Hauteurs du Revermont between Signal de Nivigne and Mont Myon

Updated by the author on 08/10/2024:
- Minor corrections to the route
- Addition of PI (11)
- Repositioning of PI (6) and (10)
- Labelling of PIs (2), (3), (6), (10), (13)
- Section enhancement: Practical information

The walk starts from the car park at Pouillat Town Hall, in the heart of the village.

(S/E) About 50 metres after the town hall, take a passageway on the left under a house (Chemin du Lavoir) towards Nivigne and the Grotte à l'Ours: continue along a good carriage road which enters the forest shortly afterwards.

(1) At a clearly marked fork, continue right on a forest path.

(2) Just after a^second bend, take the path on the left, following the white and green markings.
A little further up, you will reach a forest track: continue straight ahead.

(3) After about 300 metres, take a path on the right towards Signal de Nivigre.

(4) A little further on, you will reach Signal de Nivigne, marked by a small brick building (former geodetic landmark). Enjoy the beautiful view to the west. Continue along the path, which remains at the same altitude on the ridge (caution: there is a cliff partially hidden by vegetation).

(5) Not far away, you will reach a fork in the path where you will encounter the most difficult part of the route: take the right-hand path, which is quite steep, to reach the Grotte de l'Ours cave, located about ten metres away (it is visible on the right). Continue down a fairly steep and slippery path, accompanied by a rope along the entire length (even more difficult when the ground is wet).

(6) Further down, you will reach a large meadow: at a rock, continue straight on towards the Chapelle de Montfort.

(7) At a fork, join the^GR® 59 coming from the Col de la Justice. Continue straight ahead, then immediately left towards the Chapelle de Montfort. At another fork^, continue straight ahead, leaving the GR® trail^.

(8) After about 200 metres, you will reach the 14th-century Montfort Chapel. Retrace your steps to the junction with^{the GR®} and continue left towards Mont Myon.

(9) After a short while, you will reach a forest road: turn left and head downhill.
About 400 m further on, take the good carriage road on the right uphill (white and red^GR® markings).

(10) Just before a bend in the path, look for the start of a small trail marked by a rope on the right: after a short steep section, the path continues on a steady but not excessive slope.

(11) A little further up, take the path on the left to join the road (^GR® 95) at a bend. Continue to the right uphill with a clear view of the plain. About 600 m further on, just after a paragliding launch area, turn right towards Mont Myon, leaving the^GR® trail^.

(12) Once you reach the shelter (Camille Gouilloux refuge), there is an orientation table in a clear environment a few metres to the left (the highest peak is not far to the south).
Retrace your steps: at the junction with^{the GR® trail}, continue straight ahead on the wide path for about 900 metres.

(13) At the^first fork, leave the^GR®. Turn right, then right again a few metres further on (no signposts) to continue on a good unmarked path.
Shortly after passing a fence, the path runs along the fence on the right with a slight incline.

Around the Bourdettes spring, the path becomes moderately difficult to follow for a short stretch, but you should continue at almost the same altitude.

(14) You will come to a fork. Continue left towards Dancia and Pouillat (white and green markings). After a steep descent to a small meadow, join a clearly visible path below.

(15) After reaching a small road, continue straight on towards the hamlet of Dancia, which you should cross: at a crossroads, take the wide path in the middle downhill.

(16) About 1 km further on, you will reach a small road. Continue along this road to the right and return to the starting point, taking care to note the beautiful chapel at the entrance to the village (S/E).

Good walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended.

Nature has a hard time digesting your rubbish. Take it with you!

The quality of the route is good to fair throughout.
During 2024, numerous signposts were installed in the surrounding area.
However, some inconsistencies have been noted in the walking times. Examples:
- From the point (2), the Signal de Nivigne is advertised as a 1 hour 5 minute walk, but in my opinion this time can be halved.
- Conversely, from the point (5), the Col en Giriat is advertised as a 5-minute walk, whereas in my opinion it would take at least 10 to 15 minutes (especially on slippery ground).

Below is a difficulty rating for each section (a route is not uniform):
- Green: fairly easy terrain with no significant elevation changes or difficulties.
- Blue: steeper slopes and/or gradients on a well-marked route.
- Orange: route presenting some technical difficulties and/or poor route viability (markings or visibility of the path).

From (S/E) to (2) Blue difficulty
The route is easy to follow on a good path with a moderate slope overall.
Regular yellow and green markings with a few signposts (towards Nivigne).

From (2) to (3) Blue difficulty
The route follows a good path on a slightly steeper slope (but not excessively so), continuing easily along a wide track.
Yellow and green markings are always clearly visible at regular intervals.

From (3) to (5) Green difficulty
The route follows a good path that is fairly gentle.
Follow the clearly visible yellow and green markings.

From (5) to (6) Orange difficulty
The descent after the Grotte de l'Ours is quite steep and slippery, requiring caution (especially in wet conditions); the presence of a rope almost all the way down is much appreciated. In my opinion, this route could be marked with dots on the IGN map.
Follow the yellow, white and green markings.

From (6) to (9) Blue difficulty
Good paths are used throughout.
Orientation is not a problem thanks to the regular presence of different markings (yellow and green, yellow, and white-red^GR®) and signposts.

From (9) to (10) Green difficulty
The route is straightforward, following wide paths.
White-red^GR® markings

From (10) to (11) Orange difficulty
The route follows a path with steep but not excessive slopes to reach the^GR® trail higher up^. Only the first few metres are steep (with the aid of a rope), then the rest of the climb is on steep, continuous slopes. In my opinion, the IGN's use of dots to mark the route seems unjustified (unlike the one seen after the Grotte à l'Ours).
Signposts but no markings (no orientation issues, however).

From (11) to (13) Green difficulty
Once you reach the carriage road, the rest of the route is fairly easy.
White-red GR® markings^.

From (13) to (14) Green difficulty
On an unmarked section, the path is fairly easy to follow at the beginning.
After passing a fence, follow the path that runs alongside another fence.
Around the Bourdettes spring, the path becomes moderately passable and you should continue without losing too much altitude.
Signposts but no markings.

From (14) to (15) Blue difficulty
Although the start of the route is almost entirely off-trail (follow the yellow and green markings), with a slightly steep descent into a small meadow, it then continues along a well-marked trail and a small road to reach the hamlet of Dancia.
No markings.

From (15) to (S/E) Green difficulty
The route along small roads (mostly tarmac) is not difficult. At most, it should be noted that there are not many signs (markings and signposts).
Yellow-red^GR® de Pays markings from Dancia + signposts.

Le Signal de Nivigne: marked by a geodetic marker, this is the highest point in Revermont (768 m). For more information, read the article here.

Mont Myon: this 662 m high summit is located in a classified natural site: for more information, read here and here.

Chapelle Notre-Dame de Monfort: built at an unknown date (estimated between the 12th and 14th centuries), it seems to have been closely linked to the Château de Montfort (ruins visible in the surrounding area).
The building was restored in 2009. For more information, read the article here.

Chapel of Saint John the Baptist - Pouillat: for more information, read here.