Colle Bercia loop, between France and Italy

Park in the Plaine du Bourget car park at the intersection of the road and the start of the Mautino refuge (signposted). Other parking spaces are available further up or down the road.

(S/E) Take the track opposite the car park towards Capana Mautino and Col Bousson: yellow signs. At the first intersection, take the track that climbs to the left.

(1) Leave the hamlet on your left and continue straight ahead uphill until you reach the sheepfold and Lac des Chiens.

(2) Follow the track on the left that climbs straight up the slope. It turns into a path at an altitude of around 2,100 metres. You will reach a fork at a yellow signpost and a small lake.

(3) Turn left towards Col Bousson. After about 100 metres, follow the path on the right that climbs and goes around the hill to reach a pass.

(4) Continue north-northeast and cross over to the Italian side.

(5) Leave a marshy area and a small lake on your right and continue north-east. Further on, the path gives way to a track, which you should follow. Descend to the Mautino refuge.

(6) Below the refuge, leave the tracks and take the path heading north towards the forest. Keep left at the following intersections, following the signs for "Lago della Capra" and "Lago Foiron" (wooden signs) until you reach the junction with the path you will take on the way back.

(7) Continue straight ahead, then turn left after about 100 metres. You will reach Lago della Capra, then Lago Foiron.

(8) Take the footbridge and the path that climbs up to the left.

(9) Continue along the track on the left, leave the wooded area and arrive above the hamlet of Colle Bercia.

(10) Take the track on the right, then continue left to cross the hamlet. The track goes around the houses on the left as it descends.

(11) Leave the track and take the path on the right, which joins another track a few dozen metres further on. Turn right, find a more clearly marked track and follow it, turning right.

(12) At the hairpin bend, leave the track and take a path on the right leading to Rocca Remolon, a rock climbing spot overlooking the valley.

(13) Retrace your steps and follow the path on the left that enters the forest and returns to Lago Foiron. You will come out onto the uphill path.

(9) Continue on the left to find the footbridge you crossed on the way there.

(8) Go straight ahead on the path that crosses the pine trees heading south-southeast. Return to the outward route and follow it for about 100 metres.

(7) Leave it by taking a path on the left that descends straight down the slope. At the next intersection, follow the path on the right, then take another path that descends to the left and joins a crossroads.

(14) Take the path on the right that goes uphill. At the edge of the forest, you will see Lago Nero below you on your right. Follow the track and a shortcut path. This will take you to a crossroads.

(15) Turn left onto the path leading to the sheepfold, which you leave on your right. Continue along a path at the edge of the forest that climbs up into the mountain pasture and fades away a little. Head for the pass to the south at 2161 m, which marks the French-Italian border.

(16) Cross into France and you will soon reach a trail junction. Continue straight ahead (south-west) to follow the trail down into the valley, where you can see the car park in the distance.

(17) At Cabot, follow the track on the right that joins the hamlet of Le Bourget, then the path you took at the start. Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Water sources at Colle Bercia, in the hamlet of Le Bourget.

The village of Cervières, a highlight of Briançon's heritage.