Gars–Amirat–Briançonnet circular loop

The walk starts from the village of Gars, which you reach by heading up the Estéron valley towards Collongues and then Briançonnet. You should park in the small car park at the entrance to the village. However, if there are no spaces available there, there is another, larger car park situated below the village, near the river.

(S/E) From the car park at the entrance to the village, head towards the centre, then follow the signs for Chapelle Saint-Jeannet/Les Mujouls (marker 40). Start with a fairly steep but short climb. Follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®} 510. You’ll reach the Chapelle Saint-Jeannet crossroads at marker 41.

(1) Turn left towards Collongues, continuing to follow the red and white markings. Proceed along a track which turns into a footpath after crossing the road for the first time. You’ll rejoin the road at marker 42. Continue towards the Chapelle Saint-Jeannet.

At a green gate, leave the road and take a small path leading off to the right into the forest. A red and white marker indicates this route, which cuts across the final bend in the Gars road. At the road junction, look out for marker 43.

(2) Here, there are two options:
- As shown on the map and described below, continue towards Collongues, staying on the GR^®. Keep to the edge of the Vallon de Cressonnière stream. You will reach marker 54.
- Head for the point (7) by following the signs for the Oratoire Notre Dame d’Amirat.

(3) Turn left here, leaving the^GR® to take a well-marked path signposted in yellow, and begin the climb to reach a road at marker 50 just before the hamlet of Les Agots.

(4) Follow this road, turning right towards the village of Amirat. You’ll reach marker 51 just after a road bridge.

(5) Turn left towards Castellet Saint-Cassien. Follow the red and white markers, this time on the^GR® 4. You’ll reach the fire tank at elevation 959 just before the power line.

(6) Take the track on the left; this allows you to avoid crossing private property located on the path a little further up.

(7) Please note: private property issue. See information in the introduction.
At the end of the track, continue to the right along the path to reach the Notre Dame d’Amirat wayside shrine at marker 44.

(8) Continue along the path which runs on from the track. Walk along a virtually level section to reach the Col du Buis at marker 46.

(9) Leave the road and turn left onto the path leading down into the forest. Cross the Vallon du Loup stream before reaching the junction at marker 39.

(10) Turn right towards Briançonnet. Cross the road at marker 38. Pass marker 37 quickly. Stay on this path, skirting the hamlet of Les Ruinas, and continue on to the junction with a road at marker 29.

(11) Turn right onto this road and follow it until you reach the village of Briançonnet at marker 20.

(12) Continue for a few metres along Rue Principale until you reach marker 21. Here, rejoin the^GR®510, turn left and follow it until you reach the car park in the village of Gars (S/E).

Between (12) and (S/E), the final section between Briançonnet and Gars follows a path that presents no real technical difficulties, but which has some very steep sections, particularly towards the end. You should therefore take care after heavy rain, as the path can be slippery.

Note on this circular route: the route described here starts from Gars, but it is perfectly possible to start from any of the other three villages. Please note, however, that if you start from Amirat, you will have to finish the walk with an uphill section – admittedly not very long, but quite steep.

(5) Once you reach marker 51, you can make a round trip to the village of Amirat to have a look around. As the village is very small, this short detour shouldn’t take very long.
(12) You could also do the same here and visit Briançonnet. It’s probably possible to climb up to the village’s castle, but I couldn’t find the path leading up to it.
Of the three villages encountered on this walk, Gars is the one that deserves the most time and, in my opinion, is one you really should take the time to visit. This village is full of charm and its location at the foot of the cliff adds to its unique character.