The Pas de l'Oeille and its ibexes

A hike in the heart of the Vercors to discover ibex (numerous and not shy in these mountains). And as a bonus on arrival, beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 322 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 884 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,955 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,151 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the arrival station of the Côte 2000 cable car.

(S/E) When you get off the cable car, take the road on the left.

(1) Just before the first hairpin bend, turn left towards Pas d'Oeille (signposted) and follow the path (green and yellow markings and cairns).

(2) When you reach the Gerbier ridges, take the path climbing up to the right towards Pas d'Oeille (signpost).

(3) Leave a path on the left that goes horizontally and continue until you find a passage where you need to use your hands. Continue climbing until you reach Pas de l'Oeille.

(4) At Pas de l'Oeille, retrace your steps and don't hesitate to climb up to the edge of the cliff to admire the view.

(3) Shortly after the passage where you need to use your hands, leave the descending trail and take the horizontal trail that branches off slightly to the right. Follow it to the scree slope of the Combe Charbonnière

(5) Descend the scree on the left towards the Vallon de la Fauge (signpost). In the forest, follow the descending trail and ignore the small trails branching off to the right. When you reach the bottom of the Charbonnière valley, at the edge of the forest, continue straight ahead towards the Fauge sheepfold.

(6) At the sheepfold, take the wide path on the left.

(7) Leave the Fauge shelter on your left and a little further on, at the edge of the forest, turn left towards Les Glovettes (signpost).

(8) When you reach a wide path, take the small path downhill that branches off slightly to the left. Once you are back on a wide path, turn right.

(9) Shortly afterwards, leave the path and take the ski trail on the left, which will take you back to Les Glovettes. Continue downhill until you reach the road.

(10) At the road, turn left to return to the car park at the gondola departure station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,722 m - Arrival station for the Côte 2000 cable car
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 1,749 m - Direction Pas de l'Oeille
  3. 2 : km 1.7 - alt. 1,793 m - Head off to the right (ascending trail)
  4. 3 : km 1.84 - alt. 1,842 m - Crossroads for the outward and return journey
  5. 4 : km 2.58 - alt. 1,950 m - Pas de l'Œille
  6. 5 : km 5.11 - alt. 1,663 m - Descend the scree slope on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.67 - alt. 1,343 m - At the sheepfold, turn left
  8. 7 : km 7.03 - alt. 1,312 m - 100 metres to the left - Abri de la Fauge
  9. 8 : km 7.65 - alt. 1,326 m - Take the small path opposite
  10. 9 : km 7.95 - alt. 1,282 m - Go via the ski slope
  11. 10 : km 8.87 - alt. 1,162 m - Continue along the road to the car park
  12. E : km 9.47 - alt. 1,152 m - Departure station for the Côte 2000 cable car

Notes

A good pair of shoes is essential, especially for the descent into the scree of the Combe Charbonnière.
To reach the Pas de l'Oeille, you will need to use your hands to get through one section.
The cable cars operate in summer from July to August

Worth a visit

There are many ibexes and they are not shy. You may even find them at the edge of the trails, in which case you should take a detour so as not to disturb them.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
pat56270
pat56270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty hike that can be done with children (who can walk...) No need to use your hands at point 3.
The hike is fairly easy, but be careful on the descent (900 m elevation loss) and watch out for rocks rolling down the scree. There are large herds of ibex (about sixty) and they are not very shy... The return via the Vallon de la Fauge is very pleasant.
In short, a beautiful hike for families who enjoy walking. Duration: 4 hours without breaks
Cable car: £10 per person

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furaxofmarseille
furaxofmarseille

The irony is that the dog's owner blamed the marmots for scaring the ibex, without realising that it was his dog that had no business being at Pas de l'Oeille!

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

I completely agree! It's really unfortunate that some people bring their dogs along, and often don't even keep them on a leash...

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furaxofmarseille
furaxofmarseille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that I had already done starting from Les Clos. What an excellent idea to use the cable car in this heat.
The ibexes were out in force, you'd think they were sponsored by the tourist office!
It's a shame that some walkers don't keep their dogs on a leash.
AND a magnificent view of the ridges on arrival.
I had a little trouble finding the trail at point 8, which is perfectly described but hidden by vegetation
Here's a glimpse in a short, unpretentious video: https://youtu.be/LOLRaeWsrrM

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Francou38
Francou38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Thanks for the cable car, it saves a very steep climb.
There were a lot of people on the trail.
Unfortunately for us, the ibex weren't out that day.
Fortunately, a griffon vulture was circling in the blue sky, and in the valley several marmots were basking in the sun.

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

I completely agree.

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phineleo
phineleo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Ascent by cable car and descent on foot. Magnificent scenery with ibex, marmots and beautiful flowers.

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

I completely agree.

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Louvard
Louvard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike where we encountered ibex and marmots in a magnificent landscape

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is very good, but given the high number of visitors, it is advisable to climb to the top of the Grande Combe, taking the path on the right from the Pas de l'Oeille (15 minutes from the Pas de l'Oeille) to see as many ibex as possible. The ibex are often found on the right of the path as you climb towards the Grande Combe.
It is possible to make a loop from the top of the Grande Combe, but it is preferable to descend via the same route you took on the way up, as the descent on the other side is off-trail or on unmarked tracks with dangerous, exposed sections and two areas where you will need to use your hands on rocks on 45° slopes with few handholds and a high risk of falling, even in dry weather.

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olivieroct60
olivieroct60
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The ibexes above the Pas de l'Oeille were right where we expected them to be. We set off and returned from the Croix des Glovettes. We're less under the ski lifts now.

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Picson06230
Picson06230

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please ensure that the cable car is working, otherwise you will have a long climb ahead of you.
A very beautiful hike that ended in the mist rising from the Isère valley, depriving us of the views on that side.
Combe Charbonnière: there is a much better trail under the southern ridge than the one recommended on the map.
As for the ibex, what a shame! A few noisy hikers got the better of their patience.
To be done again!

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tupin69
tupin69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I think it was a good idea to do it this way, because the section in the scree would not have been easy to descend.
I think you need to go early if you want to see the ibex (I didn't see any... maybe there were too many people or we started too late, we were at the Pas de l'Oeil at midday)
thanks again.

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randonneur38
randonneur38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hike: 5 hours total, easy for families with children, etc. Parking at Les Glovettes. Directions for returning to the station: . Otherwise, you'll encounter lots of ibexes. Beautiful 360° view. If possible, climb the last kilometre at Pas de L'Oeil for an even better view. A must-do. Thanks again!

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Nananouille
Nananouille
• Edited:

Thanks so much!! Is it still worth doing? Or are we missing out on the best part? X) I'll be with my mum, who has knee problems :/

Thanks again for your replies

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