The Ambel Plateau

de fr

A panoramic hike with spectacular landscapes and countless 360° views, in a preserved area.

Details

n°40627398
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.23 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,591 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,562 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,934 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,701 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at La Gardiol, 2 km east of the Col de la Bataille.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the D199 with care, passing the Resistance monument. Enter the Plateau d’Ambel site and head towards the Tête de la Dame. Reach the Vernâtre junction.

(1) Join theGR®®93(Traversée du Vercors) and head right. Pass the Refuge d’Ambel and enter the woodland. Climb about a hundred metres before emerging from the forest to reach the Pas du Gouillat junction.

(2) From here, the views are endless. Turn left and follow the ridge path. Pass the Croix d’Ambel and continue along the ridge. After the descent towards the Pas de la Garde, head back up through the pastures to reach the Sarnats junction (elevation 1384).

(3) Ignore the path on the right to stay on the original route, whilst following the fence.
Continue the ascent to reach the Tête de la Dame (the highest point of this walk).

(4) The view is breathtaking! A marvellous 360° panorama featuring, for example, the Grand Veymont, the Grande Tête de l’Obiou, the Diois Valley, Omblèze and more. Begin the descent towards the Pas de Rouisse.

(5) Ignore the path branching off to the right and follow the sign for “Les Moutons” along a ridge path.

(6) Turn left towards the Refuge de Tubanet and cross the mountain pasture without straying from the track. This track leads to a forest track.

(7) Follow the track on the left until you reach the signpost for the Refuge du Tubanet.

(8) Turn left and enter the woodland. After a few ascents, go through a gate (don’t forget to close it behind you) and descend along a path that gradually turns into a track. Return to the junction at the start.

(1) Follow the same route back in the opposite direction to complete this magnificent walk (out and back).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,701 ft - Gardiol Refuge car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.9 - alt. 3,924 ft - Le Vernâtre junction
  3. 2 : mi 1.73 - alt. 4,350 ft - Pas du Gouillat junction
  4. 3 : mi 2.66 - alt. 4,541 ft - Sarnats junction
  5. 4 : mi 3.44 - alt. 4,934 ft - Tête de la Dame
  6. 5 : mi 3.99 - alt. 4,606 ft - Pas du Rouisse junction
  7. 6 : mi 4.9 - alt. 4,613 ft - Les Moutons junction
  8. 7 : mi 6.52 - alt. 4,386 ft - Tubanet junction
  9. 8 : mi 6.67 - alt. 4,357 ft - Tubanet Mountain Hut
  10. S/E : mi 9.23 - alt. 3,704 ft - Gardiol Refuge car park

Notes

Watch a video of the walk via the following link: https://youtu.be/Mii_3kWXku4

A great spot for listening to the stag’s bellow.

Dogs (even on a lead) are not permitted from 1 June to 30 October inclusive.

Points (S/E) to (1) and (2) to (7) are in constant sunlight.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
alethpretet@live.fr
alethpretet@live.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route across this plateau. It’s not difficult, but you do need to be very careful when approaching the cliffs.
It’s very windy along the whole route, and even more so on the ridges.
This walk is not recommended in foggy weather
Stunning views of the Vercors, the Diois, …
Unfortunately, the mountain pastures were very dry due to the scorching summer!

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MAGGIORE Joseph
MAGGIORE Joseph

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Practical tip: park in the Gardiole car park
Easy access via the path leading to the foot of the plateau.
The climb up to the Tête de la Dame is long and arduous.
Best avoided on days with strong or even moderate winds.
Once you reach the highest point, the Tête de la Dame, the view is magnificent and makes the effort worthwhile.
The circular return loop is a bit monotonous if you stay on the plateau.
As I didn’t take the ridge path, I can’t comment on that section.
It ends with a steep climb, which is manageable, before descending back to the car park.

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catche
catche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route with beautiful scenery. We did it on foot.
The paths are very accessible. And the climb is easy.
Make sure you check the strength of the mistral on the day of the hike.

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jctrimintin
jctrimintin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, splendid hike! We heard the deer bellowing and saw vultures. I use a Garmin GPS and had no difficulty following the trail. The trail is easy to follow. Only the climb to the Tête de la Dame is a little steep, but otherwise there are no difficulties.

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de BAST Alain
de BAST Alain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

To be done and redone with young and old alike. It is an easy hike offering sumptuous landscapes and, if you are lucky, like I was this time around 1 p.m., you may see eagles.

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eeboulot
eeboulot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with spectacular views of the Alps and the Vercors. The route is very well maintained and the trail is well marked. No particular difficulties. Please note: apart from a short climb in the forest at the start (~30 mins) and the last hour, there is no shade on the route. In summer, it is advisable to start early and take water with you!
Thank you to everyone who takes such good care of these trails!

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PEYRIN
PEYRIN

Hello
Sorry, I haven't redone the Ambel tray recently. Kind regards.

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vincent agnes
vincent agnes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a great hike, easy to do from the Gardiol car park.
The scenery is splendid, it's a magnificent plateau.
One downside is that there was a strong, cold north wind, so don't forget to pack a windbreaker and a fleece!
We'll have some great memories of this trip!

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chguilleminot
chguilleminot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike but very little shade

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imagineve
imagineve

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description is entirely accurate. Magnificent landscapes and views.

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hêtre07
hêtre07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in ideal weather: sunshine and a light breeze. Magnificent views. We set off at 8:15 a.m. when it was barely 15 degrees and finished at 2 p.m. when it was over 30 degrees. The Col de la Bataille road is open again.

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voiron20
voiron20

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely weekday hike (from the Gardiol refuge) as the Col de la Bataille road is still closed for repairs. Beautiful meadows and views despite strong winds.

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26

It is currently not possible to access Gardiol via Léoncel and the Col de la Bataille, as the road is closed at the pass for roadworks, which are expected to last until 28 June. Parking can be difficult when it is busy (around a hundred cars last weekend). It is possible to rejoin the route via the flat path that leaves from the Col de la Bataille via the Pas du Gouillat. Alternatively, Gardiol can be accessed by car via Lente/Le Pionnier.

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PEYRIN
PEYRIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route, very pleasant, lovely family walk.

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chris.bea
chris.bea

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

stunning scenery

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