Puy des Bans – Small Pass – Combe la Mayt circular loop

Park in the Fontaine du Courtil car park.
Most of the route is signposted in yellow.

(S/E) Follow the path heading south-west as you leave Le Courtil (Chemin des Lausettes). Join the D17.

(1) Keep to the right onto the path which heads north, running alongside La Combette. Begin the descent, passing close to the Ruins of Malmort. Continue on to reach a hairpin bend on the D117.

(3) Cross it and continue the descent until you reach La Souloise.

(4) Cross the river – there are a few steps and footbridges to help you – and climb up to the other bank. You’ll soon reach a sinkhole popular with cavers. Continue climbing, then head up past the Puy des Bans on the right. The slope becomes steeper for a few hundred metres; you can use the cable and steps to help you here.
Carry on due east to reach the village of Le Collet, which is located at a small pass.

(5) Turn right, just past the lodge, onto the Chemin des Pommiers, and head down to a junction with a wide path.

(6) Turn left to join the road,

(7) Turn right onto the road and follow it until you reach the entrance to the Combe de Mayt.

(8) Leave the road and keep left onto the^GR®®. Climb up the Combe de Mayt. Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach the summit at a three-way junction at a place called Pra Blaî.

(9) Take the wide path on the right, towards the Gorges du Rif, following the yellow markings. Walk past the Roche Longue site, taking the path on the right. Pass the climbing site and reach the junction with the D17, at the Étroits car park.

(10) From there, turn right, walk alongside the Via Ferrata des Étroits and cross the Pont de Giers. Immediately afterwards, turn right to reach the Fontaine du Courtil car park (S/E).

Sturdy footwear required.
Accommodation available (lodges) in Le Collet and Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoluy.
Water is available at the start and in the village of Le Collet, where the fountain is situated near the bakery and the chapel.

(S/E) Don’t miss the fountain and the chapel
- ‘Interstellaire du Dévoluy’ brasserie in Le Courtil, just to quench your thirst a little...
Between (2 and 3) Le Puy des Bans for caving.
Between (5 and 6) The climbing site, along the Rif. This isn’t something you can just turn up to; equipment is essential.
(10) The Via Ferrata des Étroits. Please note: special equipment is essential. As you follow the road, you’ll get a lovely view of it which might just whet your appetite.
Between (6 and S/E) The cairn at the Pont de Giers car park.
The village of Saint-Étienne-en-Dévoluy.