Country:
City:
Coming from Barcelonnette via the D902, follow signs for “Col de la Cayolle”, which are clearly marked on the road signs. At the pass, there’s a large car park.
On that particular day, the large car park was full, so we turned back and parked further down the road at the side of the carriageway.
(S/E) Walk up towards the Col de la Petite Cayolle for a few dozen metres, then take the path on the right (GR®®56BTour du Haut Verdon). Take a good look around you, as you’re being watched. Indeed, there are marmots everywhere in this lovely meadow, which we’ll follow for about 2,000 metres to pass close to a first (unnamed) lake.
(1) From there, tackle the climb up a scree slope with some lovely ledge sections.
(2) Cross the Col de la Petite Cayolle to reach Lac de la Petite Cayolle.
Arriving at the lake around midday, you can do as we did and have lunch on the snowfield below – it’s superb. We spotted a marmot emerging from under the ice. That creature certainly isn’t cold...
(3) From the lake, head back up the path to the pass.
(2) Take the path on the right which passes beneath the Sommet des Garrets, rising to 2,822 m, and you’ll easily reach Lac des Garrets 900 m further on.
(4) Look to your left – if you’re lucky, you might spot some chamois on the ridge.
To spice up the walk a bit, we went along the ridges to the right of the lake, but there’s a good path to the left as well.
After a short climb, head down towards the “Pas du Lausson”.
(5) Take the path on the left which leads down and takes you back to the car park where you started.
Before heading down, if you continue along this same path for about 250 metres towards the Montagne de l’Avalanche, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of Lac d’Allos and pass a stone marker dating from 1823, which formerly marked the border between France and the Kingdom of Sardinia.
(6) When you reach the edge of the road, stay on the path that runs to the left of the last small lake.
All that remains is to find your car (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Very difficult 
