Tête de Vente-Cul and the summit of Les Teyssonnières

de fr

This hike is an unforgettable experience, particularly after a snowfall which has transformed the natural landscape. Located near La Roche-des-Arnauds, it offers an accessible and well-maintained route, although it is not signposted. The cairns dotted along the path make it easy to find your way, even for less experienced walkers. Right from the start, the landscape opens up to spectacular views: Céüse, the Tête de la Clappe, the Rabou Valley and Charance. Every stage invites you to pause and reflect, and to lose yourself in the moment. The gradual ascent eventually leads to the summit of Les Teyssonnières, a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint, particularly over the Pic de Bure and the massifs of Les Trois Évêchés, Le Parpaillon and Les Écrins. This walk combines natural beauty, tranquillity and a sense of wonder. It offers a unique experience for walkers seeking adventure and serenity, and occasionally provides the chance for an exceptional encounter with mouflons or ibex.

Details

n°68223491
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.35 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,474 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,461 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,640 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,412 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Focus on Céüse
Summit of Les Teyssonnières and Céüse
Ascent to Les Teyssonnières with a view of the Pic de Bure
Herd of mouflons

Description of the walk

Park in one of the two car parks for light vehicles located at the hairpin bend on the Route des Baux (D418).

(S/E) Take the track heading north-west and continue until you see two large cairns on the right, marking the start of an unmarked but clearly visible path.

(1) Leave the track and pass between the cairns to follow the steeply ascending path, which winds its way up the ridge in numerous hairpin bends to the south of the Tête de Vente-Cul.

(2) Once you reach the Tête de Vente-Cul (1,639 m), take a moment to admire the panoramic views and the many beautiful cairns. Then continue along the path which descends towards the nearby pass of the same name.

(3) Take the track that climbs gently up to the Col de Garcinel (1,684 m).

(4) Retrace your steps for a few metres, then turn right to follow the ridge path to the summit of Les Teyssonnières (1,726 m).

(5) Enjoy an exceptional 360° panorama. Then head down towards the Col de Vente-Cul, which you can see below.

(3) Carry on straight ahead and retrace your steps along the ascent route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,412 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.65 - alt. 3,806 ft - Two cairns, start of the trail
  3. 2 : mi 1.96 - alt. 5,377 ft - Tête de Vente-Cul
  4. 3 : mi 2.08 - alt. 5,322 ft - Col de Vente-Cul
  5. 4 : mi 2.65 - alt. 5,512 ft - Col de Garcinel
  6. 5 : mi 3.1 - alt. 5,640 ft - Summit of Les Teyssonnières
  7. S/E : mi 5.35 - alt. 3,422 ft - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Taiga13
Taiga13

Well marked with pretty cairns dotted along the peak of BURE

Machine-translated

1950bba
1950bba

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In fact, I didn't quite follow the route indicated.
I came back down via the Matacharre trail rather than the uphill path: it was longer and a bit boring (despite the beauty of the forest in autumn), but easier on my old joints.
When I reached the Vente-cul pass, I tried to go directly to the summit of Les Teyssonnières. I didn't see any trail leading there (is there one? I didn't see it from the summit either). So I climbed straight up through the woods. You can get through anywhere, but the terrain is steep, covered with unstable rocks and slippery grass: unpleasant on the way up and probably even more so on the way down.
Apart from this section, the trail is very well marked and has a steady slope, with picturesque ridge trails (but no difficulty) before point 2 and between 5 and 4.
Uninterrupted background noise: "green motorbike".

Machine-translated

sabinefebvre
sabinefebvre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful route. Don't hesitate to push on to the Tête de la Clappe... Allow an hour to get there.

Machine-translated

Taiga13
Taiga13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A good route, very well marked with cairns.
Taiga

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Tour de la Gerle

Visorando Member
Le tour de la Gerle
↔2.40 mi ↗+584 ft ↘-568 ft ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
A short family circular on the heights of La Roche-des-Arnauds, with waterfalls, a scenic path and, finally, the remains of a castle offering a view of the village!

Walking La Roche-des-Arnauds: Distillery Route (from the tower to Petit Buëch)

Visorando Member
La Roche-des-Arnauds: Circuit de la Distillerie (de la tour au petit Buëch)
↔5.56 mi ↗+860 ft ↘-853 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
An easy route to climb above La Roche-des-Arnauds, passing under the cliffs of La Barre and along the bucolic banks of the Petit Buëch. With a panoramic view from the ruins of the tower.

Walking La Roche-des-Arnauds: the Bishops' circuit

Visorando Member
La Roche-des-Arnauds : circuit des Évêques
↔5.85 mi ↗+764 ft ↘-761 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
The Circuit des Évêques (named after a place you will pass near) is a very popular route in La Roche-des-Arnauds. It will allow you to discover the cable bridge and the Corréo plateau with interesting views of the Tête de Clappe, the Pic de Bure and the Pic de Ceüze. This circuit is also selected as a mountain bike circuit.

Walking Les Cabrettes des Roux

Visorando Member
Les Cabrettes des Roux
↔7.07 mi ↗+2,467 ft ↘-2,448 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
This hike is first and foremost an opportunity to discover a little-known heritage and practice of forestry, namely cable transport. This ancient practice dates back to the 1930s and has been partially restored by Mr Pierre Para. The "cabrette" is the common name given to the pylon that supports the cable. Of course, throughout the hike, the view of the south face of the Pic de Bure and its east pillar (opened by René Desmaison in three days in September 1961) will be remarkable.

Walking Circular Matacharre to Col de Conode

Visorando Member
↔9.07 mi ↗+1,923 ft ↘-1,903 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
A classic PR® marked trail, located mainly in the Sauvas National Forest, above La Roche des Arnauds. The route descends from the Maison Forestière de Matacharre to the Ravin du Rif de l'Arc, climbs back up to the Col de Matacharre via the forest road through Le Pinet, then follows a GRP® trail with a few tricky sections to the Col de Conode (GR®94B). The circular route finally ends with the descent on the D7 track from Conode. Mèfi1: the crossing between the Col de Matacharre and the Col de Conode includes three tricky crossings of schistose ravines and scree slopes, some of which are quite exposed. This part of the route requires you to be accustomed to this type of terrain andto remain cautious.

Walking Matacharre Ridge and Pic Chauve circular loop

Visorando Member
↔6.94 mi ↗+2,910 ft ↘-2,897 ft ◔5 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
A little-visited ridge and peak offering a 360° panorama of the surrounding mountains and a magnificent view of the Combe de Mai and the snow-capped Montagne de Bure. Please note: take note of the comments in the practical information section before setting out on this hike.

Walking Pertuis Cave at Pic Chauve

Visorando Member
Grotte du Pertuis au Pic Chauve
↔3.83 mi ↗+1,732 ft ↘-1,726 ft ◔3h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
This is a half-day hike, either on foot or with snowshoes. Almost the entire route is through forest with clearings to enjoy the scenery and finish the climb to the Pertuis, which can be visited with a good torch. The return is via another pleasant path.

Walking The summit of the Barre de la Roche-des-Arnauds via a circular route from Les Baux

Visorando Member
↔6.60 mi ↗+3,012 ft ↘-2,999 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roche-des-Arnauds (Hautes-Alpes)
A climb to the summit of La Barre overlooking La Roche-des-Arnauds, passing through the Col des Roux and a circular route before the descent back to the mountain pasture. The ridge offers a panoramic view of the Upper Buëch valley, and the circular route allows you to discover the cabrettes, a remarkable piece of forestry heritage.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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