Pirivigier

A relatively easy and fairly short hike with plenty to see: a charming cave dwelling, the “pétête” (a puppet), a tower shaped by erosion, and the ruins of a 13th-century castle (according to the legend of Baron de Mévouillon, the devil came to claim his soul and destroyed the castle).


From the inn’s parking lot, take the road toward Laragne, and at the intersection, follow the small road leading to the school. When you reach the school, turn left onto “Chemin du Relais” to reach the hamlet of Grange Neuve (this is where the loop begins).
In the hamlet, take the small paved road, lined with magnificent oak trees, which climbs and winds its way up to the last house on the hillside. Continue along the trail, passing a short distance further on by some cave dwellings carved into a sandy rock face (a sort of tower-like structure just past the small stream to the left of the trail). The path becomes a bit sandy, and rushes line the way. Here lie the ruins of the old village of Châteauneuf, steeped in centuries of history. Badger burrows line the trail, which begins to climb again.
A few hundred meters further on, when you reach the ridge line, you can visit the castle ruins on the left. After enjoying the panoramic view of the meandering Buëch River, follow the ridge line up to the summit of Pirivigier, cross a pine forest, and then reach a vast pasture, which in June offers a magnificent flower-filled meadow (Montpellier Aphyllanthus). The trail continues to climb to a grove of pines (intersection with a mountain bike route).
Take the trail on the left (barely marked) that descends along the dry meadow at the edge of the forest. The trail widens into a 4x4 track. Continue straight ahead, following the edge of the woods.
When the trail curves to the right through a grove of small oak trees, take the path that veers sharply to the left. After 150 meters, at a trail junction, turn onto the path on the right. The view opens up onto Châteauneuf as the trail branches left through some pretty rock formations. Follow the trail’s switchbacks to reach a track on the left.
Continue to the junction with the road.
Follow the road to the right and return to the starting point by following the same route as on the way there.