Vallon de Combau - Tête Chevalière, Vercors

A hike in Drôme and Isère, but starting from the Vercors drômois side.

The Vallon de Combau and the Tête Chevalière at 1951m. A panoramic view over the Trièves valley.
During the months of May and June, the Vallon du Combau is must-visit destination, where you can enjoy the flora and fauna, particularly marmottes.
A relatively easy hike up to the Pas de l'Essaure pass, then a little more difficult.

Technical sheet

5968
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 535 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 532 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,948 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,446 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Chatillon in Diois, reach the hamlet of Bénevise, a commune of Tréschenu-Creyers, and take the D515 in the Vallon de Combau.

Park at the end of the small valley by the Fontaine des Prêtres after the gite-auberge (inn). The number of parking spaces is limited.
Continue along the road for about 100m. When you reach a stele, take the pasture trail that turns left and then right on a hairpin. Pass a large barn (1) and continue until the Cabane de l'Essaure, which is a small mountain hut. (2) Turn right to reach the Pas de l'Essaure which offers a stunning view of the Trièves and Isère!
Keep to the ridge, pass a small trough and climb left on a very steep path for cows. Continue until you reach the edge of a big rock fall (3) This section is dangerous!
From there, climb along the ridge until the highest point with an amazing view over the Veymont and Mont Aiguille.
Climb up to the Tête Chevalière at 1941m (4)
Then descend southwest, then south continuing straight through the stones and grassland (5). You'll find yourself by cairns positioned on this section.
Rejoin the GR by the Chamousset bergeriee (sheep pen) (6). Turn left and you'll be back at the Refuge de l'Essaure, passing via the Col du Creuson.
Then retrace your steps over the outwards leg until you arrive back at the starting car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,446 m - Parking at the Fontaine des Prêtres
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,605 m - Breeding. Large cowshed.
  3. 2 : km 2.4 - alt. 1,659 m - Cabane de l'Essaure (1653m)
  4. 3 : km 4.47 - alt. 1,856 m - Collapse, dangerous passage
  5. 4 : km 5.29 - alt. 1,940 m - Tête Chevalière (1951m)
  6. 5 : km 6.18 - alt. 1,836 m - Crossroads towards the Fontaine de Creuson
  7. 6 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,797 m - GTV Grand Tour du Vercors
  8. 7 : km 7.44 - alt. 1,745 m - Col du Creuson (1741m)
  9. S/E : km 10.58 - alt. 1,446 m - Parking at the Fontaine des Prêtres

Practical information

Essaure mountain hut unmanned.

In the nearby area

Take note when you pass the Rocher du Combau, it's a little like the backdrop of the Far West!
Chatillon in Diois, the Vallée du Diois and, of course, Clairette de Dié.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 76 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Capucine S
Capucine S

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent route for exploring the southernmost edge of the Vercors, with superb views... best done in clear weather and always paying close attention, as there are few signposts on the high plateaus!

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smashdc
smashdc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

What a lovely surprise this hike was!
In fact, it's one of the most beautiful (without the lake) that I've ever done.
I've never had such a beautiful valley, with superb panoramic views of the Vercors range and Mont Aiguille 🙂
Top panorama of Mont Aiguille!
To get there, we'll go through a climb that's not the easiest, but nothing technical: max gradient 28%.
It climbs all the way to Tête Chevalière but it's fairly gradual.
I extended the track by wandering around a bit because I found the panorama of the valley too beautiful and there was no one there either!
Five ibexes and a few marmots :-)
It's impossible to get lost. You can quickly find your way with a standard telephone and the track.

Don't hesitate to do it, as the roads to the car park are also very nice, even if they are narrow.
.
12.3 km & 623 m D+/D-
🚀 The toporando discovery is here 👇👇
https://youtu.be/Egwt2hYwe9w
🎬 This hike is part of my Vercors epic: 256 km & 15,049 m D+/D-

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Alison M.
Alison M.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Perfect route up to tête chevalière. Breathtaking view of Mont Aiguille. After that, it was impossible to find the track. We ended up turning back, which was a pity.

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andrebayle
andrebayle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Mont Aiguille is my favourite peak (I was lucky enough to go round it on a first flight in 1964), so it was only natural that I should come and admire it from the tête chevalière. Discovering the area's rugged geology makes it easier to understand why erosion separated it from the massif so long ago.
Very few hikers that day
For me, the route was via Chichilianne and the Col de Menée. From Grenoble, it's a long way!

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Aurel0726
Aurel0726
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike.
From start to finish, you get a real eyeful, and Mont Aiguille seems within reach...
I followed the GPS track without any problem. Once at the top I improvised a bit to enjoy the plateau a little more.
I met a few people at the end of August, including an eco-guard.
The hike is fairly easy, with only one small steep section that stings a bit.
Great!!!

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bureno38
bureno38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hiking, easy access.
Magnificent 360° scenery.
Makes you want to stay on this plateau.
To be recommended

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Colila
Colila

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike, not too difficult, 2 climbs a little more complicated.

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aclarzul
aclarzul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely hike with beautiful scenery. Passed 2 ibexes and a few marmots.
Worth repeating.

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Vertacomicoriens
Vertacomicoriens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk done 2 times...
Before the ascent to the mountain pastures and during the summer grazing period.
It's not difficult, but it gives you a view of the high plateaux of the Vercors and the mythical Mont Aiguille.
Respect the grazing of the ewes, even if you take a diversion...
Fauna and flora can be seen if you are discreet and respectful.
Whatever the season, it's an enchantment and a privilege.

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Isa84100
Isa84100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,
This is a very nice, easy route. Quite busy from the car park, but the number of walkers decreases sharply after the hut. The valley and the route to the tête Chevalière are very beautiful, with great views along the way and plump marmots. A must-do when the flowers are in bloom. Many thanks to the author.

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cthieblemont
cthieblemont

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty route, with no difficulties, beautiful viewpoints (360° at the tête chevalière), marmots and flowery pastures. As the hike takes place in a cirque, there's no problem finding your way around.

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Cyrille B.
Cyrille B.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Please note that from the tête chevalière onwards, the paths only exist in the form of occasional tracks that bear no relation to those shown on the maps. In addition, the herds' grazing areas are fenced off and it is forbidden to cross. Local shepherds are complaining about the large number of tourists who do not respect this rule when following the Visorando route. They fear an incident with the patoux dogs that defend the herds. At the tête chevlière, my advice (and that of the Chatillon tourist office) is to make a U-turn as far as point 3, then take the track on the right, about a hundred metres further on, which passes by the fontaine de creuson.

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Sergiusto
Sergiusto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb views, despite an overcast day with clouds hanging over the summit of Mont Aiguille.
A dozen or so hikers on the way. At the end of the afternoon, a few people headed up towards the refuge with the intention of spending the night there. Some took a tent with them, as the refuge is not large.

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Beunardeau Claude
Beunardeau Claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb easy walk for the whole family

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randonneurdstclair
randonneurdstclair

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It was a busy circuit, but a decent one. It wasn't crowded either and it was a Saturday. The circuit is magnificent.

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