The Chamouse mountain in a circular route from Izon-la-Bruisse

This is the second stage of the Tour de la Méouge, which you can skip but which is so beautiful! It's a distillation of the nature of the Baronnies Provençales, from the sunny Provençal adret with its aromatic scents to the humid beech forests, passing through pastures and lavender fields. A wild atmosphere and breathtaking views are guaranteed, especially on the Chamouse ridges.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour de la Méouge dans les Baronnies Provençales

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 530 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 533 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,521 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,038 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Depart from the town hall in Izon-la-Bruisse, near Izon Nature, which offers guest rooms, table d'hôte meals and unusual accommodation. Behind the town hall, follow the track that climbs towards the Col d'Olun and Col d'Izon.

(1) At La Geneste, near an old sheepfold: 
- continue to follow the trail along the suggested route.
- or, you can turn left onto the new GRP® Tour des Baronnies Provençales trail. The new trail also leads to Col d'Olun, following the red and yellow markings.

(2) At Col d'Olun, continue straight ahead towards Col d'Izon and Montagne de Chamouse.

(3) At a fork in the trail, take the right-hand path to reach the Col d'Izon.

(4) At the Col d'Izon, head towards the Montagne de Chamouse.

(5) At Col d'Izon Nord, follow the yellow markings that climb to the right along a discreet path that leads to Montagne de Chamouse in a few minutes. Follow the horseshoe-shaped ridge to a fork at La Tussie.

(6) At La Tussie, take the hairpin bend down to the right and follow the signs for Sous la Tussie and Izon-la-Bruisse. Follow the signs for Izon-la-Bruisse until you reach Le Devès.

(7) At Devès, take the path on the left towards Col de Roubuousse and Col Saint-Jean. 

(8) At Col de Roubuousse, turn right towards Col Saint-Jean, onto a discreet path that climbs steeply for a few metres.

(9) Join the tarmac Route d'Izon at a hairpin bend and take it downhill to the right.

(10) At the next hairpin bend, pass close to the Bayle fountain. Continue along the road for 1.5 kilometres to Izon-la-Bruisse. Unusual accommodation, guest rooms and table d'hôte at Izon Nature (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,048 m - Izon-la-Bruisse Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 1,133 m - La Geneste
  3. 2 : km 2.16 - alt. 1,240 m - Col d'Olun
  4. 3 : km 2.76 - alt. 1,277 m - Fork in the tracks
  5. 4 : km 3.96 - alt. 1,342 m - Col de d'Izon (1343m)
  6. 5 : km 4.07 - alt. 1,344 m - Col d'Izon Nord
  7. 6 : km 6.58 - alt. 1,430 m - La Tussie
  8. 7 : km 7.75 - alt. 1,198 m - Le Devès
  9. 8 : km 8.02 - alt. 1,199 m - Col de Roubuousse
  10. 9 : km 9.61 - alt. 1,114 m - Route d'Izon
  11. 10 : km 10.19 - alt. 1,069 m - Fontaine de Bayle (Izon-la-Bruisse)
  12. S/E : km 11.41 - alt. 1,038 m - Izon-la-Bruisse Town Hall - Izon Nature

Notes

Accommodation in Izon-la-Bruisse: Izon Nature, guest rooms and table d'hôte, unusual accommodation (cabins, tiny houses, rooms).

This hike is best undertaken in April-May-June and September-October-November. In summer, it can be very hot in the Baronnies Provençales, and in winter, some paths may be impassable or snow-covered.

Set off with a good supply of water, as there are no water sources along the route. Do not rely on the fountain in Izon-la-Bruisse, which is not monitored and is flowing less and less anyway.

Worth a visit

The view from the summit of Chamouse takes in much of the Southern Alps, from the Écrins to the peaks of the Digne region such as the Cheval Blanc, as well as the Ventoux and the Lure mountain to the south. On a clear day, you can even see the highest peak in the Vercors, the Grand Veymont!

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
gisyl
gisyl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

a fantastic hike starting from a place where we slept in a bubble. At sunrise, we saw a deer and the landscape was stunning.

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MPMONTAGNES
MPMONTAGNES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A must-do hike starting from Izon-La-Bruisse. PANORAMIC VIEWS!

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User 14223558

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes and a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
On the ridge, hundreds of little yellow grasshoppers hop along with every step, and on the descent after the forest, butterflies of all sizes and colours flutter around in such numbers that you can hardly see them all.
A typical Baronnies landscape with its rugged terrain, a magnificent walk!

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RadisLon
RadisLon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy and varied hike, with a magnificent arrival on the Chamousse plateau.
We were lucky enough to see a chamois, as well as Dauphiné fritillaries.

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plevy04@gmail.com
plevy04@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb setting, a little long but with varied landscapes and no major difficulties. Splendid views. I just did this walk (early May). The direction of the hike is very important: gradual ascent and faster descent. Be careful between points 7 and 8 to follow the description carefully and take the small road back to the starting point.
Thank you for this magnificent hike.

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Teti
Teti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent circular around La Chamouse, an easy hike even if the first part climbs a little
The second part is also magnificent, a small forest path where we encountered a chamois (or another type of bovine, I'm no expert), refreshing and allowing us to discover the other side of the mountain. Magnificent, thank you for this beautiful circular!

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Magali N
Magali N

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view, yet still a moderately difficult hike, feasible in late autumn during the allotted hours of sunshine. I recommend it.

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