Circular Boules and Chalufy Huts Loop

At Thorame-Basse, leave the RD2 and take the RD72 towards La Valette. When you reach the end of the road, do not drive up into the village but park immediately after crossing the Pont de l’Issole.

(S/E) From the car park, look for the track heading due north, following the Issole upstream towards the Refuge de Boules. You’ll come to a ford.

(1) Cross the Issole as best you can and continue along the track through the forest, keeping a close eye on the direction towards Boules until you reach the next junction.

(2) Turn right and continue along the track to the next junction.

(3) Leave the track, turn right onto the footpath, cross a stream, then climb up to the picturesque Cabane de Boules.

(4) Continue along the path which climbs up the mountainside to the Barre de Boules.

(5) At this junction, turn left for a round trip to the Col de Vachière or Col de Chalufy.

(6) Return to the junction at the Barre de Boules.

(5) Carry on straight ahead, cross a ravine and climb up to the Col de Colle Meyère. Head for the Cabane de Colle Méyère.

(7) Follow the path down to the Cabane de Chalufy.

(8) Continue along the path which descends, then runs along the hillside to an inconspicuous crossroads.

(9) Do not continue straight on, as this path leads to the Cabane des Abéourons; instead, take the path on the right, descend, then climb back up. Stay alert and follow the cairns or the yellow markings carefully. If, at times, you find yourself on a tractor track, it doesn’t matter, as it also leads to the Col de la Plaine de Jassaud.

(10) Then turn right onto the GRP® marked in yellow and red, which descends through the Ravin de Raichas, sometimes as a footpath and sometimes as a track. Pass through a scree slope, then further down, when the village of La Valette comes into view, look out for a crossroads.

(11) Leave the GRP® and take the small, level path on the right, marked with the GRP®’s Yellow Cross and Red Cross. Follow the path as it leads into the village. Walk past the chapel, then head down the tarmac road until you reach a crossroads.

(12) Leave the road and turn right onto the GRP® path which leads down to the car park (S/E).

• Water: bring your own; otherwise, there is an intermittent spring on the path about a quarter of an hour past the Cabane de Boules. Alternatively, water is also available at the Cabane de Chalufy and in the village of La Valette.

• The Cabane de Boules is available to walkers.

• Crossing the ford (1) can be problematic if the Issole is in flood, and there is no bridge to cross to the other bank.

• Please respect the privacy of the shepherds when approaching the shepherds’ huts.

• The sheep farming activity along this walk requires you to behave appropriately towards the flocks.

• From the start (S/E) to the Col de la Plaine de Jassaud (10), follow the yellow PR® markings. From (10) to (11), follow the yellow and red GRP® markings.

• The Cabane de Boules ( 4).

• The Chalufy Oratory, visible beside the path near the Chalufy Hut (8).

• The village of La Valette.