Circular route via the Cols d’Aulne, de Mange and de Gières

Start from the small pass car park at the bottom of the village of La Cluse on the D937 (in the hamlet of Dévoluy, before the Col du Festre when coming from Veynes or Gap).

Yellow^PR® markings

(S/E) Take the^GR® 94 via the Route Forestière de la Forêt d'Aune to the bridge crossing the Béoux.

(1) Cross the bridge to the left then continue along the track which winds its way up to the south-south-west. After the hairpin bend to the left, ignore the shortcut through the woods and take the track straight ahead, which is less steep (we’ll use this shortcut on the way back). After a hairpin bend to the right, continue south-west.

(2) Ignore the other end of the shortcut on the right (to be taken on the return journey) and continue along the track for about a hundred metres, until you reach the^first junction towards Boudelle.

(3) Leave the return path on your left and continue along the track to the right, heading west, still on the Route Forestière de la forêt d'Aulne. Keep heading in this direction until the^second junction for Boudelle, at a right-hand bend in the track.

(4) Leave the Boudelle path on your right and take the track opposite, heading south-south-west, which climbs towards the Col d'Aulne. After a 90° right-hand bend, the track begins a wide left-hand curve.

(5) Before the large bend, follow the yellow^PR® sign (south-southeast), which clearly indicates “turn left”, and follow this path straight on all the way to the Col d’Aulne.

(6) At the Col d'Aulne, enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view. Then head due south to reach, just above the Font Bidouine stream (left bank), the path to follow to the spring (watering hole).

(7) At the drinking trough, go round the spring on the left, heading south-southeast to reach the Côtes du Fau, then follow the small path that runs alongside a fence to Le Playne.

(8) At Le Playne, past two ancient ruins, continue eastwards towards the Col des Manges.

(9) At the Col des Manges, a windy pass with winds coming from the north and a fine view of the Crête du Berger, head due north (into the wind) to cross the plateau for about 600 m towards the Col des Gières.

(10) At the Col des Gières, turn left to begin the descent back down. The path, after a wide right-hand bend, heads north. At the end, after the barriers (open in winter), there is a viewpoint overlooking the village of La Cluse below.

(11) Continue west-south-west down the track to rejoin the Route Forestière de la forêt d'Aulne, which you used on the way out.

(3) At the junction, turn right to find, about 100 m further on, the shortcut to the left.

(2) Take the very pleasant downhill shortcut through the woods, then, after rejoining the track taken on the way out, follow it in the opposite direction and cross the bridge again.

(1) Continue along the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey, turning right and then straight on until you reach the car park at the small pass (S/E).

This direction is recommended for a snowshoe route as the north-facing slope at the end of the approach to the Col d'Aulne can be icy and steep, making it dangerous on the descent.

From the Col d’Aulne, a panoramic view (including the Montagne de Garnesier), then on the descent towards La Playne via Souchière

From La Playne on the descent, views of Le Chauvet to the north, of the Aurouze mountain, including the Crête des Bergers which overlooks La Cluse to the east, and then of the houses of Boudelle.