Bau of the circular Vespres: Grand Couloir, Pas du Clapier and a new return route

Park at the Saut du Loup car park on the D17.

(S/E) Head north towards the Baudino refuge: directional sign at the start, red markers.

(1) Cut across a track and continue straight ahead. Leave a path on the right at an altitude of around 580 m (cairn), then reach a good flat area.

(2) Turn left to reach the viewpoint.

(3) Return to the flat area and continue straight ahead to reach the Baudino Refuge.

(4) Take the path to the north-east, marked in brown. Go through a hole between the rocks (very tall people can go around the outside). About ten metres further on, leave the brown markings and follow a trail on the left that was once marked with black lines, which have been deliberately erased. Climb straight up at first, then gradually head to the right. Follow a ledge (large cairn at the start) above a small barrier, descending slightly and continuing to cross, not far from the foot of the walls. Climb to the left of the Grand Couloir axis, then continue crossing towards the north-east to the end of a narrow ledge equipped with a cable, which leads back into the couloir on the left. A first steep but easy step (very large holds) is equipped with a chain. A little higher up, a second chain secures a flat but smoother step. Follow the track to the right to avoid triggering rockfalls in the couloir. Return to the left at the top and reach the ridge.

(5) Follow the GR® 9 trail to the left, heading south then west, which crosses the Plan de la Crau plateau: few markers, cairns. After a slight descent, look for two cairns on the left on the ridge between which the Green trail begins.

(6) Turn left. After an initial fairly exposed section (good handholds), the rest of the descent is easier. Reach a large terrace below the last small rocky passage (Pas du Clapier).

(7) Take the brown trail on the left: balcony, winding descent, long fairly flat section, then climb to a hairpin bend to the left marked by a large cairn.

(8) Leave the marked trail and continue straight ahead on a good path. Descend to a track, making a large circular loop to the right.

(9) Descend to the left to the start of a large curve to the right. Take a good narrow track on the left which descends slightly to another track.

(10) Climb left for about a hundred metres, then take a poorly maintained path on the right, which is wide at first but narrows and then disappears a little before reaching a small ridge. Follow this ridge (no marked trail but obvious route along the rocky ridge), cross the valley below on the left and continue on flat ground opposite. Pass over the rocks on the right when the trail becomes overgrown with small pine trees. Cross a hollow and find a good trail opposite that widens and leads to the car park (S/E).

No water source.

Shelter and fireplace available (remember to bring wood) at the Baudino Refuge.

This route is not recommended for certain people. The slightly technical and/or aerial and exposed sections of the Grand Couloir are very well equipped with a cable and two chains: it is advisable to hold on to them for safety, but to use the large and numerous natural handholds to progress, especially for your feet, as this is more effective and less tiring than hanging on and pulling yourself up with your arms on the handrails. However, the Green route is not equipped and the start of the descent, although fairly easy, may impress some people; the rest is easier.

Slightly upstream from the car park, on the other side of the D17, the Saut du Loup waterfall flows during wet periods.