Le Fourchat, summit of Montagne de l'Archier

This hike provides access to a beautiful panoramic ridge between Drôme and Hautes-Alpes. The fairly high altitude offers magnificent views and an exceptional 360° panorama of the Rosanais region, from Ventoux in the south to Dévoluy and Vercors in the north.

Details

308703
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 484 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 484 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,559 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,071 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is at Col de Pommerol or La Fromagère, between Drôme and Hautes-Alpes, on the D338 from La Charce and the D25 from Rosans. Park in the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, walk a few metres north and take the small track on the right that leads uphill. Leave the horizontal track on your left.
Follow this track, which climbs quite steeply.

(1) Follow the track to the right horizontally, leaving the barely visible path on your left. Then, the track turns left uphill. Follow it to a small plateau near Rocher Pointu (elevation 1402).

(2) You can go right on the ridge, make a round trip to Rocher Pointu, elevation 1402, and enjoy a beautiful view of the valley. Return to the junction on the path and continue to the right.

(3) Follow the ridge to the left towards the summit. The path becomes more discreet, crossing limestone slabs and smooth sharp limestone pavement, which can be tricky in wet weather, then arrives at the foot of the final ridge, which is a little steeper but not particularly difficult.

(4) At the summit of Le Fourchat, enjoy the view. Return via the same route (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,075 m - Col de Pommerol car park
  2. 1 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,286 m - Follow the track to the right horizontally.
  3. 2 : km 1.64 - alt. 1,391 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.05 - alt. 1,453 m - Follow the ridge towards the summit.
  5. 4 : km 2.66 - alt. 1,559 m - Le Fourchat
  6. S/E : km 5.16 - alt. 1,075 m - Col de Pommerol car park

Notes

No water.
Before the summit, there is a traverse of smooth limestone slabs, which can be tricky in wet weather.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No major difficulties on the way to the summit. Good footwear is required as the final section is steep and requires good grip
It's a shame that the markings are a bit faded, as is the case with all the trails in the area, which are not maintained

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Sylvie Dessales Fazio
Sylvie Dessales Fazio
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No surprise there, it climbs... climbs... climbs all the way up to Le Fourchat.
It's a round trip, so the elevation gains are quite steep and therefore also positive.
I would describe this hike as moderate for experienced hikers and difficult for novices, even though it is short.
On the other hand, the 360° view is simply magnificent...

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Vivestido
Vivestido

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

No surprises here: the outward journey is uphill and the return journey is downhill, but with a moderate gradient...
We did this hike on a scorching hot day, but luckily only the section between points 3 and 4 is in the sun. However, as you quickly reach the ridge, there is always a bit of a breeze, so it's very pleasant. Fifty metres after the summit of Fourchat, you can even find a spot in the shade to stop for a bite to eat...
Very beautiful 360° view.

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dan 0145
dan 0145

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat challenging and continuous climb to the summit, where the view is superb.

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Ouh là là
Ouh là là

Not done (beaten in progress) but instead we set off opposite, on a hike that goes around Raton and can be split into two. Once we reached the viewpoint, we followed the ridge towards Fourchat, then took a path, which was quite difficult to spot, that took us back to the car park, first through scrubland and then through woods.

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Ouh là là
Ouh là là

We couldn't do the hike (hunting season in progress) but it does look like quite a climb!

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Marc Girardet
Marc Girardet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The final stretch of this hike is very scenic and the panoramic view from the summit is exceptional.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Hello Kriss 13

There are no major risks for your children as long as they are properly supervised. The summit of Montagne de l'Archier is on the edge of a cliff.
In terms of difficulty, I think it would be challenging for a 5-year-old, and even a 7-year-old, if they are not used to this type of hike.
Best regards.

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Coralie W
Coralie W

Hello,

I have given you my opinion in response to the private message you sent me.

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Kriss13
Kriss13

Hello,

Is the course suitable for children aged 5 and 7? I am referring to safety rather than difficulty.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

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Coralie W
Coralie W

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The short distance and reasonable elevation gain could be misleading: the climb is tough, and the descent is tiring.
The hike is mostly sheltered from the wind and sun, and the paths are easy and pleasant. However, be careful on a few short sections over rocky slabs as you reach the summit.
The route is very easy to follow, with very little risk of taking a wrong turn.
The view from the summit is superb and well worth the effort.
The ascent takes 45 minutes and the descent 30 minutes.

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alainpastor
alainpastor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This is a very steep hike, so you need to take your time if you don't want to get out of breath right from the start. But the reward at the top is a 360° panorama of the Vercors, the Southern Alps, etc. This hike is ideal for those who don't have much time. The trail is well marked, and the Visorando description is useful.

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zeus001
zeus001

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hi there, done on 14 November 2016. For those who enjoy short, fairly steep walks, this hike is perfect ^^ For runners, this route is ideal. A 5 km hike with a 450 m elevation gain. My friend, who isn't used to this kind of thing, found it a bit tough towards the end. But I would describe it as short, athletic and spectacular. Once at the top, the view is absolutely magnificent. It is even possible to continue once at the top, but unfortunately we didn't have time. So in my opinion, be careful if you are not athletic, as the hike can be surprising due to its steep climb despite the short distance. Done with GPS, so easy to follow.

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ardechom
ardechom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Exceptional views from one of the most beautiful peaks in the Rosanne region. This peak is well worth a visit.

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