Cime de la Plate and Lacs de la Braissette

The hike starts opposite the Chapelle Saint-Louis in Bayasse at the foot of the Col de la Cayolle on the D902. Coming from the north and Barcelonnette, go up the Gorges du Bachelard. Coming from the south and Nice, cross the Col de la Cayolle. There is a fairly large car park at the junction for Bayasse, and only three spaces available opposite the Chapelle Saint-Louis. There is a small fountain next to the chapel.

(S/E) Opposite the chapel, to the left of the small car park, take the path below (GR®56) towards Col de la Cayolle. Head south, following the course of the stream.

(1) As you approach the footbridge over the stream, leave the GR® and take the path on the left between the trees that climbs up into the Ravin de Sanguinerette, heading south-east. Continue until you reach the Cabane de l'Adroit du Pin.

(2) Pass it and continue climbing until you cross the stream.

(3) Caution: depending on the flow, it may not be possible to cross without getting your feet wet. In this case, use the makeshift bridge on the left, although the branches may be slippery. Continue through the larch forest until you reach a flat area where the Cabane de Sanguinière is located, near a lake that is dry in summer. You can also go around the lake on the left.

(4) Pass in front of the hut, in case you want to talk to the shepherd, and climb up to the large meadow. The ravine is surrounded by mountains and is shaped like a cirque, with the path following the successive levels. Three large cairns indicate the direction to follow, then there are no more. Keep going in this direction for a short climb, choosing the places where there are the fewest stones. Return to the stream and follow it to a new plateau with a dry lake and a sheep pen.

(5) Continue eastwards with the Col de la Braïssa in the centre of the cirque in your sights; the path is visible intermittently. Continue until you come to a path clearly marked by two rows of stones.

(6) Turn left and follow this path which winds along the western flank of the Tête de la Clape; after a few final hairpin bends, you will reach the Col de Cime Plate.

(7) Leave the path and turn left onto the steep sandy slope until you reach a ledge that allows you to bypass the rock mass on the right, up to the summit of the Cime de la Plate.

(8) Continue west, then north-west and north, along the vast sloping plateau to the Baisse de la Plate.

(9) Head right towards the east; the site overlooks the upper Lac de la Braissette. Reach it at your leisure, descending between the rocks on the grassy slope, then pass the lower Lac de la Braissette to reach its spillway.

(10) It is then possible to cross the rocky outcrops and join the path visible on the right, which leads to the Col de la Mouttière at the foot of the Cime de la Bonette. Take the "shortcut" through the Vallon de la Braissette and pass to the left of the torrent, where the meadow has the fewest stones, until it narrows, with the Cime de la Bonette in sight.

(11) The stream then plunges into the Mouttière ravine heading north-west. Keep to the left. Notice below you an old green sheep pen and a metal shelter. Follow this direction through the grass until you reach the track above the Cabane de la Mouttière.

(12) Continue left towards the west on the GR® trail, which follows this difficult and dusty rocky track with a signposted shortcut. Keep following the GR® trail. Further on, cross the hamlet of Bayasse, pass in front of the Refuge-Hôtel de Bayasse and return to the car park (S/E).

This hike crosses a summer grazing area from (4) to (10). The shepherd does not have any guard dogs.

High-top shoes and walking sticks are strongly recommended.

Ibex near the Col de Cime Plate.

From the Cime de la Plate, 360° view.