Parking: cross the Chaillol resort and continue past the P1 car park along the track towards the P2 car park. Continue towards P3 and park before the cattle grid; a sign advises against parking in the cattle enclosure.
(S/E) Continue along the pastoral track on theGR®50. Shortly after passing under the Clot Chenu chairlift, you will reach an intersection: signposted Clos Chenu 1760m.
(1) From the sign, climb to the right, heading roughly north into the forest on a good path parallel to the chairlift. Veering to the left, it turns into a trail that you should follow until you reach the Les Cougniz 1860m sign.
(2) From the sign, turn sharply left, leaving the path to the Col de la Pisse on your right. Continue along the path for a long time until you reach the La Lozière 2035m sign.
(3) At the sign, leave theGR®50, which branches off to the left, and continue climbing along the path to the right. This path follows a large circular route with interesting views of geological features. A pretty balcony path leads to Col du Viallet (2,240 m).
(4) From the pass, head west, descend slightly into a small valley and arrive near a rocky ridge.
(5) Before crossing the rocky outcrop, continue through the valley and start climbing towards the ridge on the left. Various small, more or less continuous paths lead to the ridge line. Switch to the south side and locate a massive boulder below. Reach this boulder by following the faint tracks. When you reach the foot of the boulder, you will discover the double arch.
(6) Return to the crossroads.
(5) Cross the rocky ridge. Climb up the ridge starting on the left and, after a few more challenging sections, you will reach Pic de Queyrel (a stake planted in a cairn).
(7) Follow the almost horizontal ridge line to the second cairn, then descend the slope, following the south-east ridge more or less closely.
Note: this short distance has led to the hike being classified as "Very Difficult": the slope is steep, the paths are poorly marked, and the sloping rock slabs can be slippery.
Two-thirds of the way down, there is a small flat area where you can take a break. Then continue the descent to the Col de l'Escalier (2,167m), which is visible from the top of the ridge.
(8) From the pass, take a good path on the left for a long descent to the Merdarel crossroads (1,860m). Continue for 200m to Rocher Roux (1,840m).
(9) Here, you will rejoin theGR® 50. Follow it to the left along a series of flat sections and small climbs to the Champ Fourier signpost (1900m).
(10) At the sign, take the path that descends to the right to continue on theGR®. A beautiful balcony trail and a short climb through the forest will take you back to the crossroads at the Lozière sign.
(3) Turn right and follow the route from the start of the route to return to the car park (S/E).