The Col du Palastre

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hello everyone.
We did this hike on Monday. First of all, thank you very much for the route. Personally, I loved the little balcony section (my partner, who is a bit prone to vertigo, enjoyed it a little less ). The first part was very easy and shaded. Then the climb was also easy, even if it was long. There was a great view from the top and finally a slightly more technical descent. I just wanted to point out that the hike is longer than indicated: I had about 15 km and 970 metres of elevation gain on my GPS watch. Enjoy your hikes, everyone. Audrey

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Date of walk : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I had already done this hike three times in the past, but each time I had followed the suggested route.
This time, I wanted to climb directly to the Col du Palastre and descend via the Combe de la Roranche, the hamlet of the same name, in order to return to Les Richards.
I missed the junction to climb up to the pass because I didn't see the signposts... After walking along a sort of grassy track, I took a path that came to an end after a while. But as I could see a small peak with a wooden post, I continued in that direction. Once at the summit, there was nothing written on the post, and I couldn't continue. So I turned back to return to the main path, and then I could see the path leading up to the pass. A paraglider who appeared out of nowhere confirmed this for me!
We chatted a bit and walked together to the crossroads, when I realised I had forgotten my walking poles... I went back to where I had taken my break, and in addition to the poles, I hadn't put the thermos back in my bag! This hike was not off to the best start!
From the crossroads, it took me an hour to reach the pass, where I was able to watch the paraglider take off.
I climbed to the summit of Palastre (2,278 m), where a large cross stands. After a break to admire the surrounding peaks, I began the descent to Combe des Roranches. It's long and sometimes a little exposed, so you have to be careful at times. But nothing complicated or insurmountable!
Before reaching the hamlet of Les Roranches, I had read information stating that it was not possible to take the GR trail due to a landslide in 2012. It was mentioned that a diversion had been put in place, but as I couldn't find any signs indicating this, I continued on the GR 50 and didn't encounter any problems!
The GR seems to be well-travelled, and I didn't see any places where rockfalls could occur.
There is a sign indicating this fact, but it is much further away than the section of the GR 50 mentioned on the posters.
I reported this signage issue to the Pont Du Fossé Tourist Office.
I returned to Les Richards at 7.30 a.m. after setting off early in the morning. I must have lost over an hour when I got lost, which added 200 metres of elevation gain (1,300 in total)
I liked both options for this hike, but perhaps climbing directly to the Col du Palastre avoids a very long climb if you decide to start the route from the hamlet of Les Roranches.

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Date of walk : Jun 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did this beautiful hike "backwards" compared to the description, and thank goodness we did! The last part is endless (and it must be even worse going uphill!). Some sections can be difficult for people who suffer from vertigo. The route has been slightly modified due to rockfall.

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Date of walk : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We started our hike from the car park in the hamlet of Les Richards. A lovely climb through flower-filled mountain pastures. Beautiful panoramic views along the way. Very cloudy weather prevented us from completing the full loop. We descended via the same route we took on the way up.

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Date of walk : Jun 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

we did not follow the indicated route because we were advised to follow the GR 50 in the village of Richards via Les Roranches, leave the GR 50 to head towards Aime Blanc and follow the signs for the Col du Palastre, then the summit and return via the most direct route.
A very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany 16 km hike, but beware if you are prone to vertigo as there are some dizzying passages!

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Date of walk : Sep 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We climbed to the summit of Palastre in the opposite direction to the one suggested. I think it's more enjoyable that way. We set off from the car park in the hamlet of Les Richards, as indicated in the guidebook. The climb is more direct and offers some beautiful scenery. We reached the pass in 1 hour 20 minutes and the summit in 1 hour 30 minutes. Going the other way, the climb seems endless. The scenery is magnificent on both sides, with views over Champsaur, wooden roof tile and as far as Gap.
The path is still closed due to rockfalls. Signs are in place. The return journey is very long. We covered 17 km and 1,100 m of elevation gain during the day.

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Date of walk : Jul 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed with athletic children aged 8 and 10 within the allotted time.
With the extra distance due to the landslide, the climb took 4 hours.
Some sections are still dizzying for the more sensitive. The climb through the woods is steep.
But the view is worth it! It's absolutely wonderful!
The descent to the car park is almost 'too easy' given the effort required for the ascent.

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Date of walk : Jun 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I checked out the Palastre on 5 June 2019 and the path is still closed due to the landslide; the signs are still there. When you come down from the car park, you have to take the GR on your right and not on your left as mentioned on the information sheet. I also did the same route again and found that the circuit is at least 15 km long. The route shown does not include all the bends on the climb.

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Date of walk : Nov 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

First outing on the first snow of winter. A magnificent circuit! Starting with a gentle walk down to the hamlets allows you to ease yourself back into the pleasure of walking. Deer down below, chamois up above... perfect!
A pleasant climb, even in the snow!
From now on, I would still recommend snowshoes!

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Date of walk : Jun 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I recommend walking around the Palastre in the opposite direction to the one suggested. The starting point is still the car park in the hamlet of Les Richards, and you begin the climb to the pass 50 metres above the car park. The climb is certainly more direct but really very beautiful. For average hikers, you will reach the pass in 1½ to 2 hours. In the other direction, the climb is gentler but endless. The scenery is magnificent. We stopped for a picnic after a 45-minute descent, stopping at the edge of the waterfall. Duration of the tour: 4.5 hours (compared to 5 hours 40 minutes in the other direction). In any case, the route is divided between mountain scenery and woodland. Very beautiful and very pleasant.

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Date of walk : Sep 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

nice loop. Detour still in place

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Date of walk : Jul 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

superb circuit, the detour via Roranches is still in place but I met a mountain biker who had travelled along the closed trail without any problems. Pretty chapel in Roranches, trail exposed in places, ascent time 4 hours 20 minutes via the detour, 6 hours for the circuit, and I found a distance of 14 km on my GPS. A challenging circuit to be done in dry weather

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Date of walk : Jun 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike, magnificent views, well-marked trail, perfect signage!

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Date of walk : Oct 30, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

3 comments:

1. I found this route to be 16 km long using GPS

2. i prefer to do the circuit in the opposite direction because otherwise the climb is endless.

3. the diversion is still in place following the rockfall, but the old GR trail is passable and worth taking on this fairly long loop.

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Hello and thank you for your comment.
I have a question for you: Is the diversion still in place or can we use the GRP again along its original route?
Thank you in advance

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