The Col du Pouzenc

If you are in the Serre Ponçon area, this hike is well worth the climb. You will walk through a very quiet valley that is rarely visited, even in the height of summer, inhabited only by marmots and a few chamois, and hundreds of alpine flowers of all kinds in July!
There is an impressive view of Serre-Ponçon once you reach the pass.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,212 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,215 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,741 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,662 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the road to Les Orres and climb towards Station 1800.
In a bend before the resort, park in a large car park at a place called Pra Paisset.

(S) Take the forest track towards "Sources de Jérusalem" and Lac Sainte Margueritte.

(1) After a 45-minute walk, at the fork, leave the lake track on the left and head towards "Les Sources".

(2) After 100 metres, at the foot of the Source de Jérusalem, take the path on the left that climbs into the woods towards Vallon de Muretier, which is well signposted. Climb up and you will arrive in the valley, where you will see lots of marmots.
The valley is quite long and as you reach the end, you will find a large snowfield (there are several) which makes the tracks a little unclear. Follow the numerous cairns and the direction of the pass, which is clearly visible below Pouzenc, which rises to 2,898 m. From there, veer to the right and climb steeply through scree to reach a flat area, ideal for admiring the valley from above.

(3) Then follow the path on the left, which climbs steeply for 100 to 200 metres, but with the same elevation gain.

(4) When you reach the pass, the view is impressive, with the lake visible at the bottom of the neighbouring valley.
From the pass, you can go left to the nearby summit, Auta 2770, via a draye, but be careful as it is a little exposed.
For the more agile and those without vertigo, it is possible to climb (that's the right word, using your hands) to the summit of Pouzenc 2898 m (I didn't have the courage this time), which is a little risky on your own.
After taking in the stunning scenery and flowers, head back down the same path to the car park (E).

In July, I came across sheep and patous. But it was nice to see the shepherd there!

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,665 m - Parking at a place called Pra Paisset
  2. 1 : km 2.31 - alt. 1,929 m - At the fork, leave the lake trail on your left
  3. 2 : km 2.84 - alt. 1,969 m - Sources de Jérusalem
  4. 3 : km 6.62 - alt. 2,691 m - Follow the path on the left, which climbs very steeply
  5. 4 : km 7.12 - alt. 2,741 m - Col du Pouzenc
  6. S/E : km 14.22 - alt. 1,663 m - Parking at a place called Pra Paisset

Notes

IGN map because the trail can be a little "unclear" at times due to snowfields, but if you hike regularly, there's no need to worry.
Be careful, as the snowfields are often slippery and it is easy to take a tumble.

Worth a visit

Go to the beautiful waterfall spring.
It is called "Sources de Jérusalem" (Sources of Jerusalem) because the land and the spring, until the 18th century, and the entire Vallon de Muretier area belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and Malta.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
MMY
MMY

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The trail disappears into the scree at the foot of the pass. A few cairns are visible on the descent to help you find your way back.
On the section leading to the top of the pass, the suggested route is parish specific to Brittany and very far to the right of the path.
Little wildlife.
Very few people (we encountered a parish specific to Brittany)
Summit not reached due to sensitivity to vertigo
I linger over the view, which is less breathtaking than the peak of Morgon, but with the significant advantage of feeling alone!

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Nico84220
Nico84220
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that I did on 11 July 2024. The remaining snowfields did not cover the trail, but the very steep trail leading up to the pass was sometimes difficult to see on the way up (easier on the way down). I agree with the previous comments: the view from the top of Pouzenc is superb! I found that the climb between the pass and the summit wasn't that difficult in the end. You have to follow the orange markers (discreet but numerous) and the few cairns. You do need to use your hands on two or three short sections and the slope is very steep (a word of warning for those who are afraid of heights), but there is good footing. It's less daunting than it looks (almost less difficult than the descent between the pass and the valley). The path shared with other hikers at the start of the route is quite busy, but most hikers are heading up to Lake Ste Marguerite. I only met two people in the Vallon de Muretier. Unfortunately, I didn't see many animals either, just two or three marmots and a herd of cows (but no sheep or sheepdogs). There is no water from the Vallon de Muretier onwards, but there is plenty at the Jerusalem springs.

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Hodophil
Hodophil
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike quite early, in June, and yet there was no trace of snow, either in the valley or at higher altitudes. A very dry winter and two heatwaves, in May and June, had melted the last of the snowfields.

A superb hike in a very wild setting, despite the relative proximity of the Les Orres resort. In the Muretier valley, up to the Col du Pouzenc, I only came across four people in total.

The path is easy to follow until you reach the valley (clear signs, well-marked trail). It gets more complicated at the bottom of the valley (2,350 m) when climbing up to the pass. The trail branches off to the right into a large scree slope. You have to be very careful to follow the cairns so as not to stray from the trail, which is quite faint at the beginning. Leaving the scree, the path tackles a very steep, very difficult section to reach the plateau. After the plateau, a second very steep section leads to the pass. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the pass from the bottom of the valley.

At the Col du Pouzenc, the view is spectacular in all directions. The passage to the south towards the Auta is very exposed, off the trail, above rocky outcrops. I did not insist and stopped before the altitude of 2731. I did not attempt the climb to the summit of Pouzenc either.

The descent from the pass is impressive and requires vigilance with every step due to the steep slope.

In the valley, you find peace and serenity, with marmots everywhere.

A stop at the Jésuralem springs is welcome on the descent to refill your water bottles.

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Pascale Boedts
Pascale Boedts

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A well-marked, challenging hike to Col de Pouzenc, especially from Vallon de Muretier. We went to the summit, which is reserved for people who are not afraid of heights and have serious mountain experience. The final section between the pass and the summit (240 metres of elevation gain) is incredibly impressive but, despite everything, achievable and accessible thanks to the presence of cairns. Unfortunately, these are more visible on the descent than on the ascent.
Be sure to bring enough to drink. We only found a little water at the Jerusalem springs. The pipe coming from the spring was blocked.

The view at the Col de Pouzenc is truly beautiful and exceptional at the summit.

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Laporte Sophie
Laporte Sophie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with a varied route. The valley is full of flowers and you can see lots of marmots. We went as far as the Pouzenc Pass. The climb is difficult but the view is splendid. We don't regret it! It was a wonderful day spent with the family...

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Zibounu
Zibounu

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Perhaps not the best season to visit the valley, this late autumn, as it's a bit dreary.
Magnificent view from the pass.
The route is a bit off-centre. Stay on the path.

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Audrey0000
Audrey0000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike.
We saw marmots and chamois! We were treated to a beautiful spectacle.
Not to mention the view once we reached the Pouzenc Pass.

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Jerome0000
Jerome0000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike!
Crossing the valley is a real pleasure: beautiful scenery, peace and quiet, marmots, but no snow.
For the final climb, follow the cairns carefully. A bit tough, but so good...
I didn't attempt the summit because I was on my own.
Thank you for this hike!

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chtidu04
chtidu04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

__Very beautiful hike.
We went all the way to the summit: breathtaking views.
From the pass, head for the ridge on the right and follow the cairns

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annie.carotenuto@bbox.fr
annie.carotenuto@bbox.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike where we were alone! A beautiful arrival at the pass. No difficulty finding the trail. There was no more snow!
We saw chamois and marmots in the valley
We finished off with Lake Ste Marguerite on the way back. A beautiful spot for a snack!

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TJRandos
TJRandos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
We were delighted by the wide variety of landscapes, especially the little valley at the end of which the marmots were waiting for us. The view from the pass was superb, a reward after the last fairly tough climb.
In the last 300 metres, we had some difficulty finding the path. The presence of a few snowfields covering the tracks, cairns that were not always visible in the scree and, above all, white markings disrupted our orientation. (But who had the idea of marking the path with small white squares measuring 4 cm on each side? Had these painters never hiked in the mountains?)

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daubram05
daubram05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a shame to climb up to the pass and not go to the summit (preferably with two people).
The hike can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgupL1Mm...

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lulutortue
lulutortue

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike,

The last 200 metres are indeed challenging, but the arrival in the valley is well worth the effort!

I didn't go all the way to the end as I was on my own...

I did encounter snow and marmots, though.

Thank you!

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phil.breizh
phil.breizh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Tough at the end, we were looking for a challenge until we climbed the finish...
Otherwise, it was a lovely walk, no snow for us, and the trail was easy to follow. So peaceful!

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