Col de la Pare walks

A long, cool downhill walk through the larch forest, passing through Grand-Clos, where the water reservoir transforms into a mirror-like lake. This walk is a downhill route from the top of the Pic Vert chairlift to the 1650 resort (L’Épervière car park).

A very pleasant circular above Les Orres resort, allowing you to discover a beautiful lake, Sainte-Marguerite, and the springs that feed Les Orres, named Jerusalem.

A good walk to work up an appetite! Set off from Pra Loup to the La Dalle en Pente restaurant and return via the Chappe chairlift.

A lovely hike starting from Super Sauze. The route via the north face of the Chapeau de Gendarme is not recommended for children; the east face is preferable.

Return to the starting point in Larche via theGRP® de la Frontière Fortifiée.

First stage around the Chambeyron Mountain Range which, after a steady climb, takes you to the shelter with the same name. You'll end up in a breath-taking setting, at the foot of Brec de Chambeyron.

Reaching over 3000 metres in altitude, Aiguilles de Chambeyron and Brec de Chambeyron form an impressive mountain range halfway between Queyras and the Moncantour. This hike offers a trek with no techincal difficulty, with passes over 2700 m in altitude and a summit of over 3000 m. Set in an outstanding landscape and for the most part within a high mountain setting.

This sixteenth stage completes the crossing of the Chambeyron Massif and, after Larche, enters the Mercantour Massif. From Les Granges de Fouillouse, the GR®5 follows the Riou de Fouillouse upstream, passing the ruins of Fort de Plate Lombarde, then, via the Plate Lombarde valley, reaches the Col du Vallonnet. It then descends to Lac du Vallonnet Inférieur, where it heads due south to join an old military road that climbs towards the Viraysse barracks. From there, the GR®5 crosses the Col de Mallemort and descends to the hamlet of Larche. The route follows the Ubayette, then crosses it and reaches the Pont Rouge car park, which marks the entrance to the Mercantour National Park. It then heads due south, climbing to Lac du Lauzanier, then on to Lac de Derrière la Croix, before reaching the Pas de la Cavale. The descent starts off quite steep but then becomes gentler. After the Salse Morene plateau, the path climbs the Col des Fourches and, from the Camp des Fourches, reaches the hamlet of Bousiéyas.

The third stage is very difficult due to its length of nearly 26 km, with a few technical sections – particularly when carrying a rucksack – which will put your body to the test. This is why I have classified this stage as ‘very difficult’. However, this stage is one of the most beautiful on this route: wild, technical, with stunning panoramic views. You’ll cross pastures, wooded areas, mountain pastures and very rocky high-mountain sections between the two highest peaks of the Mercantour: Mont Pelat (3,051 m) and Le Cimet (3,020 m). You’ll be crossing the northern part of the Mercantour National Park. Allow between 8 and 10 hours for this challenging stage.

This stage will take you to the pretty Vallon de la Montagnette, then on to the Col des Monges, which offers a stunning view of the Southern Alps.