Col d’Ambonne depuis Montréal

Here, you'll follow in the footsteps of VALERIUS COMETIUS, veteran of the 8th Augusta Legion (1st century), a Roman legion created by Julius Caesar around 59 BC. Like this Gallo-Roman legionary, the first known inhabitant of Montréal-les-Sources, you'll discover part of the commune's territory along pleasant paths and trails.
Don't miss the opportunity to take your curiosity to new heights by climbing up to the panoramic viewpoint next to the telecommunications antenna. You'll have a 360° view of the Ardèche mountains, Mont Ventoux and Mont de Lure, the Pre-Alps, the Écrins massif and, for the lucky ones on clear days, the Meije and sometimes Mont-Blanc, finishing with the nearby Trois Becs.

Departure point: before entering the village, on the left, a "Visitor" parking area is available to start this hike on the heights of Montréal-les-Sources.

1. At the entrance to the village, after the fountain and calvary, turn right onto the road signposted "Chemin du Col d'Ambonne" and "DFCI". At the intersection of "Chemin du Col d'Ambonne" and "Chemin de la chapelle Saint-Julien", keep right towards the DFCI and Col d'Ambonne.

2. At the junction of "Chemin de Bascoulet" and "Chemin du Col d'Ambonne", follow this road to the right (still the DFCI). Leave the tarmac road at the next hairpin bend for a footpath signposted to the right. After 50 m, turn left up the steep grassy slope.

3. Cross the road again and go straight ahead on the signposted path (boulder). Return to the road and follow it to the left.

4. At the junction with "chemin des Nayses", stay on the road towards "Chanel". When you reach "Chanel", go straight ahead on the track, which rises steadily (wooden sign for Col d'Ambonne). Shortly afterwards, leave the track for a grassy path on the right.

5. Cross the track once, then head into the undergrowth and left onto the flat. Follow the signs.

6. Pass through a conifer plantation and fall back onto the track, which you should follow to the left. 100m further on, go straight ahead and avoid the track which descends to the left.

7. Not far from a small tree house, at the top of the track, turn right into the forest and then left into the beech forest (trees = beech or beech trees). The trail will leave the forest and gradually open up. Not far from the pass, follow a path on the right between box trees and grass, marked by two cairns, and come out on the track, which you should follow on the left.

8. Arrive at Col d'Ambonne (alt.1173m). A little before the pass, follow the signs for Bascoulet, while at the same time spotting a "Saint May" sign about 30 m further on. A narrow path rises through the meadow on the mountainside.

9. At a small crossroads, follow the "Panorama" sign to the right. Climb up to the antennae (pylons) and back on a steep path leading to a 360° panorama of the Rosanais, Ventoux, Alps, Oule valley and Nyonsais. Allow 30 minutes round trip.
On the way back down, take the path on your left (or opposite the descent) towards "Saint-May". Do not follow the central path which leads to the Plateau de Boeuf, which is privately owned. Follow this path, which becomes a track without leaving it. Continue straight ahead to reach the Col de Bascoulet.

10. Stay on the main left-hand track, which winds downhill. Pass over the Beaumettes farm and pick up the tarmac road on the left. In the next hairpin, turn right towards "Chemin des Vignasses" and "Ferme Fortia".

11. On the descent, leave the road for a signposted track under an electricity pole. Turn slightly left before a house. At the tarmac intersection of "Chemin du Bois Seigneur" and "Chemin de la Font d'Alleyron", turn left towards the village.

12. Under the 1st houses, turn left and return to the starting point. Visit the village, drinking water available, and toilets opposite under the "Soutet".

Spoken languages

• French

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• Open air