Country:
City:
Car access: Les Ducs car park in Rochefort-Samson.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the tarmac road north-west and pass through the small hamlet of Les Ducs. At the end of the hamlet, take the bend to the left and then take the track on the right, into the field.
(1) The entrance to the marked trail is signposted on the right. It descends into the forest and joins the small tarmac road further down. Follow this road, still heading north-west, to the Combe d’Oyans campsite.
(2) Pass to the left of the campsite and take the yellow-marked path (PR®) on the left, which climbs quite steeply up a small ravine, then turns right along a long fence.
(3) At the top of this steep climb, turn right onto a level path which joins a wide track leading directly from the Gorges de Combe d'Oyans.
(4) Follow this wide, stony path to the left for about 50 m. Warning: without a GPS, this section through the forest is not straightforward. Several paths not shown on the IGN map can be misleading! Then find a small, unmarked path that heads off to the right, climbing upwards, and, about fifty metres further on, turn right onto another small, unmarked path, less frequently used, which starts off level before gradually rising to reach a beautiful terrace with a viewpoint just above the Gorges de Combe d'Oyans. You will then pass easily beneath a small cliff and eventually emerge onto the rocky ridge of Montagne de Morettet, where the view is unobstructed all the way to the summit. Follow this ridge over very easy rocks, with no vertiginous sections.
(5) Turn sharply left towards the north-east and reach the summit of Montagne de Morettet, at an altitude of 832 m: beautiful views over the Vercors and the plain (Romans, Valence, etc.).
(6) Descend until you reach the PR® trail. From there, all the paths are signposted.
(7) Turn right and easily reach the Col de Sonnaize shelter. Continue towards the Pas de Loup and the Grotte des Ussets.
(8) Continue left towards the Col des Tourniers along a good path that winds up and down a bit. Strangely, this pass is not named on the IGN map.
(9) Follow the PR® opposite towards the Pas de la Pierre. After about 300 m, look out for a fence at the edge of the woods with a gap for walkers.
(10) Then climb through the woods; it is a very, very steep ascent with an 80-metre elevation gain. You’ll emerge into a meadow; continue to the right to reach the top of this meadow, which marks the end of the difficult section and makes an excellent spot for a picnic, with a view. Head to the Font Pourcel spring. It doesn’t flow; it’s a small man-made pool where the water is cool but certainly not drinkable.
(11) Opposite the spring, a signposted path leads easily back to the gate.
(10) Turn left to return to the Col des Tourniers.
(9) Walk down a few metres and take the signposted path to the right. Caution: do not go straight on, as this is a private road with a ‘no entry’ sign. Then follow the easy PR® path to the junction with the path leading directly to the Pas du Loup.
(12) Head straight on, staying on the PR® path, until you reach the hamlet of Les Combes, where you’ll come out onto a small tarmac road.
(13) Follow this road uphill to the right and continue to the Col (529 m). The more adventurous can visit the ruins of Rochefort Castle on the left (marked and signposted), but this involves an additional 100 m climb. Continue along the road for about 200 m.
(14) Take the small signposted path on the right, with a small gate. Follow it and you’ll easily reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Tourism professional
