The Raton mountain

A beautiful hike along the ridge between the Hautes-Alpes and the Drôme.

Details

60252
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 760 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 761 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,457 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 720 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Rosans (05150), leave the departmental road 994 towards the Col de le Fromagère at the border between the Drôme and Hautes-Alpes departments. 3 km further on, follow the signs for "Raton 3 km", the start of the hike.

(S/E) In Raton, turn right onto the forest track at the entrance to the village. Follow this track for 1.3 km.

(1) A new sign indicates Col de la Fromagère (on the right). Follow this path to the pass (1,072 m).

(2) From there, take a new forest track on your left and follow it to the end.

(3) A well-marked trail on your left will take you to the ridge, Passière de la Sapie on the map.

(4) Climb up to the altitude of 1473m on the map for a magnificent view of the village of Pomerol and its castle. Retrace your steps and follow the ridge to the right until you reach Pas de la Pousterle, marked 1346 on the map.

(5) Two cairns on your left will show you the direction to follow towards the Staton sheepfold, which you can see below.

(6) As soon as you reach the pastures, take the first path on your left, follow it for about 500 metres and take a very small, barely visible path on your right (if you reach solar panels, you have gone too far). Follow it (it is very well maintained but not very visible at first) to reach a forest track.

(7) Follow the track to the left to return to Raton (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 722 m - Raton
  2. 1 : km 1.22 - alt. 792 m - Towards Col de la Fromagère
  3. 2 : km 2.6 - alt. 1,075 m - Forest track on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.82 - alt. 1,191 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.36 - alt. 1,442 m - ridge
  6. 5 : km 7.97 - alt. 1,334 m - Pas de la Pousterle
  7. 6 : km 8.81 - alt. 1,118 m - Pastures, path on the left
  8. 7 : km 10.67 - alt. 886 m - Track on the left
  9. S/E : km 12.81 - alt. 722 m - Raton

Notes

Start from the hamlet of "Le Raton".
Don't forget to bring water; I couldn't find any along the hike.
Many of the trail markers on the map between Staton and Le Raton have disappeared; only the marked route is passable.
Enjoy your hike.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Janpimo
Janpimo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The weather on the day of the hike was cool and windy but sunny. From the start to the arrival at the ridge, it is a long climb, but the reward of the landscapes of the Baronnies, Ventoux and Dévoluy is truly magnificent. We had a lovely encounter with a flock of sheep accompanied by a shepherd and his dogs.
The distance and time were just right.

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OMOMOM
OMOMOM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

This hike is relatively easy and ideal for getting back into shape at the end of winter (600 m elevation gain, 15 km distance, no snow). The paths are varied (trails, footpaths, grassland) and the terrain is diverse (coniferous and deciduous trees, full sun on the west and south sides), making for a pleasant hike. The view from the ridge is interesting (Mont Ventoux, the Drôme mountains, Dévoluy). Be careful on the cliff edge (risk of rockfall). Car parking is available in the hamlet of Raton at the edge of a field. An EASY hike with a few attractions.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your feedback

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Chesenau
Chesenau

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

Stunning panorama

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

"Perfect, nothing to change except after bridge 6, stay on the PR and go over the sheepfold, not under it.
the rest is great

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millim
millim

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hiking under beautiful autumn sunshine.
I started at the Col de la Fromagère and followed the route clockwise.
Given the presence of hunters on the DROME side, I returned to the Col de la Fromagère by taking the path south of the highest point of the hike.
Beautiful ridge line and stunning view of the village of POMMEROL

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Isa84100
Isa84100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much, this hike is simply superb! There aren't many people, and you can enjoy exceptional views when you're on the ridges. It's really amazing!
The yellow and fluorescent pink markings are clearly visible throughout the route.
We got a little lost around Staton and had to go off-trail to find our way back... but that didn't spoil the hike, which was pure joy! Thank you very much!

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jll39
jll39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Many thanks for this magnificent hike.
The 360° panoramic view and the ridge trail were a real treat.
I will probably do this hike again on my next visit to the area!

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JolepineGhn31
JolepineGhn31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, stunning 360° panoramic views from the ridges. A good climb to reach the ridges.

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poustiniol
poustiniol

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a parish-specific to Brittany, very nice hike on Raton Mountain. We spotted a small group of chamois at the summit...

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Exadcml
Exadcml
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The hike is very enjoyable, with no particular difficulties. I highly recommend it. The yellow markings are present almost all along the route, so it's impossible to get lost.
The long stretch along the ridge is fabulous!

Please note:

  • to get to Le Raton, you have to take a 3 km road and I must admit we were a little worried about the car tyres
  • the descent from the ridge is a bit rough
  • i use a GPS watch and at the end I was at 14.2 km and 802 m of elevation gain, compared to the 12.8 km and 719 m of elevation gain indicated in the description

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Coralie W
Coralie W

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Coming from Nîmes, the journey was longer than expected due to roadblocks. After taking several wrong turns trying to reach the hamlet of Raton, I finally decided to do a round trip hike along the ridges, starting from the Col de la Fromagère.
The climb through the woods was cool and slippery at this time of year (mud, leaves), but after the last rocky steps to reach the ridges, the sun came out and we discovered an absolutely superb view! The Baronnies, the 3 Becs, the Dévoluy, the Vercors, the Ventoux... It was a real pleasure to walk along the ridges and enjoy the scenery.
All in all, a good walk of about 10 km and 500 m of elevation gain.
Thanks to the author

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abrgrando2005
abrgrando2005

I will be sure to give my opinion once I have completed this hike

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randovero7684
randovero7684

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with superb views and a few steep sections. Thank you for sharing.

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baudoin
baudoin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very parish specific to Brittany view and lovely route

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