Les Demoiselles Coiffées from Théus

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The best route for spotting the Théus damselflies! The ‘classic’ trail up the Vallauria stream allows you to get a good close-up view of the damselflies. The return route via the heights of Le Plan and then through the Serre Giraud forest offers some panoramic views, whilst avoiding too much tarmac, which can be a bit of a slog on the way back in the sun. It’s best to go in the early morning or evening so the light isn’t too harsh, making it easier to see the ‘demoiselles’.

Regarding the private property between points 3 and 4 (Le Plan farm, near the 1322m mark), the path is clearly marked on the IGN map (red dotted line), so I think it is possible to walk through provided you stick to the path and respect the owner and their crops (discretion). Avoid this route with vehicles, of course!

Finally, at point 5 (Serre Giraud), I can confirm that you need to walk past the house and turn left into the field towards the trees to reach a picturesque path surrounded by vegetation (a yellow mark on a rock in the grass just before the trees)!

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Date of your route : Apr 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route needs reviewing, as following it would require crossing private property (there is a closed gate blocking a forest track between points 3 and 4, near the 1322-metre mark). This is bound to give hikers a bad name!

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Date of your route : Oct 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but you do need to be a little more careful at point 5.
Note that there is a private property sign, but this did not stop us.
We ended the hike with a visit to the small village of Théus, dear to Giono.

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

Very pretty, well-marked trail with a few tricky sections on the descent where you need to be sure-footed 😁

I recommend it for experienced hikers.

Thank you for this route.

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

We did this route in early April 2025. It is very interesting. Ideal for hairdressers, as there are many ladies' heads to style. One thing to note: depending on your fitness level, you can choose between Théus (more elevation gain) or Rémollon, the neighbouring village. The few ladies in the latter village are easy to access.
At point 5 in Serre Giraud, the house is a good landmark for turning left. At this point, earthworks have erased the junction between the path and the trail. The trail can be found a little further on

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Date of your route : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, peaceful hike. Stunning views of Les Demoiselles Coiffées and then the Durance valley. A varied route.
However, the route back via Serre Giraud (after Point 5) needs to be changed: we couldn't find the trail markers anymore, probably because they had been removed by the farmer (tree planting and field). The suggested route requires crossing an unmowed field, which we don't like to do! So we turned back and took the track that goes around the woods and passes by the Noutaret house. At the next big hairpin bend, we spotted the suggested path downhill, coming from the right... Route to be done perhaps in reverse to see where the path leads in the Serre Giraud meadow?

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Date of your route : Apr 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this route in early April 2025. It is very interesting. Ideal for hairdressers, as there are many ladies' heads to style. One thing to note: depending on your fitness level, you can choose between Théus (more elevation gain) or Rémollon, the neighbouring village. The few ladies in the latter village are easy to access.

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Date of your route : Nov 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular route alternating between passages through the stream valley, viewpoints and return along the balcony path.

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Date of your route : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike for experienced hikers due to the significant elevation gain on the way there

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Date of your route : Sep 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike but significant elevation gain on the way there for experienced and seasoned hikers

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Arrival on the road to the viewpoint was straightforward, but the signage for the return journey was unclear. You have to go back up, then in the bend there is no signage and there is a private property sign.
But it was a very beautiful hike and we didn't meet anyone

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Date of your route : Apr 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you!

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Date of your route : Aug 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For your information, regarding point 3, it is still possible to go to the picnic area, but access to the field is no longer possible. Despite the clear signage, the path is clearly prohibited by the local farmer. We made the round trip.

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Date of your route : May 10, 2015
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 2015 with an ascent of Mont Colombis, followed by a visit to the Demoiselles Coiffées.
I made a video that shows these waterfalls and describes the atmosphere of our trip.
it's here https://youtu.be/JHLz8KXJIiA

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Date of your route : Sep 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular route starting from the car park in Theus. The climb is steep all the way along the stream, but the view of the rock chimneys is well worth the effort, with plenty of benches to sit on and admire them. The return to the village is along a road that reveals a wild, rural and unspoilt landscape dotted with a few farms. The views over the valley are magnificent.

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