Bouffard route

Park in the village of Le Ponteil; please note there are few spaces – if all are full, continue to the car park at the village exit.
(S/E) Head south on the^GR®50, then leave it after 500m.

(1) Turn right onto the track leading to Tramouillon.

(2) After the first hairpin bend, turn left onto the poorly marked path that winds through the forest.
Initially gentle, it soon becomes very steep, leading out onto the mountain pasture just before the Bouffard chalets at the crossroads at an altitude of 1,724 metres.

(3) Continue on to the chalets.

(4) Then return to the junction at the 1724-metre mark.

(3) Turn right onto the path and cross the Torrent de Bouffard. You will then come to a wide track rutted by timber hauling, before reaching the alpine hamlet of Les Preyts (marked ‘Spreyts’ on the sign).

(5) Join the^GR®50, turn left and, on a level stretch, cross the Torrent de Bouffard again via a brand-new footbridge, and further on, the Torrent du Rivet. You’ll reach the first junction of the morning.

(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Water is available in the streams and the springs that feed them, but must be used with care.
Springs near the chalets.

The Freissinières Valley, a centre of Protestantism in the Hautes-Alpes.
Dormillouse, a secluded village accessible only on foot.
There are numerous hikes, notably the Tour de Roche Charnière, the peak overlooking Bouffard – a route to be described… soon.