The small pass du Tat and the Malmort Forest

(S/E) Start from Le Courtil. Cross the D117, take the path that climbs southwards and joins the D17.

(1) Cross with care, head straight ahead and then turn immediately right, following the yellow markings. Continue first south, then south-west.

(2) Ignore a path on the left and carry straight on. Pass through Bois la Baume, at the foot of the ridge of the same name, following a series of bends.

(3) On leaving the woods, head straight on to pass in front of the Roumayou and its spring. Climb the path to reach the Collet du Tat and enjoy the view. This is the highest point of your day.

(4) Turn back for a few dozen metres, then turn left onto the^GR® de Pays “Tour du Dévoluy variant” towards the Joue du Loup ski resort.

(5) Ignore the path on the right and continue in the same direction to enter the resort. Join the D17c.

(6) Turn right and continue until you reach the D17 at the Col de Rioupes.

(7) Turn right, then, about fifty metres further on, turn left onto the yellow-marked path which first runs along the edge of the forest, then deep into the woods heading north-north-east.

(8) At the junction, carry on straight ahead along the path which heads due north and descends into the Bois de Malmort, taking first a right-hand bend and then a left-hand bend. The route then turns north-west to reach the D117.

(9) Cross with care to join the small D520 road opposite. At the bridge, head down to the right along the banks of the Souloise, staying on its left bank; this is the lowest point of your walk.
Follow the stream upstream along the path, which is marked in yellow throughout. A few hairpin bends with a steeper incline lead to the junction with the Chemin du Puits des Bans, which is on the opposite bank.

(10) Continue straight on (south) along the path until you reach the D17 road at a hairpin bend, near the houses in Malmort.

(11) Take the road on the left and follow it carefully for about 1 km to reach Le Courtil (S/E).

No special equipment required; water is available at Le Courtil, La Fontaine du Roumayou and La Joue du Loup.
Shelter is available at La Joue du Loup and, if necessary, at Rioupes… or under the Cerise bridge.

(S/E) Don’t miss the fountain and the chapel
- “Les Chanterelles” cheese shop at Le Courtil – sheep’s cheese and lamb.
- “Interstellaire du Dévoluy” brewery in Le Courtil, just to quench your thirst a little...

(10) On the left, the Puy des Bans for caving. This isn’t something you can just turn up for – specialist equipment is required.

The Via Ferrata des Étroits. Please note: specialised equipment is essential. As you follow the road, you’ll get a lovely view of it, which might just whet your appetite.

The Joue du Loup resort with its shops and mountain activities.

La Mère Église and its cemetery in Saint-Disdier.