Vallat du Loup and Vallat des Fourches

This wild trail takes in the mythical lower Vallat du Loup. If you can't spot a wolf, you might spot wild boar or hear a roe deer barking. You return to Le Défens via a little-known combe.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 564 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 545 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,585 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,044 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Monieux lake.

(S/E) Go towards the refreshment room, follow the tarmac path around the lake, continue on the small road to the right until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Turn right, pass Le Viguier farm, turn left and continue to the right-hand bend where the climb to La Plane begins.

(2) At the entrance to this bend, look for a path that veers off to the left, then bends to the right, and enters the Vallat du Loup. Follow the path to the bottom of the valley.
Further on, pass a slope over tree trunks, then two iron ladders. Avoid an impenetrable section of the thalweg by following an old track that veers off to the right. Continue until you reach the first track that rises to the left.

(3) Take this track, then turn left a little further up. Continue along the balcony path on the right bank of the Vallat. At the next junction, take the path that climbs steeply to the right and leads to a track.

(4) Ignore two tracks on the left and 200 m further on there is another track on the left.

(5) Fork this track and a little further on the left you will see a watering place for animals. Cross a clearing and continue straight ahead on a path leading down into a valley (Vallat des Fourches). This leads to a small gravel track.

(6) Turn left downhill. Turn right onto the Chemin de la Grange du Défens and reach the D96 opposite Jas du Sauveur. Turn left and take the first road on the right.

(1) Take this road to reach the car park at the lake (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,047 ft - Monieux lake
  2. 1 : mi 0.46 - alt. 2,064 ft - D96 under Le Viguier
  3. 2 : mi 0.67 - alt. 2,106 ft - Entrance to the Vallat du Loup
  4. 3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 2,434 ft - Exit from the Vallat du Loup
  5. 4 : mi 1.96 - alt. 2,582 ft - Crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 2.08 - alt. 2,562 ft - Entrance to the Vallat des Fourches
  7. 6 : mi 2.63 - alt. 2,264 ft - Exit from the Vallat des Fourches
  8. S/E : mi 3.41 - alt. 2,047 ft - Monieux lake

Notes

The circuit is not recommended for people who are not sure-footed (several metres of walking on sloping tree trunks and several steep passages). It is important to wear good walking shoes.

In addition, avoid this circuit in rainy or wet weather (very slippery passages, risk of flooding).

Refreshments available at the Monieux lake.

During the summer, please consult:
Website for access restrictions to the mountains

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
mimijulien
mimijulien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

I recommend this lovely walk, and even without being adventurous, the three passages were fairly easy to cross. Thank you.

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