Four villages on the left bank of the Doria Ripaira

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For a tour of four typical villages, this is a very shaded route that will delight young and old alike.

Details

n°38156622
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 509 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 510 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,648 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,148 m
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Photos

Soubras

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park beside the Doria Ripaira at the Amazas crossroads.

(S/E) Take the tarmac road to reach thefirst village, Amazas.

(1) Leave the road here and take the path on the left that cuts across the bends in the road. Continue along this path and, via a series of wide bends, reach the Chapel of San Barnaba.

(2) Continue along a flat section to reach thesecond village, Soubras.

(3) Cross the village, then take the right-hand path uphill and follow the track beyond it to reach thethird village, Vazon.

(4) Continue on almost flat ground, then slightly downhill, until you reach a crossroads of paths.

(5) Turn right onto the path on the right and finish with a descent to reach thefourth village, Pierremenaud.

(6) Here, take the path on the right leading downhill, signposted Amazas, and follow a very pleasant path through the woodland to reach Amazas.

(1) Turn left and head back along the tarmac road to return to the car park on the banks of the Doria Ripaira (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,149 m - Doria Ripaira car park
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 1,184 m - Amazas
  3. 2 : km 1.42 - alt. 1,473 m - San Barnaba Chapel
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 1,493 m - Soubras
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 1,648 m - Vazon
  6. 5 : km 4.07 - alt. 1,545 m - Trail junction
  7. 6 : km 4.69 - alt. 1,447 m - Pierremenaud
  8. S/E : km 7.35 - alt. 1,148 m - Doria Ripaira car park

Notes

There is plenty of water along this route at the fountains of Amazas, Soubras, Vazon and Pierremenaud.

Worth a visit

Take in the magnificent murals and photos adorning the walls and fountains in the villages.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Lilaska
Lilaska

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I've done this route several times in different seasons and it's always beautiful. However, at the start from Amazas towards Soubras, stay on the main path for one or two bends as the small path is very rutted.

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jp11
jp11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Beautiful hike. The first part of D to 2, along an uphill trail, has been badly damaged by recent storms. The villages are jewels adorned with flowers and decorated with popular artwork (except Vazon). But in Vazon, you can eat and drink at the refuge. Otherwise, there are picnic tables by the fountain. The people we met were very talkative (in French!)

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MarPel
MarPel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A relatively easy and pleasant walk, with very pretty, well-maintained and decorated hamlets, and beautiful views. The signposting, however, is rather basic.

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Chris3084
Chris3084

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As is often the case in Italy, the villages are very well maintained. What’s more, along this walk, numerous murals adorn the walls of the houses, bringing the past to life. Apart from the Chapel of San Barnaba, which was closed when we visited, others remain open: San Rocco in Soubras, San Antonio in Pierremenaud…
Figurines and other decorations also adorn the exteriors.
There are few parking spaces at the start of the walk. Don’t hesitate to drive on towards Amazas, where there are a few recesses where you can park

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