Chalamet Tower

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The parking area at the start of the hike is unreliable (private property); it is advisable to park a few hundred metres away, at the picnic area, which can accommodate 3 or 4 vehicles.

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Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

this isn't the hike I was expecting at all! After that huge climb, I thought I'd be rewarded with a stunning view... But no, the rest of the hike is completely in the forest. There are only four or five spots where you can see the landscape, which is a real shame. Luckily, the sun was shining and it was very pleasant. My advice: enjoy the scenery by turning around during the climb. It's a fairly challenging route, excellent for a good workout.

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Date of your route : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that begins with a climb of nearly 450 metres over 2.5 kilometres.
So it's quite steep.
Then there's a lovely walk along the ridges, alternating between the Gigors side and the Rhône Valley side on the way back

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Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a slightly steep slope for the first 3 kilometres.
But after that, you are rewarded with a beautiful 360-degree view and a gentle descent along pretty stony paths
Highly recommended 😉

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Date of your route : Feb 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike done in strong mistral winds AND clouds on the peaks, not the best combination... The start of the hike was pretty tough and not very interesting (I wonder if it wouldn't be better to do the hike in the other direction and finish with a big descent). It gets more interesting once you reach the summit, with more variety in the paths, even if the view was unfortunately hidden by clouds.
In short: a hike to do in good weather and in the summer to enjoy the vegetation.
To those who would like to do this hike on a mistral day: do it in the other direction.

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Date of your route : Oct 21, 2023
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 a challenging 2.5 km climb at the beginning of the trail. The small green area near the refuge was a welcome spot for a picnic in the October sunshine. There are some lovely views along the way. You will need good trainers or walking shoes as the paths are quite stony. I would definitely recommend this trail.

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Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to do in the morning on a hot day, as the route is mostly shaded. No difficulty, but make sure you wear good shoes as some of the paths are stony.

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Date of your route : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

perfect hike for summer as it is very sunny. Some interesting views.
I left the village square at 6:30 a.m. to beat the heat. The route was therefore slightly longer than indicated, at around 14 km. The journey took 2 hours and 45 minutes. According to Strava, the elevation gain was 734 m, with the highest point being the Col d'Ourches at an altitude of 834 m. The route was a little dry and stony on the first 4 kilometres, then it was fairly flat and downhill on the plateau towards the south. Then there was a short climb to the Croix de Besot, but less than a kilometre, and a descent to Ourches along a dirt track and again a few hundred metres of stones and rocks at the bottom of the route, but no danger. The route is very well signposted by the author, with excellent markings and no risk of getting lost.

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Date of your route : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with regular views of the Rhône Valley, then the 3 peaks.
The car park at the starting point was not accessible, and there were signs indicating private property.
I don't know if this is true because there are no private property signs at this location.
It is more of a path leading to private property: to be confirmed, however
The climb is nice and varied.
You reach the summit at the hut and campfire site.
The descent and then the climb are also nice, with changes in vegetation that take you further south

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Date of your route : Jun 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Best done in dry weather. 95% of the route is in woodland.
Not much of a scenic route, but a nice climb for training

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Date of your route : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The starting point is now private, so park well ahead.
The refuge isn't really a refuge, but more of a hut with a table and a stove, and unfortunately it's dirty, with people leaving their rubbish behind.
The main attractions of this hike are the shade and the view of the 3 peaks, and that's about it.

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Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike with magnificent views on all sides, a little rocky in places.
The box trees seem to be recovering despite the moths, and we met a friendly hunter—if that's possible!
Thanks, Patrick

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There is some doubt about the title, as the summit of the "real" Chalamet (888 m, IGN map 3136 O) is located north of La Raye (the one I climbed today), whereas this route runs south of the La Raye ridge at a place called Chalamet. Another title?
Regards

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Date of your route : Jun 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Departure from the Ourches car park as there is no longer any parking at the start of the hike (+ 1 km). The circuit was completed early in the morning in 2 hours and 55 minutes. In this case, the elevation gain is 680 m.
This is a fairly challenging route. For views of the region, it is best to climb to the summit of La Raye after the Col d'Ourches. A pleasant, shaded hike.

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Apart from the 17% gradient to climb up to the pass and then the descent with the same gradient, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
There was a beautiful view between the trees, which provided welcome shelter from the intense heat
Highly recommended, but caution is advised for those who are not particularly athletic

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