Serre des 9 églises

Departure: Park at the Aubépin hamlet parking lot. Just behind the Cave de Si, you'll find a small parking lot where you can leave your car. There's a hiking signpost right in front of you, on the other side of the road. Follow the main road down to Grand Oriol. Follow the smaller road branching off to the right. This will take you to the second signpost entitled "Le Grand Oriol".

1) From "Le Grand Oriol", drive through the village in the direction of "Serre du Thau". There's a good asphalt climb ahead. You'll soon leave the village and find yourself in the middle of fields. The first interesting view is of the Dévoluy massif. Continue along this path until you reach "Serre du Thau".

2) From "Serre du Thau" continue towards "Serre des 9 églises". The path remains very pleasant and allows you to take full advantage of the surrounding views. You'll soon reach the Serre. Then head for the belvedere below. A short round trip will give you a magnificent view of all the peaks of the Trièves.

3) Once back at the "Serre des 9 églises" signpost, head for the "Serre du Villaret", a pleasant passage through the forest taking in the pine forest undergrowth. After a long stretch in the forest, you'll come back to the road where you'll find the next post, "Le Villaret". Turn right to reach the Serre of the same name. A long stretch of road brings you to a new yellow post indicating "Serre du Villlaret".

4) Once you've reached the "Serre du Villaret", follow the signs for the "Richards", going down through the forest to the hamlet. Then cross the hamlet and follow the signs for "Petit Oriol". Once you've passed the road again, turn right into Petit Oriol.

5) From the "Petit Oriol" signpost, follow the path to the right towards "Eaux d'Oriol". This pleasant track takes you alongside the Grand Oriol stream. At the "Eaux D'Oriol" signpost, follow the signs for "Grand Oriol". A short climb will take you to the hamlet of Grand Oriol, which you passed earlier. Then follow the signs for "Aubépin" to take the same route as before and return to your car.