Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoluy walks

This hike is a classic. It will first take you over modest heights offering beautiful panoramic views of the Dévoluy valley and its mountain backdrop, then through a small but nonetheless spectacular gorge, all around the pretty village of Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoly.

The route starts off steeply from Les Cypières, after which the walk presents no particular difficulties.

This pleasant circular route starting from the Superdévoluy resort is ideal for a family outing. It offers beautiful panoramic views throughout the route. Halfway along, a designated viewing point provides a chance to admire the Gorges des Étroits, the village of Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoluy and the Faraut mountain. Short, easy and accessible to all-terrain pushchairs, it follows wide paths with no technical difficulties (apart from the optional climb to the summit of Le Puy). The route is also well-suited to those new to mountain biking, thanks to its gentle gradient and smooth terrain. In winter, it also makes for a pleasant snowshoe walk, snow conditions permitting.

A walk that takes you through the forests of the Dévoluy, past sheepfolds and flocks, then up along the local stream.

Sometimes you don’t need to climb very high to gain altitude: the Crête des Baumes, which overlooks the resorts of Super-Dévoluy and La Joue du Loup, offers 360° views across the whole of the Dévoluy and its mountainous ramparts. This is a short walk perfect for a rest day, for example, between two longer hikes.

A good walk to warm up or test your fitness. It takes you past some of the Dévoluy’s sights: the ruins of Malmort, the Puy des Bans, climbing and via ferrata sites, and the Giant Cairn. No particular difficulties, apart from a tricky section with a handrail and small footbridges – which are optional – to access and exit the Puy des Bans and head back up towards a small pass.

A good hike to warm up or test your limits. It takes you past a few points of interest and hamlets in the Dévoluy: Puits des Bans, Le Collet, Le Courtil… No particular difficulties, apart from a tricky section with a handrail and small footbridges – which are optional – to access and exit the Puits des Bans and begin the climb up to Le Collet.

An easy loop starting from a village in Dévoluy, Le Courtil. This loop can be done in the other direction (which I prefer...), offering a beautiful view of the Pic de Bure.

End of June 2025: A few changes!!! The GR® route between Le Barry and La Bergerie is currently being modified… it’s “more or less” marked out, on the right bank of the (dry) stream, but not signposted.Before La Bergerie, at the wooden post, where there are no markings, take the small path leading off to the right. It has been cleared, with the low branches cut back, but it is not (yet) signposted. It runs close to the road and goes round La Bergerie and the sheep pens. When you reach the road, another post marks a path that climbs to the left and joins the GR®, below the Col de la Saume. A beautiful pyramid that can be spotted from afar.A long walk, without any real difficulty, offering plenty of variety: water, woodland, mountain pastures and herds, a small summit, villages – something to delight everyone. Panoramic views over the Champsaur, the Écrins and, of course, the Dévoluy.

Mainly along ridges and through woodland, this route offers breathtaking views of the Dévoluy. The valley and hamlets, the Pic de Bure and its plateau, the Obiou massif and the Montagne de Faraut, emerging at every bend, will take your breath away.

Pic de Bure, one of the three giants of Dévoluy, is technically the most accessible but includes a section with a cable. You will arrive in a lunar landscape, among the observatory's satellite dishes. In good weather, the view is extraordinary. There may be a few herds on the plateau. A more recent route also offers the option of starting from the Joue du Loup resort.

A short, easy walk, suitable for everyone, easily manageable with children as a circular route starting from Superdévoluy. Magnificent views of the Pic de Bure, the Montagne de Faraud and the Obiou.

This is a long circular loop that takes you along the two possible hiking routes on this side of the mountain. The difficulty is mainly due to the length. The elevation gain is also significant and some passages require great care (cables).

A hike accessible to all, from 7 to 77 years old! Without difficulty, it offers a breathtaking panorama of the Champsaur valley and its bocage. The Devoluard fauna can be abundant, for the enjoyment of young and old alike! The pass road is closed during winter (check for information).

A walk along the valley floor, at the foot of the Pic de Bure.Le Dévoluy is known for being dry; the vast majority of the water is underground and seeps away into the limestone massif! However, it does offer a few surprises, with waterfalls here and there providing a touch of coolness.This route, accessible to all and requiring no special equipment, first crosses the Bois Rond before heading towards the meadows and then descending through the woods along a clearly marked path, designated GRP® in 2026.

A beautiful hike that first winds through the Bois Rond before climbing up into the mountain pastures. Be warned, in good weather there will not be much shade. You will climb up to the source of the Souloise. Please respect the peace and quiet of the herds and shepherds.

An 8-shaped loop that will take you through the Bois Rond before exploring two valleys and approaching the Pic de Bure rock face. You will have completed the Crête d'Âne loop.

A unique route to the Bure Plateau through the geological features of the Dévoluy massif. This alpine hike offers an unusual route through the Coste Belle Caves, before following the ridges.La Baume Noire adds a highlight to the return route through the Vallon de Corne. This hike is reserved for experienced mountain walkers with a keen sense of direction.

Three pretty valleys to visit, two passes to cross (without difficulty) and, as a bonus, a breathtaking view of the Pic de Bure cliff. You will encounter sheep, marmots and chamois. Water in the pools!

Starting from La Joue du Loup, head for Les Crêtes de Baumes on an easy hike offering magnificent views of the Dévoluy range, the Gicon, the Farraut range and the Pic de Bure.

This is a circular walk with no real difficulties except for the steep climb between small pass du Tat and the summit of Crête des Baumes. You can enjoy magnificent scenery for almost the entire hike.

Starting from La Joue du Loup, this short route is ideal for little ones. As a circular route, it offers panoramic views of the Obiou massif and the Pic de Bure. If you’re patient and quiet, you can watch the marmots playing on the grassy slopes below the small pass of the Tat.

A short hike offering a breathtaking panorama (certainly the most beautiful) of the Pic de Bure and a chance to watch the herds and the marmots at play, much to the delight of young and old alike. The descent, whilst safe, is a little more challenging for tired little legs...

A very beautiful hike that will take you to the foot of the famous Pic de Bure cliff and the "Desmaison" climbing route. Superb view of the Dévoluy. Please note that due to the risk of rockfalls, a prefectural decree dated 14/06/2014 prohibits access to the foot of the Bure cliffs until further notice.

The ascent of the Crête de la Plane offers superb views of the Pic de Bure and the whole of Dévoluy. The first part of the hike, up to the Col de Rabou, follows theGRP® du Tour du Dévoluy, which is very well marked. After Col de Rabou, the route is no longer marked and is off-trail. There are no particular difficulties as you follow the ridge. However, good visibility and the ability to navigate with a map and compass are required.

A lovely ridge walk, largely off-trail and at times steep. The final section of the ascent to the pass takes place in an alpine setting, over uncertain terrain where you must find your own way as best you can, with no marked trail. You should only attempt this if you are well accustomed to steep, off-trail alpine terrain. Walking poles, or even an ice axe, may prove very useful.

Without ever gaining much altitude or tackling any significant elevation changes, this walk—which often takes you through woodland—offers, in its first section, a superb panoramic view of the Obiou range (from the Grand Ferrand to the Obiou).

A magnificent hike with the Dévoluy range as a backdrop and the formidable walls of Les Gillardes (René Demaison’s playground) in the foreground.

An exceptional view from the summit of Gicon!

This short hike takes you quickly to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Dévoluy, offering views of the entire syncline and the peaks of Vercors Nord, Chartreuse, Taillefer and Oisans. The view towards the turquoise Sautet Lake is spectacular and, with a bit of luck, a sea of clouds will add a romantic touch to the landscape. Grouse and chamois abound on the slopes of the Gicon and can be seen if you are discreet enough.

Easy hike up to the Col de l'Aup via the Queyras ravine, below the Montagne de Faraut.

A very beautiful, uncrowded walk leading to the splendid viewpoint at the Tête de l’Aupet and winding through two wild valleys where chamois and marmots seek refuge. The summit offers a spectacular view of its two higher neighbours, the Grand Ferrand and the Obiou, as well as the ridge connecting them and the neighbouring Vercors and Oisans mountain ranges. Please note: the route is mainly off-trail but does not present any navigation difficulties. See the ‘Practical information’ section.

Starting from the hamlets above St Disdier en Dévoluy, several large parallel valleys climb up towards the ridge connecting Grand Ferrand to Obiou. This hike takes you up to the Col du Douillet, just below the Petit Ferrand, via the Truchière valley, and back via the Narittes valley. As always in Dévoluy, the landscape is rocky, but the Truchière valley is quite grassy, while the Narittes valley is much more austere.

A hike with no significant difficulty, although it is a little steep in the upper section and mainly off-track. It ends at a curious little summit perched in the middle of the upper cirque to the south of the Tête de l’Aupet. It offers a superb view. Griffon vultures are often seen here.

A visit to the tunnel dug between 1913 and 1933 to search for water, overlooking the Gillardes resurgence, with spectacular scenery all along the walk!

A shaded path starting from the church at Saint-Disdier, which runs along the banks of the Souloise to the Puits des Bancs. After crossing the torrent via footbridges, part of the route is somewhat steep but secured by cables and rungs to reach the top of the gorges. A true natural gem in the heart of the Dévoluy, the luckiest visitors may spot brown trout and red-legged frogs, not to mention stunning views of the Dévoluy peaks.

The easiest route to explore the Bure massif in summer, ascending via the ski resort’s chairlifts (open one day a week in July and August only). The plateau offers a lunar landscape with the observatory’s satellite dishes, and in clear weather, the view from the Pic de Bure is extraordinary. The route is described here starting from La Joue du Loup, but there is a similar route starting from SuperDévoluy. Please note: this route is only accessible during the summer opening period of the ski lifts!

To round off the list of beautiful hikes in the Dévoluy, here is a circular route that takes us to the Tête de Lapras via the Crête des Samarroux. Then, you can choose either to climb Le Nid via the Col de Lapras or, still via the Col de Lapras, descend into the Vallon du Mas to reach the Baudinard hut. It is, of course, possible to shorten the route by simply hiking up the Vallon du Mas and back.