The farms of Rif Bruyants - Family Walk

Pedestrian sports
Hiking itinerary

Image illustrative — © Jean-Pierre NICOLLET

Le Mollard
Route D114
38350 Lavaldens

Difficulty: Facile
Lenght: 5Km
Elevation: 250m
Duration: 2H

The farms of Rif Bruyants - Family Walk_Lavaldens

Very nice hike to the abandoned farms of Rif Bruyant. Discover this small charming hamlet.

Sleeping and eating available in The Rif Bruyant Refuge.

START at "Le Mollard" or "Le Fontagneu"

Connected to the Roizonne valley by an old "calade" path (a rough cobbled trail made of embedded stones), the little-known Rif Bruyant valley is full of hidden treasures. Discover the stone houses of the old hamlet, with their slate roofs and stepped gable ends. As you stroll through the beautiful hay meadows bordered by low stone walls, you may come across the natural icehouses, once used to age the valley’s cheeses.

Parking from Alpe du Grand Serre:
Take the D114 towards La Mure. After passing the hamlet of Fontagneu, you’ll find a parking area on your left, near the hamlet of Le Mollard.

From La Mure:
Take the D114 towards Alpe du Grand Serre. After the village of La Valette, the parking area and the hamlet of Le Mollard are on your right.
If the parking is full, you can turn back to the hamlet of Fontagneu, which also offers parking. The additional few hundred meters are signposted and follow the river below.

Trail Directions:
Take the path toward Le Mollard. Once in the hamlet, turn right to reach the Rif Bruyant stream. Continue through the wooded area until you reach a stone-arched bridge. Do not cross this bridge — instead, follow the stream uphill. At the second bridge, cross over the Rif Bruyant and take the narrower trail to the left, which leads into the forest and up to the old hamlet.

Important:
You are in a protected natural area.
Please stay on marked trails, keep your dog on a leash, do not light fires, and carry out all your trash or dispose of it in the nearest bins. Respecting and preserving this special place is essential!

Route details

2h0

Aller-Retour

5km

250m elevation gain

Difficulty

Children,
Walkers/hikers,
Level green – easy

Direction signs

PDIPR Signage

Ground type

Ground,
Hard coating (tar, cement, flooring),
Grit,
Not suitable for strollers

Map references

TOP 25 IGN 3336 OT DE LA MURE VALBONNAIS

Guidebook references

TOP 25 IGN 3336 OT – La Mure / Valbonnais

Pets welcome,
Accommodation,
Restaurant

Parking nearby

Opening

From May 1st to October 31st.

Subject to snow conditions.

The Rivobruenti refuge is open daily in July and August, and on weekends from May to October.

More details

For more adventurous hikers: experienced walkers can continue up the steep valley of the Rif Bruyant, lined with lush meadows, all the way to the lake of the same name, hidden in the heart of a wild, rocky cirque.