The route starts from the village of Gourbit. From this village, take the road heading due south.
This is a dead-end road leading to a very small car park, which quickly fills up (S/E).
By 8.30am, it was already full and we had to backtrack down the narrow path.
Favour the parking area on the left as you go up, near Pruniès, or park in Gourbit.
Departure point:
We set off on the right-hand side to climb straight up through the forest to the lake, following the Yellow markings.
No questions asked, you have to climb non-stop through the forest, keeping your eyes peeled and following the yellow markings on the stones and trees.
Many relatively important paths and streams are not shown on the map (see practical information).
At around 1260m, you'll come to a junction with a wide forest track, giving you a chance to take a breather after climbing through the forest.
(1) Continue for 500m on this wide track, then,
(2) Resume your ascent by turning right at the signpost in the hairpin bend formed by this wide track. The climb is steep on a ridge line for 800m, then you come to a small clearing.
(Take 2 minutes to look at the Orri on your right.) The lake is not far off.
(3) Continue for another 500m on the well-marked track that winds around the grassy hillside, heading south-west.
You'll come across the 2 huts and the lake dominated by Bassibié.
There was still a little snow on the summits in mid-May, but no longer on the route.
(4) After enjoying the scenery, skirt the lake to the left and then
(5) take the track heading south-east towards the Roc de Querquéou.
(6) You pass below the Pla de Madame and 1.5km later,
(7) you come to the Roc de Querquéou and its huge boulders, which make you wonder how they got there.
This is the highest point of the hike, and you won't be alone here.
From here, you can see the Col de Lastris in the distance, the crossing point for the return journey.
The descent to the Col de Lastris lasts 2km and takes you back to the GRP® du Tour du Pic des Trois Seigneurs at the Col de Lastris.
(8) At the pass, there are few markings, but simply take the track entering the forest on the left, heading due north, and you'll find red and yellow markings that you'll follow from then on.
(9) Again, there are several unmarked tracks on the map, so just follow the markings on the trees and stones.
In the clearing, past the old mine, you'll see the ruins of a piece of mechanical equipment.
(10) From here, the descent is a bit tedious and long. Sometimes the various small streams have taken the place of paths.
At the end of this descent, you come to the miniature car park (S/E) !