The Archier and Maraysse Mountains

Access: in Rosans, head up through the historic centre via the D25 or D325.
Park on the Place de la Fontaine (post office) near the church.

(S/E) From the fountain, head up the street to the left of the church towards the fire station, following the yellow and red/yellow markings (visible on the lamppost at the left-hand corner).
At marker no. 210, turn right towards “La Fromagère” and “Le Chemin du Facteur”. Follow the small tarmac road uphill, following the yellow markings.

(1) At the fork in the road, turn right towards “Le sommet du Fourchat”. The path is a single track that climbs steeply, well signposted all the way. You’ll soon reach the cross on the right-hand side of the path.

(2) Cut across the track by continuing straight ahead. At the edge of the woodland, there is a slight levelling-off before the slope becomes steeper again.
Ignore the only turn-off to the left and then to the right, continuing along the path, which is regularly marked with yellow signs.

(3) On a flat section a few metres long, turn right onto the path to quickly reach a track.
At the junction with the track, by the wooden sign, turn right towards “sommet du Fourchat”. Head uphill along the track until you come out onto a small clearing at the end of the track. No markings.

(4) At the far left-hand side of the small clearing, take the path leading uphill. Yellow markings.
Continue climbing, crossing a series of smooth limestone slabs, until you reach the summit of Fourchat and its small wooden cross.

(5) Continue along the visible single track that runs along the ridges heading north-east. No signposting.
Carry on along the ridges of the Montagne de l’Archier until you reach a change in direction. The ridges veer slightly south-east. You are now in the ‘U’.

(6) At this point, head south-east to descend towards the track visible below.
At the start of the descent, you’ll cross some small gravel pits, then a pasture.

(7) On the track, turn left. Ignore the turn-off to the left after about 250 metres and continue to the right, heading down the track to reach the Ferme de l’Essaillon.

(8) At the junction by the Essaillon farm, turn left onto the^GR®91, marked with white and red signs. Head back up the track. There may be a fence here; go over it and then continue left on the^GR®91(the path branching off to the right is not shown on maps).

(9) Continue along the track, following the mountain bike markings (triangle with two orange dots). Leave the^GR®91, which branches off onto a small path climbing to the left. Continue following the mountain bike markings to the Aire du Col.

(10) At the Aire du Col, turn left, following the mountain bike signposting. If necessary, climb over the fence to enter the pasture and, after 150m, join the^GR®91.

(11) The GR®91 then branches off the track onto a narrow path. Continue along the^GR®91.
Leave the pasture (you’ll need to climb over a fence) whilst continuing on the^GR®91. White/red markings.

(12) At marker no. 170, head straight on towards “Ribeyret”, following the orange mountain-bike markings. You’ll find yourself on a narrow path.

(13) At the Col des Alongs (crossroads of tracks), turn left onto the track suitable for vehicles.

(14) After 350m, at the Fork in the road, take the wide, grassy track on the left, which climbs slightly at the start.
You may need to climb over a fence to enter the meadow. Follow this track across the meadow. There are no signposts.

(15) At the edge of the meadow, turn left and head uphill along the track suitable for vehicles.
Ignore the turn-offs to the right and then to the left, staying on the track suitable for vehicles. Continue until you reach La Farelle (a small, isolated cottage).
100m past La Farelle, ignore the turn-off to the left and carry on straight ahead along the track.

(16) Leave the track by taking the path opposite (a short stretch through the woodland) and carry on straight on towards the Col des Casset (1,242 m). Yellow markings.

(17) At the Col des Casset (picnic table), turn left towards the ridges (west).
Yellow markings are clearly visible on the ground. Follow these markings carefully to reach the summit of Maraysse, marked by a fine iron cross.

(18) At the summit, continue along the steep gully to descend to the other side. At the foot of the gully, the well-marked and signposted path continues beneath the cliff.
Carry on along this narrow path on the northern slope of Maraysse until you emerge into a small clearing.
The path continues to the right (entrance at the edge of the forest). Follow this path as it winds down through the forest, generally heading north.

(19) At the 1,305m mark (there is a flat section here), turn left onto the unmarked path, which is clearly visible at its start.
Follow this path, which becomes a narrow, barely marked track running almost along the contour line for about 1.2 km (south-west).

(20) When you come to the^GR®91(at the end of the track, a small cairn is visible), turn left onto it and climb up to the Col des Pins at an altitude of 1,325 metres. White/red markings.
The Col des Pins opens out onto a lovely clearing. Follow the^GR®91down a path that is a little steep to begin with.

(12) At the next junction, at marker no. 170, turn right towards Rosans.
Follow the^GR®91back along the same route to return to the Aire du Col. Enter and cross the pasture again.

(11) Stay on the^GR®91and do not continue left onto the wide track as you did on the way there (incorrect route shown on the map).

(9) Continue along the^GR®91, which runs alongside the pasture on the descent. Carry on along the^GR®91until you reach the junction before the Essaillon farm.

(8) Walk on to the Essaillon farm, cross through it and continue to the right, following the^GR®91along a track suitable for vehicles. Cross the pasture and continue on the^GR®91to the Col de l’Archimbaou.

(21) Take the old forest track no. B301 straight ahead. There are no signposts. After about 500m, the grassy forest track turns into a footpath.

(22) At the fork in the road, continue along the path on the left. After 700m, the path leads onto a wide track suitable for vehicles. Head downwards, turning right onto this track.

(23) At marker no. 219, leave the wide track. Turn left towards Rosans. Yellow markings.
The path is a single track, clearly signposted, which descends all the way. Follow the yellow markings throughout the descent. The village of Rosans is visible below to the west.

The trail, which has been recently constructed, goes round a fenced-off meadow (the route differs from the map). At the bottom of the descent, the trail comes out at a crossroads.

(24) Turn left onto the track, which descends again. Then head towards the village centre by following the D25 uphill to reach the Place de la Fontaine (S/E).

There are no water sources along the entire route.

The route crosses pastures where mountain sheepdogs are present; dogs are therefore not permitted.

Before reaching Le Fourchat, you’ll need to cross smooth limestone slabs, which can be tricky in wet weather.
You’ll be walking along the edge of a cliff.

Access to and the traverse of the Maraysse ridges are relatively exposed and require you to use your hands in places. Not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

Best undertaken in dry weather.

Highest point at 1,571 m (Le Fourchat).

The summits are exposed and therefore subject to strong winds. Ensure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.

The fortified village of Rosans, centred around its Romanesque tower and 12th-century castle, as well as a Napoleonic fountain… all waiting to be discovered on a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the historic village.