The ridges of Font d'Urle

A relatively easy short hike on the Font d'Urle plateau. Magnificent scenery on the Ambel plateau, the Quint valley, the Trois Becs, the Glandasse, the Vercors mountain range and the whole of southern Drôme.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.68 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 241 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 240 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,556 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,391 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Chaud Clapier in the car park next to the bar-restaurant along the D76.

(S/E) Set off between the bar-restaurant and the holiday village, on the ski slopes, heading south-west then west. You will arrive at the lowest point, a crossroads.

(1) Take the path uphill on the left to the next crossroads.

(2) Continue to the right, then turn left. The path descends to a road in the village of Font d'Urle. Follow it straight ahead, then turn right and left to reach the hotel-restaurant.

(3) Take the path opposite, heading south towards Porte d'Urle.

(4) At the top of the climb, continue to Porte d'Urle for a magnificent view.

(5) Retrace your steps.

(4) Take the hairpin path on the right that follows the ridge line. Be careful to stay on the path, as there are quite a few animals grazing on the plateau. Reach the hollow of the path, near Baume Rousse.

(6) Take the path that veers slightly to the right and leads across the meadows to Pas du Follet.

(7) Continue north-east until you reach the GR®93.

(8) Follow it to the left, northwards, until you reach Pot de la Croix.

(9) Do not descend into the valley but take the GR® opposite, which climbs slightly. After about two kilometres, you will reach a fork.

(10) Leave the GR® and take the path on the right towards the D76b, the access road to the village of Font d'Urle.

(11) Turn right and follow the road for about 200 metres to reach the terminus of the Chaud Clapier ski lift. Turn left onto the ski slope heading north, which passes in front of the ski patrollers' workshops at the back of the family house and goes back up to the road at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,411 m - Between the restaurant and the holiday centre
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 1,393 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,437 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 1.83 - alt. 1,445 m - Hotel-restaurant
  5. 4 : km 2.44 - alt. 1,494 m - Fork in the road. Return trip to Porte d'Urle.
  6. 5 : km 2.53 - alt. 1,507 m - Port d'Urle
  7. 6 : km 4.76 - alt. 1,519 m - Fork
  8. 7 : km 5.59 - alt. 1,554 m - Pas du Follet
  9. 8 : km 6.22 - alt. 1,552 m - Fork in the road. GR93
  10. 9 : km 6.69 - alt. 1,527 m - Fork in the road. GR93
  11. 10 : km 8.25 - alt. 1,497 m - Fork
  12. 11 : km 8.7 - alt. 1,461 m - Fork in the road. Road
  13. S/E : km 9.68 - alt. 1,411 m - Between the restaurant and the holiday centre

Notes

There is a lot of livestock (sheep, horses, cows) on the plateau: make sure you close the gates behind you.
For those with the right equipment, take the GPX track as there are many paths on the plateau.

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 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Wall-E
Wall-E

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Nothing more to add to what has already been said: a wonderful hike in a sublime setting.
And thank you to alnobal07

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User 3679609

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike. Magnificent weather. We set off from Chaud Clapier to add a few extra kilometres. Herds of sheep and lots of horses. A very accessible route. Pure bliss!
And breathtaking views of the Vercors mountain range, including the Grand Veymont

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Eden Blache
Eden Blache

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike. The view from the ridges is sublime. The plateau is deserted, with only cows and horses. Best done on a clear day, but I recommend it without hesitation

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User 3679609

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 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 route. Extraordinary views of the Vercors mountain range. Herds of horses, cows and sheep. Suitable for families. Easy, but children must be supervised due to the cliffs.
A highly recommended route

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Bebert73
Bebert73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, no major difficulties, do not get too close to the ridges.
A splendid panorama and magnificent horses along the route.
A very friendly eco-guard who also provides reassurance with his presence.

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69729902
69729902

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A great hike.

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User 3679609

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that we recommend. Easy level.

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frolland66
frolland66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk.
It took me less than 2½ hours, and I don't walk very quickly.
The elevation gain is very gradual, so the walk is very accessible.
It's a lovely walk with beautiful views
Dog owners should note that dogs are not allowed from 1 June to 31 October.

At the Font d'Urle station, the Cairn restaurant is a good place to eat if you haven't brought a picnic with you.

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randonnée2607
randonnée2607

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

Magnificent 360° view of the Omblèze valley.
Refreshments available in the Font d'Urle car park: a little extra

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nivolet
nivolet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent landscapes. I highly recommend it.

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Claude 13720
Claude 13720

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, but be warned: there isn't a single tree, so take care in the heat!

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Eric04
Eric04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy walk with beautiful views of the Diois region and the Alps, despite the foggy weather caused by smoke from the fires in Canada (apparently!).
We extended the walk from point 9 to the Pelouses de la Croix and then returned to the starting point.
Lots of flowers and no herds of Patou dogs...
Thanks for the guide!

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Nine la randonneuse
Nine la randonneuse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The best hike we've done in the area! The meadows and cliff edges are full of flowers at this time of year, and the trail isn't very busy yet. What a view, it was pure bliss.
However, this circular walk can start and finish in the village of Font d'Urle, where you can park your car, as the rest of the route isn't particularly interesting and the start is a bit chaotic in the middle of the ski lifts.

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ebrenas
ebrenas

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

A magnificent and easy walk on the plateaus above Font d'Urle. You can start from the hamlet of Font d'Urle, as crossing the resort, especially on the way back, is not particularly interesting.

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JFObama
JFObama

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike among flowers and snowfields. No one else there that day and no dogs.
The start and finish could be from Font d'Urle, as crossing the ski slopes and ski lifts of the small resort downstream is not particularly interesting.

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