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

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 527 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 524 m

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

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
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,605 m - Live stock. Large barn.
  3. 2 : km 2.4 - alt. 1,659 m - Cabane de l'Essaure hut
  4. 3 : km 4.47 - alt. 1,856 m
  5. 4 : km 5.29 - alt. 1,940 m - Tête Chevalière.
  6. 5 : km 5.76 - alt. 1,882 m - Descent through stones and grassland
  7. 6 : km 6.26 - alt. 1,827 m - Bergerie de Chamousset. Junction with the GR.
  8. S/E : km 11.03 - alt. 1,446 m

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.

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