The Roc de Toulau and the Plateau d'Ambel with its karstic cave

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After a slightly steep but easy climb to Roc de Toulau, where the view is magnificent, we will reach the Plateau d'Ambel and its curious karstic cave des Quatre Gorges before climbing to the Tête de la Dame. Return via a good trail and then a wide path.

Details

n°12419992
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 776 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 776 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,578 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,197 m
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Photos

Ambel Plateau
Ambel Plateau
Karstic cave of the Four Gorges

Description of the walk

Park after the Col de la Bataille at the entrance to the path leading to the Plateau d'Ambel.

(S/E) Immediately take the path on the left, which climbs steeply to reach the Roc de Toulau plateau and its summit.

(1) Descend via the path that enters the forest to the Col de Toulau.

(2) Descend into the valley on the left, then through the woods, to reach the Ferme d'Ambel and theGR® 93.
You can also take the easier route via the Pas du Gouillat to reach the Ferme d'Ambel.

(3) Follow theGR® eastwards to reach the Refuge de Tubanet.

(4) Take the path heading south that passes near the Scialet des Quatre Gorges, located to the right of the track and surrounded by wire fencing. You can climb down inside.

(5) Continue along the path that will take you back up to the ridge near the sheepfold of Saint-Julien-en-Quint.

(6) Take the path on the right on the ridge that leads to the Tête de la Dame (altitude 1506).

(7) Descend northwards to join a path at Pas du Gouillat.

(8) Take it north to reach the road and car park in 30 minutes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,313 m - Car park - Col de la Bataille
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 1,578 m - Roc de Toulau
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 1,357 m - Col du Toulau (1387m)
  4. 3 : km 2.53 - alt. 1,219 m - Refuge d'Ambel
  5. 4 : km 5.51 - alt. 1,328 m - Refuge de Tubanet
  6. 5 : km 6.57 - alt. 1,325 m - Karstic cave of the Four Gorges
  7. 6 : km 8.44 - alt. 1,406 m - The Sheep
  8. 7 : km 10.58 - alt. 1,500 m - Tête de la Dame (1506m)
  9. 8 : km 13.41 - alt. 1,323 m - Pas de Gouillat
  10. S/E : km 15.75 - alt. 1,313 m - Car park - Col de la Bataille

Notes

Water at the refuges.
(4) You can stay overnight at the Refuge du Tubanet, which has been renovated.

Worth a visit

The Ombleze Gorges with its waterfalls and the Gueulards canyon (see website)

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 27571709

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Moderately difficult hike with regular shaded sections up to the Tubanet refuge. Only the distance to be covered may present an obstacle. This is a fairly busy route, especially as you approach the Tête de la Dame and the Pas du Gouillat. Finally, access to the karstic cave of the 4 Gorges is prohibited due to the installation of a fence and signs warning of the risk of rockfalls.

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François Mist
François Mist

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

From the Col de la Bataille, the climb up to Roc de Toulau early in the morning offers a beautiful view of the Vercors mountains, reminiscent of a Japanese print.
A short stop at the karstic cave des Quatre Trous is well worth the detour.

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PATOCHEDAHU
PATOCHEDAHU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great, after my tenth visit to the plateau, it's still as good as ever, and well done to the Drome department for refurbishing the three refuges, which are really comfortable!
Unfortunately, Visorando should warn people not to go to the karstic cave because lots of people climb over the barriers and go inside! Today, the Ecogardes were there on horseback.
Nothing to say about the rest.

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Nat98
Nat98
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I think it would be best to point out that the climb up Roc de Toulau is very steep, so you definitely shouldn't be prone to vertigo, and in strong winds it can also be a bit dangerous.
But once you reach the top, the view is absolutely sublime, with the Sausse rocks right in front of you. The adventure continues with the magnificent Ambel plateau. At point 6, I recommend walking along the cliffs on the left, where you can admire the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see, with the 3 peaks in the distance.
The route takes 4½ hours, not including a snack break.
A great hike to do only in good weather.

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bruno92160
bruno92160

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

A very beautiful route, although there are a few flocks of sheep and therefore sheepdogs on the Toulau rock in July.

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Joel Auray
Joel Auray

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike, perfect description, breathtaking views, only to be done in good weather, significant elevation gain but well distributed throughout the hike.

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DELTAP
DELTAP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and varied hike, beneath rocky outcrops, through the forest and then across the plateau to reach the Tête de la Dame. Encounter with marmots.

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delfyne02
delfyne02

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, hike completed on Sunday, 15 May 2022.
The weather was ideal, and there were lots of people.
For those who do not wish to take the "steep climb" up Roc de Toulaud, it is possible to go to point 8 and then return to point 2.
Dogs are not allowed from 1 June onwards, but I will return with my border collie in the autumn.

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chapo69
chapo69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery of the Ambel plateau and its unmanned but high-quality mountain huts.
It makes you want to return in autumn for the colours and in winter for a snowshoe hike on the Ambel plateau with an overnight stay in the Tubanet mountain hut
Thanks to Visorando for these guides and discoveries.

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EtienneF38
EtienneF38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It must be a magnificent hike, but on that day, with clouds and wind strong enough to knock us over, it was difficult to stay positive. We gave up on Toulau Rock, fought our way around the plateau against the wind, freezing cold, took the time to admire the Quatre-Gorges karstic cave, and finally enjoyed the comfort of the beautiful Tubanet refuge. The return trip through the forest is pleasant. We'll do it again in better conditions, keeping in mind that this plateau, like Font d'Urle, is particularly exposed to the wind.

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