Circular loop around Patente

Park in the car park at the Patente cross-country ski centre.

(S/E) Cross the D22 carefully and head downhill towards the Fontaine de Bury. Cross a stream and continue straight ahead to reach the Ganasse meadow.

(1) Turn left towards Clos Michet on a yellow and green marked trail. Continue to the small car park at Clos Michet.

(2) Stay on the same side of the car park and take the path that descends along the road: leave the yellow and green markings. Pass in front of a refuge, cross the road, turning left for a few metres then right towards Les Croisettes. You will reach a crossroads near another car park.

(3) Take the path on the left, heading south.

(4) Continue left uphill. Return to the forest road and continue left towards Les Croisettes, following the yellow and green markings. You will reach Les Croisettes, where there is a large crossroads of paths and cross-country ski trails.

(5) Turn left to follow the snowshoe trail, which is mandatory and well marked.

(6) Pass in front of a chasm, where a protective barrier has been installed. Continue along this trail, which is reserved for snowshoes, and arrive at the Patente clearing.

(7) Follow the groomed trail and pick up the snowshoe markings again to reach the cross-country ski centre. Turn right and return to the car park.

(S/E) Climb up to the viewpoint with its orientation table – it's well worth the effort.

(8) Descend back to the car park (S/E).

When snowshoeing, do not underestimate the potential difficulties depending on how busy the trails are and the type of snow.

Chasm (7) and viewpoint (8). The karstic caves are not very visible with the snow.