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gallanpa26
gallanpa26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

On the way back, if you follow the upper trail, you can climb a small path near the rocky escarpment to reach the ruins of "Saint Lucie". The start of the steep path is marked by a cairn. Once at the top, the platform is a nice spot for a snack.

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Janpimo
Janpimo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, ideal for a gentle return to exercise after an injury.

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Olivier Chaix
Olivier Chaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

stunning view of the Ennuye valley, especially in winter when the trees are bare.

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heredis
heredis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

we really enjoyed this hike! Great views all along the way! And very well marked!
suggestion: perhaps start from Bésignan to begin with the climb rather than the descent

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