Around the Merdanel

Park above the Serre des Hodouls at the end of the track (barrier).

(S/E) At the barrier, head down the track to find the stream, which you’ll follow along the left bank.

(1) Look out for the marked path (in places) which you’ll follow for an hour, cutting across several tracks to reach the Cabane du Bois Durat.

(2) Leave the return path on your left and continue on to the hut.

(3) Above the hut, take the^GR® 541 (marked in white and red), which crosses a stream, climbs through the forest and emerges into the mountain pastures

(4) Leave the^GR® as you emerge from the forest at a hairpin bend and head west across the mountain pastures, descending until you reach the clearly visible path leading up to the Cabane Sainte-Marie.

(5) Follow this path downwards to reach a wider track above Moussière.

(6) Follow this path downhill, keeping an eye out for the cairns which allow you to cut across some of the numerous hairpin bends.

(7) Leave this path at a bend at point 1440 to descend directly to Le Villard and its Chapelle Saint-Michel.

(8) Continue left onto the upper path which leads to Les Chapins.

(9) On leaving the hamlet, carry on straight ahead on level ground, then take the path that climbs into the forest.

(10) At the first hairpin bend, carry on straight ahead along a path that climbs and eventually becomes a footpath.

(11) Turn right onto the yellow-marked balcony path, which will descend further on to the Merdanel stream.

(12) Cross the stream and look out for the cairn opposite, which marks the start of the path leading back up the opposite side.

(2) Turn right onto the original path, which descends alongside the stream and leads back down to the bottom.

(1) All that remains is to follow the path back up to the car park (S/E).

Several mountain streams. Shelter at the Cabane Durat and in the hamlets.
Good walking boots and walking poles recommended.

The Fort Vauban at Mont Dauphin.
The Queyras is not far away.