The Pas de Saint-Vincent, Pierre-Chauve and the Col de Tourniol

While the Pas de Saint-Vincent and Pierre-Chauve are classics in the area, the route described here is less so... You'll need strong legs to climb the 300 m ascent below the Pas, save some energy to reach the summit of Pierre-Chauve, and a good sense of direction to reach Tourniol... but what a treat for the eyes!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 892 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 885 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,307 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 421 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from Barbières, cross the village towards the Col de Tourniol and park at the exit after passing the Pertuis (narrow passage between two cliffs). Small car park on the left.

(S/E) Pass through Le Pertuis towards the village of Barbières (climbing site on the left, cave on the right) and immediately turn left onto Route des Chovets (signposted, yellow/red markings forthe GR® de Pays du Tour des Monts du Matin). About 350 m further on, look out for the passage on the left between a wall and a house (fire hydrant).

(1) Turn left (if you miss this passage, take thefirst road on the left, which joins the route). The path goes around a property and joins the road (Chemin de la Garde). Continue straight ahead following the yellow/red markings, ignoring a road on the left leading to a property. The road becomes a path, climbs, and after a good kilometre reaches a good track at a small pass (signpost for Chemin des Buissonnats), turn left towards Le Soufflot (yellow and yellow/red markings).

(2) Continue along the track, following the yellow and yellow/red markings (there are several other unmarked tracks and paths). Continue until you reach a ford.

(3) There are two options for crossing the ford:
- either continue along the trail that goes around Les Baumettes (GR® de Pays),
- or take a more adventurous shortcut (marked on the map) (poorly maintained path, more stony, some brambles, slightly steeper, unmarked...). Then turn immediately left after the ford, continue roughly straight ahead, ignore a path on the left after 200 m, and about 400 m further on, zigzag from one path to another (left, right, left) to reach the Col de Côteplane and find theGR® de Pays markings again.

(4) From the Col de Côteplane, follow the yellow/redGR® de Pays markings for more than 2 km (passing the directional signs for "Champ des Pins" and "Le Soufflot des Crapaudes"). At the second signpost for "Le Soufflot des Crapaudes" (the signposts are about 50 metres apart), take the path opposite (south-east) which leads to the shoulder.

(5) From this point onwards, there are no more yellow/red markings, only a few old yellow markings that have faded over time, and occasionally some red arrows. This is where the steep climb to Pas de Saint-Vincent begins. The path, which is fairly well marked, follows the shoulder and then veers further south after a climb of about 100 metres, still following the shoulder. After about 50 metres, the path turns left onto the northern slope (a small, misleading path starts a few metres below, so be careful and do not turn left until you have spotted a large yellow mark and a red arrow on the trees).

(6) The path then runs along the rocks, and after about 150 metres, watch out for two cairns indicating the passage between the rocks, then turn right.

(7) The passage is not difficult, but it can be slippery! Be careful not to fall several metres. The path, which is not always easy to spot, climbs back up the shoulder (look carefully for the old yellow markings and any cairns!), and finally levels out to reach the rock chaos of the Pas de Saint-Vincent. At the junction with the path coming from the village of Saint-Vincent on the right, continue straight ahead and after a final climb, you will emerge at Pas de Saint-Vincent.

(8) From the pass, cross the pastures heading east, following the cliffs (with caution), the visible sections of the path, and sometimes weaving between the box trees. Reach the Sommet Pierre Chauve (cross), where the view of the cliffs and the Vercors is exceptional.

(9) Retrace your steps to the passage in the fence between the shrubs and box trees. Continue downhill through the pastures, gradually moving away from the cliffs along the fence. Reach a small shoulder and a large, clearly visible cairn.

(10) Turn left at the cairn and follow the fence, which heads south towards a large pasture clearly visible below. When you reach the pasture, cross it or continue along the fence (pass it so that it is on your right and you will soon find a well-marked path) heading east (respect the herds and keep dogs on a leash).
Head towards the ruins of Le Ronzier and shortly afterwards you will come to a crossroads.

(11) Turn left and then, a few metres further on, turn left again (pass between two fence posts). The very pleasant path completes the circuit around Pierre Chauve, gradually turning north-east. After 400 m, ignore a wide path on the right. After another 300 m, when the path turns right and then forks, take the left-hand path (the right-hand path joins the road prematurely at a hairpin bend). Reach the Col de Tourniol.

(12) Pass the pass heading north, and shortly after the memorial to the 1989 plane crash, take the path on the left. This well-marked path (a few orange horse riding route markers) crosses the D101 road several times (be careful). After 1 km of descent, you will arrive at the signpost for "La Grande Côte". Continue along the path towards Barbières.

(13) From this point, the path is marked in yellow, and the markings should be followed to Barbières. Sometimes on the north side, sometimes on the shoulder, the path joins the road at La Liore (signpost, small enclosure). Cross the D101 (take care) and find a path veering to the left until you reach another signpost a few metres away marked "Chemin de Cany".

(14) Then turn right. Continue to follow the yellow markings and ignore any unmarked paths. After about 1 km, you will come to a picturesque staircase. 400 m further on, you will reach the Route du Col (below the D101).

(15) At the signpost for "La Muletière", turn left towards "Camping Gallo-Romain" "Barbières". Go past the first hairpin bend and follow the road for about 250 m, then take the path that is not very visible in a field and starting at the second hairpin bend, heading north. Walk along a hedge on your right for 300 m (the path passes on the other side of the hedge, but is quite difficult to follow due to fallen trees and branches). Find the well-marked path at the end of the hedge, which turns left and descends towards the Ruisseau des Marais stream. Cross the stream (ford without removing your shoes) and walk along the left side of a house to reach the Gallo-Roman Campsite and the D101 road.

(16) Turn left onto the road and return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 435 m - Car park at the village exit after Le Pertuis, near - Barberolle (Rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 428 m - Passage between wall and house
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 476 m - Turn left at the track
  4. 3 : km 2.41 - alt. 533 m - Shortcut to the left after the ford (no markings)
  5. 4 : km 2.86 - alt. 614 m - On the left - Col de Côteplane (620m)
  6. 5 : km 5.07 - alt. 805 m - Le Soufflot des Crapaudes, trail opposite
  7. 6 : km 5.65 - alt. 920 m - On the left (yellow mark and red arrow)
  8. 7 : km 5.81 - alt. 956 m - Turn right at the cairn
  9. 8 : km 6.21 - alt. 1,103 m - Pas de Saint-Vincent (1108m)
  10. 9 : km 7.66 - alt. 1,307 m - Summit - Pierre Chauve
  11. 10 : km 8.05 - alt. 1,219 m - Cairn, on the left
  12. 11 : km 8.67 - alt. 1,200 m - Turn left twice
  13. 12 : km 9.59 - alt. 1,149 m - Col de Tourniol (1145m)
  14. 13 : km 10.54 - alt. 938 m - La Grande Côte, follow the yellow markings
  15. 14 : km 12.07 - alt. 773 m - Chemin de Cany signpost, trail on the right
  16. 15 : km 13.53 - alt. 578 m - La Muletière signpost, on the left
  17. 16 : km 14.43 - alt. 484 m - Route D101, on the left
  18. S/E : km 15.28 - alt. 435 m - Car park

Notes

The trail can be very slippery below the Pas de Saint-Vincent, so wear sturdy shoes, possibly walking sticks, and be very careful after rain or in winter conditions.

There is no water on the route, but all amenities are available in Barbières.

Worth a visit

From the Col de Côteplane to the Soufflot, there are beautiful views of the foothills of the Vercors to the south.

The Pas de Saint-Vincent pass with its rocky chaos is very spectacular.

Unique panorama at the summit of Pierre Chauve. To the east, the cliffs of Montagne de l'Epenet, Roc de Toulaud, Grande Moucherolle, Mont Blanc (on a clear day...) and Léoncel below. To the north, Drôme des Collines and Barbières. To the west, the Valence plain and Ardèche. To the south, the Vercors to La Raye (slightly hidden by the trees at the summit, but clearly visible on the descent towards the Col de Tourniol).

Monument in tribute to the victims of the Paris-Valence flight disaster on 10 April 1989.

The village of Barbières (climbing site, caves).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
MICHEL PETIT
MICHEL PETIT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 5 hours and 45 minutes. Difficulties on the climb to Pas de St Vincent (virtually no markings where the gradient is steepest). For me, this was one of my most difficult hikes, particularly because of the aforementioned section.
Otherwise, the views are superb. I really enjoyed it.

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Flandin Gilbert
Flandin Gilbert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb up to Pierre Chauve is a little off the beaten track. To descend towards the Col de la Tourniol, keep to the left to rejoin the trail.

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MissVertigo
MissVertigo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on Thursday, 8 May 2025. Great!
The route is indeed different from the usual climb to Pas de St Vincent. Very easy at the start, you need strong calves for the final climb to Pas; points 5 to 8 (I found it more difficult than the other one);
Very beautiful landscapes, whether in the woods, meadows, or around Pierre Chauve.... Very varied, and the change of slope makes the route really interesting.
Long descent after the Col de Tourniol, the trail was muddy that day... caution and slow progress!
Regarding vertigo: I was a little apprehensive about arriving at Pierre Chauve, but... I made it (= everyone makes it! ) You have to stay close to the box trees, as far away from the cliffs as possible.
In short, thank you Petitspas26 for this original and magnificent route!!!!!

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rvblanc
rvblanc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but for experienced walkers or trail runners. Very few markings, so you'll need to navigate by azimuth. Magnificent view of the Romans plain. The descent poses no technical difficulties. There is no water or possibility of refuelling along the entire route, so be sure to take an extra cereal bar with you.

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Sandrine.B
Sandrine.B
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike that rewards us well for our efforts. The climb is long but not steep. However, at this very wet time of year, with a thick carpet of leaves, we slipped many times, especially once we turned towards the rock for the climb before the Saint Vincent Pass. But what a view when we reached the top! The descent was also slippery due to the leaves, but nothing complicated. There was a hunt in progress on the trail, but they were very friendly and warned us of our passage by walkie-talkie. No problems with the trail or private property; everything is well marked.

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bb66
bb66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent summit with a beautiful 360° view.
Relatively steep climb: be careful in wet weather.
Lots of undergrowth
On the descent from Mirador de Leoncel, the route passes through the middle of a field: keep to the left to rejoin the trail further on.
You often need to check the GPX file and add at least 1 km to the route. Our odometers showed 16 km

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philibert Bruno
philibert Bruno

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike
but the descent is a bit slippery in places

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 6 hours with GPS tracking. Almost no one else out on this spring day until we reached the Col de Tourniol. Beautiful chaos, magnificent flower-filled meadows, several viewpoints. Between points 10 and 11, I was forced to cut across a pasture, which was private property with no right of way (to avoid this, you can take the direct path that runs along the top of the pasture). Even though the descent is a bit long, I recommend it. Thanks to the author for this route

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Runnerup
Runnerup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The distance was 18 km on my Garmin Fenix 6 GPS watch

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Divero
Divero

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good morning
we left around 9am from the car park in the centre of Barbières. The climb to Pas de Saint-Vincent is much more pleasant than when you leave from Peyrus – a real change of scenery! It took us 7½ hours from the centre, including a snack break and the climb up Pierre-Chauve.
The scenery is magnificent and varied, one of our best hikes.
Be careful, the descent from Tourniol is very rocky!
No one on the climb, a few people at Pas Saint-Vincent, lots of hikers at Pierre Chauve!

Thanks to petitspas26

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L.M GREGOIRE
L.M GREGOIRE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lots of people this Sunday coming down from Tourniol
Superb conditions

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mika3270
mika3270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, with many viewpoints. I know the area, but I loved it

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Redone as a group on a magnificent day.
It's always a great pleasure to watch from Pierre Chauve.
After lockdown, this breath of fresh air really did the body and mind good!
Thanks to the author

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Thy07
Thy07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, without any real difficulties.
Admittedly, the climb to Pas de St Vincent requires some effort, but there are so many great photo opportunities among the chaotic rock formations that you quickly catch your breath.
I had already been to Pierre Chauve starting from Léoncel, but this circular, although more demanding, is much more interesting

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike from the traditional village of Barbières.
Magnificent views from Pas St Vincent and Pierre Chauve with fairly strong winds.
It takes quite an effort to reach the pass!
Many thanks to the author

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