Summit of La Cavale from Oris-en-Rattier

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The Sommet de la Cavale does not claim to be on a par with its imposing neighbour, Le Coiro, which is 460 m higher. However, it remains a worthwhile destination, both for its wild and airy setting and for the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
The fairly sustained climb up this long ridge is richly rewarded by the magnificent viewpoint offered by the summit, which provides breathtaking views of the Valbonnais, Dévoluy, Matheysine and Vercors massifs and the high peaks of the Écrins.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,135 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,135 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,127 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 992 m
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Photos

Le Coiro seen from the summit of La Cavale
The summit of La Cavale
Pretty bouquet
The Petite Côte ridge

Description of the walk

Park just after the bridge over the Teissonnière stream (hamlet of Les Pras).

(S/E) From the car park, continue along the D114a road for about 150 m until you reach the GR 50 sign (Tour du Valbonnais Beaumont).

(1) Turn left onto theGR®50towards the Col du Plan Collet. This wide forest path climbs gradually and then, after about a kilometre, a little more steeply to the aforementioned small pass.

(2) Here, leave theGR®50and take a small, well-marked and fairly steep path on the left (north-east), which follows the Côte Belle ridge between shrubs and conifers. The view opens up onto the Obiou massif and the Matheysin plateau. Continue to an altitude of 1,639 m.

(3) Leave the path that continues towards the Belle Roche and Dreyre huts and take a path on the left (north-east), which is not very obvious at first, that follows the ridge of the Crête de la Petite Côte and leads to the Sommet de la Cavale through a moorland of heather, rhododendrons, blueberries and other bearberries.

(4) Turn back and follow the same route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 992 m - Parking after the bridge (Les Pras hamlet).
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 999 m - Forest track (GR 50)
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 1,355 m - Col du Plan Collet
  4. 3 : km 2.91 - alt. 1,635 m - Crête de la Petite Côte trail (altitude 1,639 m)
  5. 4 : km 4.36 - alt. 2,127 m - Summit of La Cavale
  6. S/E : km 8.71 - alt. 992 m - Parking after the bridge (Les Pras hamlet).

Notes

To get to the start from Grenoble, head towards Vizille then Laffrey. Continue on the N85 to Les Théneaux. Turn left onto the D115, pass through Nantes-en-Rattier then take the D114 towards La Valette. On leaving La Valette, leave the D114 and turn right onto the D114a to reach Oris-En-Rattier.
Drive through the village and park just after the bridge over the Teissonnière stream (hamlet of Les Pras).

There are no water sources along the route.

The route does not present any technical difficulties. Of course, caution is advised near cliffs.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
tchoumi
tchoumi

Glad you enjoyed this "off the beaten track" hike and thank you for your kind comments.

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suzie0405
suzie0405

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route completed on 14 December under the blue skies of Provence and very warm sunshine.
We only encountered snow just before arriving.
Be warned, the summit has to be earned, with three small bumps to negotiate before reaching the top.
A chamois was waiting for us at the top.
We didn't meet anyone, except for one hunter on the way back.
Thanks to the author for his report.

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jcehenne
jcehenne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike with a nice elevation gain, but no real difficulties.

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EtienneF38
EtienneF38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with an almost continuous and sustained climb (quite steep), superb views from the summit and magnificent weather.

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JPC07
JPC07

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Coming from GAP, where we had bright sunshine and the weather forecast was also good further north, we decided to try this hike. It was a bad decision: we wanted to go to the summit but couldn't see a thing because of the fog that persisted all day. It's a shame: it must have been very beautiful.
Be very careful at point 3 to take the small, steep path on the left: only a cairn indicates it.

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tchoumi
tchoumi

Hello Meow
Thank you for your comments on this hike.
And yes, it makes you want to go for a walk on the Coiro, which towers proudly above us!
Best regards
Tchoumi

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Meow
Meow
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

With this hike, you quickly cover the elevation gain (it climbs continuously). You quickly reach a magnificent panorama. At the summit, you can see the Muzelle rock, the Obiou, and also a beautiful view of the Vercors. As a little bonus, four griffon vultures put on a show. A great walk that makes you want to go and explore the Coiro overlooking us. The suggested route is efficient. The walk took 2 hours and 35 minutes with a 15-minute break at the summit. I did it with a dog, which is fine as there are no dangers. You just need to keep them on a lead at the summit as there are some slopes (small cliffs).

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tchoumi
tchoumi

Thank you for your comment and enjoy your autumn walks.
Tchoumi

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alpin9
alpin9

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view and very wild once you've passed the pass...steep climb (and descent) but not really difficult.

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tchoumi
tchoumi

Glad you enjoyed the hike and thank you for your comments.

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PA12
PA12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that deserves its "difficult" rating due to the steepness of the slope. Completed in 4 hours and 45 minutes, including breaks. Magnificent views! Splendid at the summit and throughout the descent along the ridge.
From point 3, you can find the Crête de la Petite Côte trail by following the cairns, slightly to the right of the start of the ridge.
Thank you!

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.