Clot des Étables via the ridges from the Col du Fanget

Park in one of the car parks at Col du Fanget.

(S/E) Set off along the Crête et Bois de Méarzes snowshoe trail, which quickly leads to a crossroads.

(1) Climb up to the right to reach the foot of the Terres Noires. Avoid them by turning left to enter the forest.
Go behind the ridge before rejoining it on the right. Continue up a steeper climb. You will reach the junction of the snowshoe trail and the ridge trail.

(2) Leave the snowshoe trail that branches off to the left and continue along the ridge, following the yellow markings.
Be careful here: from this point to the viewpoint mentioned, the climb becomes steep. Avoid this area in freezing weather. Enjoy a beautiful unobstructed view from east to west.

(3) Continue through the forest on the ridge until you reach a clearing, then cross it, staying on the upper part. You will then come to a crossroads.

(4) Climb up to the right into the woods until you reach the highest point of the hike. You will come out onto a clear hilltop offering beautiful panoramic views.

(5) Retrace your steps back to the clearing.

(4) Descend to the right towards the south-east. Follow two large hairpin bends to reach another clearing. Continue the descent to the Charcherie countryside.

(6) Turn left onto a wide path until you reach a large track after crossing the Mairague Ravine.

(7) Turn left onto this track. This track is used for forestry work and is cleared of snow in winter. Expect alternating sections of well-packed snow, icy snow and mud at the end of the season. Continue to the Fissac rest area.

(8) Stay on this track. Continue and, after a few bends, you will first reach the Fontaine marker and then a Y-junction at a place called Les Méarzes.

(9) Leave the main track and turn left onto a wide path on the snowshoe route. You will then come back to the initial crossroads you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right and, a few metres further on, you will reach the Col du Fanget car park (S/E).

The return journey is less exposed to the sun, so there is much more snow.
Be careful: just before (3) there is a steep slope that can be slippery.
If the return route seems monotonous, there is an alternative route that takes you back up to the ridge: from (8), climb up to the left, then at the next intersection, turn right to reach point 1596. This adds to the elevation gain: 429m instead of 346m and slightly shortens the route: 9.7km instead of 10.1km.

Good to know:
Map of the Fanget nature reserve
There is a webcam.