Combau Valley - Tête Chevalière

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Hike in the Combau Valley, a little corner of paradise offering easy access to the high plateaus of the Vercors with splendid panoramic views.

Details

n°24534
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 729 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 723 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,937 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,456 m
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Photos

Mont Aiguille just before the Tête Chevalière
Ibex and Mont Aiguille
Hauts Plateaux du Vercors
Tent pitched in the stable below the hill

Description of the walk

Park at the car park at the end of the Vallon de Combau.
(S/E) Take the path, which turns 180° and then heads north-west towards the Cabane de l'Essaure and the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors. Pass by a large barn and reach the hut.

(1) Turn right towards the Pas de l'Essaure.

(2) Once you are close to the ridge, do not descend towards the pass but turn left, heading north-west, following the ridge to Tête Chevalière.

(3) Continue just below the ridge until you overlook the valley that climbs towards the Pas de l'Aiguille.

(4) Head west.

(5) Turn due south.

(6) Cross the small Ruisseau du Sourd stream and then pass between groves of trees.

(7) Then head southwest to join the path coming from the Cabane de Chaumailloux.

(8) Turn left and follow this path.

(9) Pass through the Col du Creuson to reach the Cabane de l'Essaure, which you passed on the way there.

(1) All that remains is to retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,458 m - Car park at the end of the Vallon de Combau - Fontaine des Prêtres (Treschenu-Creyers)
  2. 1 : km 2.32 - alt. 1,654 m - Cabane de l'Essaure (1653m)
  3. 2 : km 2.95 - alt. 1,666 m - Change direction before the - Pas de l'Essaure (1654m)
  4. 3 : km 5.19 - alt. 1,936 m - Tête Chevalière (1951m)
  5. 4 : km 6.43 - alt. 1,694 m - Head west, then turn south.
  6. 5 : km 6.82 - alt. 1,662 m - Head due south.
  7. 6 : km 7.33 - alt. 1,645 m - Crossing the Ruisseau du Sourd stream.
  8. 7 : km 7.59 - alt. 1,687 m - Passage between clusters of trees.
  9. 8 : km 8.07 - alt. 1,796 m - Junction with the Cabane de Chaumeillou path.
  10. 9 : km 10.7 - alt. 1,745 m - Col du Creuson (1741m)
  11. S/E : km 13.77 - alt. 1,461 m - Car park at the end of the Vallon de Combau

Notes

Don't forget to take a compass and a camera.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Superb views of Mont Aiguille, a marvel of the Dauphiné, and Grand Veymont, the highest peak in the Vercors.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 35 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 28731974

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went for a walk in the sunshine; we mainly stuck to the fields because the paths were crowded and not very clear, but the walk was still lovely, across the plains
The less flat section with the view over the Rhône Valley is truly beautiful, especially on a clear day – don’t forget your binoculars

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PASCALOURANDO
PASCALOURANDO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off on our hike in foggy conditions, but as the fog gradually lifted during the afternoon, we were treated to some stunning views from this valley, which is well worth a visit. As a result, we deliberately "shortened" the route, which we ended up taking in the opposite direction (from 1 to 8, then shortened to 3, at the summit of Tête Chevallière), making a total time of about 4 hours/4 hours 30 minutes. The view of Mont Aiguille and the Trièves/Dévoluy mountain range is superb from the Chevallière peak. Marmots are abundant between 1 and 2, and it's a pleasure to see them scampering between the rocks.
The trail could do with more signposts or markings on the ground; only a few cairns give a rough indication of the direction.
Be careful, however, of the sheep herding dogs that you may encounter below the Chevallière peak.
It is also worth noting the beauty of the site and this valley; even the drive from the penultimate car park (about 6 km from the last car park and the start of the hike) is quite remarkable.

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User 10304248
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

location is only possible with the downloaded map and GPS; there are no signs or landmarks on the ground except at the start and finish.
Magnificent view of Mont Aiguille and Grand Veymont, taken on 14/07/2025. We only saw horses roaming free and marmots, no ibexes

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bob2607
bob2607

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Trail not very well marked, may be difficult to follow for inexperienced hikers. Especially in foggy weather

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maran04
maran04
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that deserves to be properly marked from the Chevalier head.
We had to search for the way back, which was a shame because the site is magnificent.

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Mich7
Mich7

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with superb views

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Bora38
Bora38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views of Mont Aiguille and the surrounding peaks.
An easy hike in clear weather to enjoy the view.

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RAY Pascal
RAY Pascal

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

Hello,
We had difficulty finding the trail from point 3 (below the Chevaliere head)
It was impossible to see, so we had to go off-trail to get back on the normal route, which was much further away...
it's a shame, because it's a very beautiful hike
Best regards

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E.desgayets
E.desgayets

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike with views of Mont Aiguille and the Alps.
In spring, the meadows are covered with blue gentians, wild orchids, daffodils, forget-me-nots and other wild flowers. We had the opportunity to observe a herd of ibex and half a dozen marmots at close range; you can tell that this nature reserve is well protected.

PLEASE NOTE:
The route was mapped out in a hurry and from point 3 (Tête Chevalière) it is impossible to find your way without the app and a GPS. There are no paths or trails.
In fact, the route between points 3 and 7 is of no interest other than getting lost; no path corresponds to the route.
It is better to choose the hiking route called "Vallon de Combeau et Tête Chevalière"

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degavroche
degavroche

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I have the impression that the GPS track was not recorded but rather traced by hand. The route between Tête Chevalière (Point #3) and Point #8 has no path. The hike is very pretty and offers magnificent views of the Triève. At the end of October, the horses had left the area, but not without leaving traces of their stay.

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Syldelo
Syldelo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk. Be careful, the path is close to the precipice...

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haim
haim

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike in autumn... Sublime landscapes

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BRUN Mireille
BRUN Mireille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent views of Mt Aiguille and Grand Veymont

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Benoit Nelles
Benoit Nelles

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Fantastic landscapes, beautiful nature, especially in spring (flower beds) and abundant wildlife: marmots, ibexes. Choose a day when the weather is good. In foggy weather, orientation can be very difficult. The day before, we had hiked the Cirque d'Archiane with the vulture trail, staying at La Bergerie in Menée, which was ideally located, brand new and very welcoming for a weekend getaway.
The car park was busy, especially in the afternoon when we came back down, but few people venture far onto the plateau.

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Morgane P
Morgane P

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk. A very nice route marked by cairns. Superb view of Mont Aiguille. Wild horses and marmots

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