La Tête de la Dame and Pas du Gouillat

Set off from Omblèze for a breathtaking view of the Quint region and the Ambel Plateau.

Details

201767
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 902 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 897 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,504 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 643 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park on the right, 150 m before the hamlet of Les Boutons.

(S/E) Take the D578 road southwards.

(1) Pass the hamlet of Les Bouaches and continue straight on to the Arbods crossroads. Then turn left.

(2) At the crossroads by the town hall, turn left at the mission cross. Cross the hamlet of Pierroux and continue until you reach a path on the left (about 500m from the cross).

(3) 20 metres before the ford, take the path on the left.

(4) When you reach Les Tonils, at the three-way junction take the central path on the right to reach Pierre Plate after a steep climb.

(5) Continue and pass close to the Sarnat sheepfold to reach the Ambel plateau.

(6) Turn right towards the south to reach Tête de la Dame.

(7) Return by the same route to the crossroads.

(6) Continue north to the Croix d'Ambel, then to the Pas du Gouillat (junction with the carriage road).

(8) Continue north to reach a path on the left (about 300m from Pas du Gouillat).

(9) Descend the path on the left to the hamlet of Les Boutons.

(10) Cross it to the left to reach the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 702 m - Car park 150 m before the hamlet of Les Boutons. - Gervanne (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 698 m - Hamlet of Les Bouaches
  3. 2 : km 1.87 - alt. 646 m - Town hall and cross on a pedestal
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 662 m - Ford
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 697 m - Hamlet of Les Tonils
  6. 5 : km 4.89 - alt. 1,186 m - Pierre Plate
  7. 6 : km 5.88 - alt. 1,377 m - Plateau d'Ambel
  8. 7 : km 7.22 - alt. 1,504 m - Tête de la Dame (1506m)
  9. 8 : km 10.03 - alt. 1,323 m - The Croix d'Ambel and the Pas du Gouillat
  10. 9 : km 10.34 - alt. 1,315 m - Start of the trail to Les Boutons
  11. 10 : km 13.25 - alt. 711 m - Hamlet of Les Boutons
  12. S/E : km 13.49 - alt. 702 m - Car park 150 m before the hamlet of Les Boutons.

Notes

1 km from Pas du Gouillat (to the east) is the Refuge d'Ambel, an unmanned hut with 19 beds, a wood stove, dry toilets and a spring.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 24845219

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

great hike, initially set out to sleep at the head of the lady, but found refuge in a "hunter's" shelter 200 metres from the head of the lady.
Magnificent scenery at the Tête de la Dame.
Be careful, as is often the case in the Vercors, there is no water along the route.
Very beautiful hike

Machine-translated

Thierry63400
Thierry63400

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with stunning views once you reach the summit. However, I would classify it as difficult. The climb is steep and the descent is even steeper: a non-stop descent on a narrow path with loose stones and no shade. The view from the summit is worth the effort, but the journey is difficult!

Machine-translated

NOVA
NOVA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a climb, but once you reach the top, it's
MAGNIFICENT
Bright sunshine and clear skies.
Lovely hike.

Machine-translated

Sanndy
Sanndy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The rapid melting of the snow allowed us to do this hike in good conditions. I imagine, given the exposure, that this hike must be challenging when it's hot and the climb is long and steep.
We were able to see some beautiful landscapes. Reaching the Ambel plateau was a moment of pure joy. At this time of year, there are no herds. We didn't see anyone. The gloomy weather may have discouraged hikers.

Machine-translated

VéroniqueCV
VéroniqueCV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you. A very beautiful hike, the route is very well explained, pure joy. There is some elevation gain, but by climbing at your own pace and taking in your surroundings, you'll get there. On the way back, stop off at Moulin de la Pipe for a drink – it's perfect!

Machine-translated

rpatrick8
rpatrick8
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with impressive views over a plateau with no shade. The ascent and descent take place among broom and boxwood that have been spared from the moth. I found the climb long and steep, but that was probably because I had the bright idea of doing the route in 35-degree heat. I recommend this hike, but in milder weather. Thanks to the author.

Machine-translated

lamainphilippe
lamainphilippe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike, beautiful views, don't hesitate! It's a shame that the "Auberge du Moulin de la Pipe" is closed at this time of year for
a little refreshment on the way back.

Machine-translated

gazok54
gazok54 ★

Hello
Indeed, Jean Pierre, the length/elevation gain ratio leads us to classify this hike as moderately difficult.

Machine-translated

Jean-pierre F3.
Jean-pierre F3.

Thank you for your comment.
Every season has its charm in Ambel, with May and June bringing their share of flowers. Summers are hot, but much cooler than in the plains, and there is always a breeze to keep you cool. Of course, autumn is not recommended when it is foggy, but sunny autumn days are magnificent. As for winter, this route is only recommended for those experienced in snow sports.
As for classifying this hike as easy, it is for you, and it is for me, but most of the elevation gain is not over the length of the hike but over approximately 5 km. I cannot say to everyone that this hike is easy, which is why I have classified it as medium difficulty.

Machine-translated

monierplantier
monierplantier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, with the magnificent Ambel plateau, but best done in May or June.
An easy hike as the elevation gain is spread out over the length of the route.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.