Fontaine de Pétouze and return via Courtin

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This hike is best done in the morning in winter, when the sun (when it's out) plays with the reflections in the icy branches. The boxwoods form large snowballs and give off their scent.

Details

n°4743024
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.86 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 255 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 257 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,178 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 939 m
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Photos

On the Pétouze trail
Fontaine de Pétouze

Description of the walk

Park in the cross-country ski centre car park.

(S/E) Follow the small road and take the first path down to the right, following the sign for "Fontaine de Pétouze". Stay on this path until you reach the fountain.

(1) Continue straight ahead, heading south, and keep going in this direction.

(2) Turn left at a 90° angle.

(3) La Ravassière: continue straight ahead. Then head south again to reach the Fontaine de Pétouze.

(4) Take your time to read the information at this picnic area, then take the road south-west for about 500 metres.

(5) Leave the road and take the yellow and red marked trail that descends alongside it for a few dozen metres. This section offers a superb view of Royans. Stay on this path, following the markings.

(6) When you reach Sous Ravassière, turn left towards the west for 100 metres, then turn right, leaving Bournet on your left. Follow a beautiful open path that leads to the hamlet of Courtin.

(7) Leave Courtin on your right and continue north on the same path. 300 metres further on, a sign points towards "Chamfra": follow this direction, staying on the path marked in yellow and red. You will reach Chamfra, where you will rejoin the path you took on the way there.

(1) Turn left heading north to return to the car park of the cross-country ski centre, which you can see (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,006 m - Cross-country ski centre car park
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 988 m - Chamfra, junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 1,060 m - Left turn
  4. 3 : km 2.43 - alt. 1,109 m - La Ravassière, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 3.51 - alt. 1,112 m - Fontaine de Pétouze 1112m
  6. 5 : km 3.8 - alt. 1,090 m - Path on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.34 - alt. 950 m - Under Ravassière, on the left
  8. 7 : km 6.21 - alt. 941 m - Courtin
  9. S/E : km 7.86 - alt. 1,006 m - Cross-country ski centre car park

Notes

Although most of this hike is in the forest, bring warm clothing (3 layers) in case of wind. Water is available at the Fontaine de Pétouze (micropure recommended).

Worth a visit

The Pra l'Étang or Prélétang cave, again from the same starting point, from (4).
La Goulandière for another hike from the same starting point, continue past the Pra l'Étang cave.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
andrebayle
andrebayle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy hike that can be enjoyed with the family. Rediscover the pleasure of walking through autumn leaves. Not much of a view, but we weren't there for the view, more for the peace and quiet of my mountain.

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B SANCHEZ
B SANCHEZ

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We leave the fog behind in the valley and the sun is shining at Le Faz.
No need for snowshoes!
A beautiful, easy 3-hour walk, and a few forgotten trumpet mushrooms will treat us in the evening.
No yellow and red markings to be seen!
Thank you

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Jimin
Jimin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant!

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MIFA46
MIFA46

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk to enjoy in summer too! The Petouze fountain is a good choice for a picnic in hot weather.
At WPT 5, follow the yellow and green markings (not yellow and red).
The description is sometimes brief, but with the GPS track you can quickly find your way.

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ma.ge.26.38
ma.ge.26.38

Thank you; it is indeed a very pleasant little walk.

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Jean-ChristopheV
Jean-ChristopheV

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first half of the hike, up to the Pétouze fountain, is a steady climb under the box trees.
The return journey is more interesting as the view is clearer.
At point 6, ignore the sign for "Le Faz" which runs along the Ravassière valley and then largely follows the outward route: follow the yellow/green markings towards "Courtin".

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ma.ge.26.38
ma.ge.26.38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Good for a family walk. Error in the text after the fountain, but easy to follow on the map.

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Guy ROGNIN
Guy ROGNIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A peaceful route to enjoy with the family

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