The Col des Prêtres from the Col de Grimone

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike at the end of July 2024. This route is not easy, there are narrow passages on the mountainside with a steep drop towards point 1. Furthermore, at point 4, if you turn right, the path is no longer passable because a collapsed section has become dangerous. You must therefore follow the path to the left to tackle the long descent through the forest. It took us over three hours. That said, the view at the Col des Prêtres is superb. But you must tackle this hike with caution and be well equipped; this is mountain terrain, not a leisurely stroll.

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Date of your route : Aug 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike in August 2024. I use a Garmin GPS and had no problem following the trail. The views are magnificent, with many sections through woodland, which is pleasant in hot weather. In terms of difficulty, I would say it is not easy but moderately difficult. There is a 12.7% incline for 2.25 km. There are also sections where the path is narrow on the mountainside. Otherwise, it's a very beautiful hike

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Date of your route : Mar 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Simply magical! We did this hike at the end of March, with breathtaking scenery and peaceful, tranquil nature. We had a picnic just after the pass because of the icy north wind at the pass. There were a few patches of snow, which was wonderful. The views are superb, the air is invigorating, and we didn't see anyone except birds. Expect lower temperatures up there if the wind is from the north, and you'll have to cross a few patches of snow 20 to 30 cm deep, so make sure you're wearing suitable footwear.
Thank you for this magnificent hike, which we completed in 3 hours with a lunch break.

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Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did it again, but without the detour this time (see our comment from 21 May 2020...) and in the right direction. There are no signs at the car park. We recommend taking the forest road on the right above the car park for about ten metres, then turning left onto the small path. You will then find the signs after about a hundred metres and there is no room for error. Don't be surprised by the distance before you reach the Combefère sign. Here too, there is no doubt between the normal route and the alternative route via the Col de Lus. In any case, the view from the Col des Prêtes is magnificent. And the picnic is very invigorating...The descent, which is a bit long, is easy and very pleasant. A very beautiful hike, with no particular difficulties, except perhaps the end of the climb. But then again, at 75 years old...

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Date of your route : Aug 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this great app!

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Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A little hesitation between two paths at the start. A very pleasant hike, even in light rain, as you are sheltered. Beautiful views. When the weather permits, I think it's worth adding the Col de Lus. The slope is quite steep and slippery on the descent at the end, and some parts of the descent through the forest are dangerous as they are very narrow. Avoid doing this hike in wet weather...

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with superb views. Just download the map for offline tracking so you can follow the route easily. It is well signposted, though. At the Col des Prêtres, we had some trouble finding the trail. You have to follow the fence on the left and then cross at a tree where there is a mark.
Be careful on a few sections where you need to be vigilant, especially on the first climb.
The descent to the pass is quite long, but the shade of the fir trees is welcome. You also need to be careful on the descent, as there are a few narrow sections on a slope.
We did it with our 15-month-old daughter in a backpack.
Good shoes and walking poles are recommended for comfort.

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Date of your route : May 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb views, well signposted. Pleasant and lots of flowers

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on a beautiful day. We took the Aupillon variant, which is characterised by steep climbs but also beautiful panoramic views. No difficulty with signposting and no major difficulties.

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Hello,
I am sorry if you found the route difficult. But if you enjoyed the view, I am glad.
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Jun 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I wanted to point out that, as far as I'm concerned, I found the path dizzying (especially the section through the scree) ... I couldn't make it to the end.
Regardless, the view is magnificent!

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Date of your route : Apr 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that you must follow the "Col de Lus bis" sign to complete the circuit in the direction indicated by the route, otherwise you will be going in the opposite direction. Follow the signs in the grass at Col des Prêtres carefully so as not to lose your way. There is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains at Col des Prêtres. We did almost the entire hike in the snow on the north-facing slope (which was slippery on the narrow path made uneven by the accumulation of icy snow)

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Date of your route : Aug 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike today without any major difficulties.
I really enjoyed the varied route with its beautiful panoramic views (including Dévoluy). However, be careful on the narrow path in places overlooking some ravined areas, where a minimum of caution is required.

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Date of your route : Jul 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this lovely walk. The route is varied and very pleasant

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Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, especially at the Col des Prêtres, where the view is splendid! We did it backwards (mistake at the start), but it didn't matter.
However, BE CAREFUL with the alternative route! We took it... No problem until the Col de Lus, but after that, it was a total nightmare: at the Col de Lus, there was a signpost saying "Col de Grimone, 3.100 km, 1 hour". At that point, there was no room for error, so we went down the forest road. Then there was a succession of junctions and a maze of forest roads in all directions... and no signposts anywhere! In the end, we had to call the police in Lus la Croix Haute because we were completely lost, despite the map and compass... They kindly came to pick us up at the Lus pass, where we had gone back up on their advice... The result: 13.5 km (of walking) instead of 8...
The hike dates from 2018, as does the alternative route, I suppose, and according to the police, it should be re-marked soon. So be careful, friends, let's make sure we update our tracks!

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