Bouvante – 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

35638143
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.01 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 791 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 787 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,105 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,564 ft

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 : mi 0 - alt. 4,629 ft - Between the restaurant and the holiday centre
  2. 1 : mi 0.31 - alt. 4,570 ft - Crossroads
  3. 2 : mi 0.71 - alt. 4,715 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.14 - alt. 4,741 ft - Hotel and restaurant
  5. 4 : mi 1.51 - alt. 4,902 ft - Junction. Return via the Porte d’Urle
  6. 5 : mi 1.57 - alt. 4,944 ft - Port d’Urle
  7. 6 : mi 2.96 - alt. 4,984 ft - Fork in the path
  8. 7 : mi 3.48 - alt. 5,098 ft - Pas du Follet
  9. 8 : mi 3.87 - alt. 5,092 ft - Junction. GR93
  10. 9 : mi 4.16 - alt. 5,010 ft - Junction. GR93
  11. 10 : mi 5.13 - alt. 4,911 ft - Junction
  12. 11 : mi 5.41 - alt. 4,793 ft - Junction. Road
  13. S/E : mi 6.01 - alt. 4,629 ft - 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 33 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
vincenmarino
vincenmarino

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk in unspoilt countryside

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User 24607567

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is as described.

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totolitoto
totolitoto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the circular route, setting off from the memorial car park and returning via the GR to avoid the road. There’s no real need to go via the karstic cave...

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User 9064642

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk that’s very easy to access.

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frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr
frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stunning scenery as you walk along the ridge
You can continue along the ridge path at point 6 and rejoin the main route before point 7 to enjoy the views
A walk with no difficulty whatsoever

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User 2201104

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route in stunning surroundings.
The view from the ridges is superb.
It’s fairly easy and accessible, even with children.

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User 17172644

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely view

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FrancoisAnnie30
FrancoisAnnie30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely, very easy walk

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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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