Country:
City:
Coming from Barcelonnette on the D902, follow the signs for "Col de la Cayolle", which are clearly marked on the road signs. At the pass, there is a large car park.
On that day, the large car park was full, so we turned around and stopped further down the road.
(S/E) Walk back up towards the Col de la Petite Cayolle for a few dozen metres and take the path on the right (GR®®56BTour du Haut Verdon). Take a good look around you because you are being watched. There are marmots everywhere in this pretty meadow, which we will walk across for about 2000 m to pass close to the first lake (unnamed).
(1) From there, begin the climb up a scree slope with some beautiful 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, which is superb. We saw a marmot coming out from under the ice. Not cold, that creature...
(3) From the lake, follow the path back up to the pass.
(2) Take the path on the right that passes under the Sommet des Garrets, which rises to 2,822 m, and easily reach Lac des Garrets 900 m further on.
(4) Look to your left and, if you're lucky, you may see chamois on the ridge.
To spice up the walk a little, we went via the ridges to the right of the lake, but there is a good path on the left.
After a short climb, descend towards the "Pas du Lausson".
(5) Take the path on the left which descends and takes you back to the car park where you started.
Before descending, continue along this same path for about 250 metres towards Montagne de l'Avalanche, where you will have 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 passes to the left of the last small lake.
All that remains is to find your car (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Very difficult 
