Bergerie Inférieure de Mary walks

Etape de la traversée des Alpes à partir du hameau de Maljasset qui suit la route de la Haute Ubaye avec une vue époustouflante sur les sommets qui bordent le flanc sud du Queyras. Traversée de la Haute Ubaye dans un univers minéral parmi les sommets de plus de 3000m.

Return to Queyras by crossing the Col Girardin via a path that starts off quite steep but then levels out before ending with large hairpin bends that finish at the pass. This is followed by a long descent past the lakes, which reflect the famous Font Sancte, the highest point in Queyras.

The passage between the two departments of Alpes de Haute Provence and Hautes Alpes is via the famousGR®5, which supports theGRP® of the Tour de la Font Sancte on this section.

This route largely followsGRP®® markings (Tour du Chambeyron). A safe option, yet still spectacular.Spectacular, because the route constantly alternates between stark, steep and rocky terrain and lush, rolling and reassuring landscapes.Safe, because it is fully signposted and even offers alternative routes to avoid the most difficult sections in the event of bad weather.

A walk through the valleys and passes of the Vallonnet in the high-altitude mountain pastures, passing by the old fortifications.

This sixteenth stage completes the crossing of the Chambeyron Massif and, after Larche, enters the Mercantour Massif. From Les Granges de Fouillouse, the GR®5 follows the Riou de Fouillouse upstream, passing the ruins of Fort de Plate Lombarde, then, via the Plate Lombarde valley, reaches the Col du Vallonnet. It then descends to Lac du Vallonnet Inférieur, where it heads due south to join an old military road that climbs towards the Viraysse barracks. From there, the GR®5 crosses the Col de Mallemort and descends to the hamlet of Larche. The route follows the Ubayette, then crosses it and reaches the Pont Rouge car park, which marks the entrance to the Mercantour National Park. It then heads due south, climbing to Lac du Lauzanier, then on to Lac de Derrière la Croix, before reaching the Pas de la Cavale. The descent starts off quite steep but then becomes gentler. After the Salse Morene plateau, the path climbs the Col des Fourches and, from the Camp des Fourches, reaches the hamlet of Bousiéyas.

First stage around the Chambeyron Mountain Range which, after a steady climb, takes you to the shelter with the same name. You'll end up in a breath-taking setting, at the foot of Brec de Chambeyron.

This is the final stage, to be savoured as it deserves. And it begins with the highest point, reachable in just over half an hour. A magnificent panorama, stretching from the Mediterranean to Monte Rosa! And to make your way down from up there, the wild and rocky Vallon du Loup and its beautiful lake. Finally, to round off the day, the summit of Rocca Bianca before heading back down into the valley.

A very long day criss-crossing the border. But what breathtaking scenery! And you won’t be bothered by the neighbours... there’s little chance of coming across other two-legged creatures. But perhaps some ibex, vultures, including (apparently) a pair of bearded vultures.

This fifteenth stage crosses the Escreins massif (not to be confused with the Écrins massif) and, via the Ubaye valley, enters the Chambeyron valley. From the Refuge de la Cime, the route—off the GR®5—crosses the Torrent du Mélezet valley and climbs up the Pré Girardin valley via the ski runs; then, on the plateau, it skirts the rocky ridge overlooking Lac Miroir, reaches the lake and rejoins the GR®5. The route climbs up the valley between the shoulder of the Pic des Heuvières and the Crête de Coste Belle, passing the small pass of Sainte-Anne and then the lake of the same name before reaching the Col Girardin. It descends towards a basin, where the Torrent des Séchoirs has its source, and follows it. Clinging to the side of a steep slope, it joins the D25 road in the upper Ubaye valley and continues downstream, alternating between the road and paths close to the river. It leaves the D25 for the Fouillouse road, passes the vertiginous Pont du Châtelet, a tunnel and, via a path, reaches the hamlet of Fouillouse.