La Cériège refuge from La Douane

de fr

A shaded hike along a mountain path forming part of the transhumance routes (“La Routo”), in a valley that has returned to its wild state between La Javie and Saint-Pierre de Beaujeu. A walk through varied wooded areas where you’ll encounter fascinating wildlife (in spring: orchids including the bee orchid), a visit to a hamlet, now uninhabited, with a basic but always open refuge.

Details

n°21005655
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.03 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,079 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,079 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,829 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,749 ft
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Photos

The refuge

Description of the walk

Start from Champ de la Douane (small car park on the D107 road between La Javie and Prads).

(S/E) With your back to the Bléone, head straight ahead and follow a large meadow (often home to donkeys) on your left. Climb up the valley along a shaded path and cross several streams.

(1) Follow the old mule track which climbs up the ridge between the Ravin de la Douane and the Ravin du Grand Vallon. Climb in zigzags up to the ridge, pass two sections of loose scree (easy) then veer left along the slope of the Montagne de Trécouleboeuf.

(2) Pass the ruins of La Basse Cériège and reach the next fork.

(3) Turn left and continue through the woodland to the hamlet and the Cériège refuge.

(4) The view is splendid, the surroundings peaceful; trees clothe the ruins and the vegetation tells the story of the place.
Return to the Douane car park on the banks of the Bléone by following the route back in reverse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,749 ft - La Douane - Bléone (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.43 - alt. 2,867 ft - Confluence of the torrents
  3. 2 : mi 1.25 - alt. 3,471 ft - La Basse Cériège
  4. 3 : mi 1.7 - alt. 3,753 ft - Junction, turn left
  5. 4 : mi 2.01 - alt. 3,780 ft - Ruined hamlet and La Cériège refuge
  6. S/E : mi 4.03 - alt. 2,749 ft - La Douane

Notes

Livestock may be present: dogs not allowed.

Crossing of several streams; outside the dry season, wear suitable footwear.

Yellow-marked trail (PR®), wide but partly damaged by mountain bikes.

Do not rely on the La Cériège spring, which is often dry; bring water.

Worth a visit

- La Douane is situated on the border between the communes of La Javie and Prads Haute Bléone; its etymology is unknown, but is it a sign of an ancient desire for autonomy in the upper valley?

- A small wayside cross before reaching La Cériège.

- Cériège means ‘cherry orchard’; indeed, there are cherry trees at La Cériège, as there are at Basse Cériège.

- From (4), you can climb up to the nearby pass, but there is no view.

- From (3), you can descend to Champourcin (the path on the right as you climb), but the end of the descent is quite steep.

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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
User 2620088

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There's no problem following the trail up to the refuge. At the end of October, I didn't meet anyone, but I think that even in summer, it's not very busy. However, the refuge is a little gem of calm and beauty that's not too difficult to reach. It's really peaceful up there, and I'd love to go back for a picnic because the setting is truly beautiful and relaxing.

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Agnès Digne
Agnès Digne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent trail through a lovely, rather magical forest.
And a lovely surprise on arriving at this ruined hamlet and the Cériège refuge, where we’d happily stay the night.
Check whether, in summer, the herds are guarded by dogs... Be careful!

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Stef04
Stef04
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk to discover this little haven of peace.
At the start, just beyond the field, you’ll need to cross the little stream several times to reach the path on the other bank. The tall grass may obscure the path, but there are enough markings to ensure you don’t get lost.

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Thabor
Thabor

Overall rating : 1 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

IMPASSABLE. Sorry to be blunt, but after 700 metres, following a particularly tricky stretch through a stream (yes, I did mean ‘through’), the path shown on the map disappears into the grass.
We looked carefully, couldn’t find another way through, and turned back.
I’d hate to unfairly write this hike off, of course, but if it’s not being maintained, what can we do?
If anyone brave enough wants to check it out and prove me wrong, I’d be delighted. I really don’t like to criticise unfairly.

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Crapet
Crapet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for a really nice walk, with some lovely views at the end.
Apparently, the refuge is no longer accessible (the path is blocked), but we managed to get round the obstacle!

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