This hike is not technically difficult but is very long with some steep sections and requires good stamina.
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Park in the hikers' car park in the village of Valleraugue.
(S/E) Cross the village heading north, quickly join and follow the Sentier des Quatre Mille Marches trail, marked in yellow. Stay on this trail for a long time to reach the Mont Aigoual weather station.
(1) Continue opposite downhill on the D118, which is also theGR®60and the Equestrian Route. You will reach a crossroads at the first bend.
(2) Turn left onto the trail towards the Prat Peyrot ski resort and follow it until you reach it.
(3) Cross the road and take the path that continues opposite, which is theGR®6shared with theGR®6A. Pass a path on the right, then another on the left, continuing westwards. You will reach the Col de la Caumette.
(4) Continue left on theGR®6. Stay on this trail to exit the forest and reach a grassy ridge that descends to Camprieu. Reach a house at a place called La Croix de Fer.
(5) Take the hairpin bend to the left to return towards Lac du Bonheur. After two bends, go around a group of houses on the right at a place called l'Aubespi.
(6) Take the path on the left towards the lake, joining it at theGR®62crossroads.
(7) Take the road on the left along the lake, follow the Ruisseau du Bonheur to reach the Baraque Vieille crossroads.
(8) Leave the track leading to the ruins of the Abbaye du Bonheur on your left and follow the path on the right to the Col de la Serreyrède, where you will find the Maison de l'Aigoual and a fountain where you can refill your water bottles.
(9) Cross the road heading south towards a house, then climb straight up to reach the Col de l'Espérou.
(10) Turn left to quickly reach the village of Espérou.
(11) At the Espérou roundabout, cross opposite towards the Hôtel du Parc, staying on the road that climbs between the houses (D548A). You will reach the forest shortly before the junction with the D548.
(12) Leave the road and take the path on the right that runs alongside the forest. This path is marked by severalGR® trails(7, 60, 66 and 71). Continue until you reach a junction where these GR® trails separate.
(13) Turn left to stay onGR® 7 and 60. Continue along the almost flat path to reach the Col de Montals.
(14) Leave theGR®7here and continue straight ahead on theGR®60towards the Col de la Lusette. Leave the track that leads to this pass on your left and stay on theGR® to join the D329.
(15) Take it on the right for about 300 metres and join the Drovers' Road crossroads.
(16) Turn right here to rejoin the D329 further ahead.
(17) Leave theGR®60here and turn left onto theGR®62C. Descend, staying on the ridge until you reach the crossroads serving a sheepfold.
(18) Turn left into the forest and take the path that descends to Valleraugue. You will then come to a fork where both paths lead to the village.
(19) Take the right-hand path, which is a little steep but more direct. Follow this path downhill and you will arrive directly at the hikers' car park in Valleraugue (S/E).
), but not too steep. Between this climb and the final descent, it's pure bliss, with magnificent landscapes alternating between unobstructed views and wide, shaded paths. It's very easy to camp at Lac du Bonheur in a designated area on the other side of the lake.
Visorando member
Easy 
Difficult 
Moderate 
