Tour of the hamlets of Aigue Agnelle

On the Col Agnel road leading to Italy, there are three hamlets in Molines that are inhabited all year round: Pierre Grosse, Le Coin and Fontgillarde. These hamlets have preserved their traditional architecture (stone, wood, sundials) as well as numerous fountains, mission crosses and the coexistence of temples and churches.
In winter, see: Practical information.

Details

21372684
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 164 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 164 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,024 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,898 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Pont de Chanterane.

(S/E) At the corner of the bridge, look for the Pont de Chanterane sign at an altitude of 1,906 m, then head towards Fontgillarde. The trail climbs up the left bank of the Aigue Agnelle to Pont de Peyre Bartino.

(1) At the Pont de Peyre Bartino signpost , altitude 1983 m, head towards Fontgillarde. After crossing the Aigue Agnelle, climb up through the village until you reach the Col Agnel road (D205). Turn left and continue to the fountain with the donkey holding the moon in its mouth.

(2) At the fountain, take the lane heading north (perpendicular to the Col Agnel road) then turn left to see the Temple de Fontgillarde with its blue sundial. Return to the main road through the hamlet (D205) then continue crossing from east to west. Pass in front of the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, then leave the hamlet. 150 m after the Les Tarines de l'Agnel farm, near a mission cross, a sign indicates: Le Coin.

(3) Climb up to this hamlet via a small path through the mountain pasture. After the bridge, join the tarmac road. Follow it uphill for about 100 metres.

(4) Take the narrow street that climbs up to Vieux Coin. This section is a round trip and allows you to see old log cabins and the small chapel.

(4) On the way back, continue along the tarmac road which descends past the Les Cimes building. Go around the Les Gentianes building on the right. At the end of the cul-de-sac, a small path descends to the main road. A fountain and two benches await you for a break! Once on the road, descend barely 50 metres then take the street on the right, until you reach the bend with the signpost Le Coin Châteaurenard 1965 m.

(5) Leave the road and follow the signs for Serre Nebrens. The path passes above the hamlet of Pierre Grosse.

(6) At the Serre Nebrens signpost ( altitude 1981 m), follow the signs for Pierre Grosse. The path descends towards the hamlet.

(7) At the Pierre Grosse signpost ( 1915 m), turn left and follow theGRP® towards Pont de Chanterane for about 200 m. When the road splits, take the left-hand section which passes in front of some old log cabins and the Saint-Sébastien Chapel, then descends to the Col Agnel road. Continue straight ahead for 200 m. At the end of the hamlet, take the road on the right which descends to Pont de Chanterane (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,898 m - Chanterane Bridge
  2. 1 : km 1.8 - alt. 1,982 m - Pont de Peyre Bartino on the - Aigue Agelle (rivière) - Affluent du Guil
  3. 2 : km 2.07 - alt. 1,997 m - Fountain with the donkey eating the moon
  4. 3 : km 2.71 - alt. 1,974 m - Mission cross, signpost at Le Coin
  5. 4 : km 3.3 - alt. 2,006 m - Le Vieux Coin
  6. 5 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,963 m - Le Coin Châteaurenard
  7. 6 : km 5.36 - alt. 1,968 m - Le Serre Nebrens
  8. 7 : km 5.79 - alt. 1,912 m - Pierre Grosse
  9. S/E : km 6.65 - alt. 1,898 m - Chanterane Bridge

Notes

There are many fountains in the hamlets.
Please note that in winter, the section from the start to the Peyre Bartino Bridge is groomed for cross-country skiers. It is not open to pedestrians or snowshoers!

Worth a visit

In each hamlet: fountains, sundials, traditional houses.
In Fontgillarde, if you meet someone from the village near the fountain with the donkey, ask them to tell you the legend or read it on the small sign nearby!

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
jfson12
jfson12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Passing through villages with traditional dwellings (old larch wood houses).
Beautiful views from the south-facing slope.
Easy hike.

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alnobal07
alnobal07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I started the hike from the car park along the D205 below point No. 7, descending to the Pont du Moulin bridge and taking the forest path to the Bois des Amoureux woods, rejoining the hike just before the Pont de Peyre Bartino bridge.
A very pleasant hike with no particular difficulties. Thank you to the author. (I accompanied a Sports and Health group on this route.)

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, everyone.
Hike completed in good weather, lovely circular route through meadows and hamlets, as well as larch forests. The hamlets are well maintained and authentic, with a few marmots present. Beautiful hike!

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Anne-Claude
Anne-Claude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular walk that starts in the forest 🌳 and then passes through the last three villages before the Italian border. The villages are charming. Beautiful chalets, sundials on the houses and marmots galore. 😍 The route is not difficult. We had a little snow ❄️ on the way back.

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Domdt08
Domdt08

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk to discover the villages, learn about the history of the valley and stretch your legs!

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quencez
quencez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Short, easy walk with beautiful views and magnificent villages with traditional houses.

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mapigap
mapigap

I will discuss this with Florent, who owns the herd, so that he can make it easier for hikers to access the area.

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Philippe Degeye
Philippe Degeye

Indeed, there is no handle. I'm from Belgium, so I won't be coming back...

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mapigap
mapigap

Hello Philippe
The path should normally be accessible. Did you have to walk through the cows? Was there no handrail to help you cross?

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Philippe Degeye
Philippe Degeye

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route. Review access between points 5 and 6. Fence.

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ditgege
ditgege

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The section of trail above the village of Pierre Grosse, about 1.5 km across pastures, is of no interest – it is better to go back down to the exit of Pierre Grosse (where you can park your vehicle) and make a round trip to the village to visit it.

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