Clot des Étables via the ridges from the Col du Fanget

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

(S/E) Set off along the Crête et Bois de Méarzes snowshoe trail; you’ll very quickly reach a crossroads of tracks.

(1) Head up to the right to reach the foot of the Terres Noires. Bypass them by turning left into the forest.
Go round the back of the ridge before rejoining it on the right. Continue up a steeper slope. Reach the junction of the snowshoe trail and the ridge path.

(2) Leave the snowshoe trail, which heads off to the left, and continue along the ridge, following the yellow markings.
Take care here: from this point onwards and up to the viewpoint mentioned, the climb becomes steep. Avoid this area in icy conditions. Enjoy a beautiful, unobstructed view from east to west.

(3) Continue through the woodland along the ridge until you reach a clearing; cross it, keeping to the higher ground. You will then come to a crossroads of paths.

(4) Head up to the right through the woods until you reach the highest point of the walk. You’ll emerge onto a small, open hillock offering beautiful panoramic views.

(5) Retrace your steps back to the clearing.

(4) Head down to the right, heading south-east. After two large hairpin bends, you’ll reach another clearing. Continue the descent to the Charcherie countryside.

(6) Turn left onto a wide path until, after crossing the Ravin du Mairague, you reach a main track.

(7) Turn left onto this track. This track is used for forestry operations and is cleared of snow in winter. You’ll alternate between sections of well-trodden snow, icy snow and, towards the end of the season, mud. Continue to the Fissac rest area.

(8) Keep this track straight ahead. Continue along it, and after a few bends, you’ll first reach the ‘La Fontaine’ marker and then a Y-junction at a place called Les Méarzes.

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

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

The return route is less exposed to the sun, so there is much more snow.
Please note: just before (3), there is a steep slope which can be slippery.
If the return route seems monotonous, there is an alternative route that takes you back up onto the ridge: from the (8), head up to the left, then at the next junction 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 outdoor recreation area
There is a webcam