Col des Tourettes

Start from the Muandes car park at the bottom of the Rabioux valley

(S/E) Set off along the track that starts at the entrance to the car park (or the path at the far end of the car park) towards the Charençons Lodge. Follow the track as it climbs gently up the Rabioux valley.

(1) Note the view of the Pisse waterfall on your right and continue due west along the track.

(2) Pass the Charençons Lodge and continue along the track, which winds its way up through a few hairpin bends to cross the Torrent de la Lauze. Further on, at a junction, ignore the track heading uphill to the left and follow the one straight ahead, which descends slightly. You’ll reach the Chalets du Serre.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the well-marked path to the pass, ignoring the steeper path branching off to the left.

(4) Cross the first footbridge over the Rabioux. The climb is steep and steady until you reach the Torrent de la Combe des Ruines and a wooden footbridge.

(5) Continue ascending diagonally (west-south-west) through woodland and then across meadows to the Dent stream, which provides a welcome supply of cool water.

(6) Take a sharp right-hand bend and continue traversing north-east.

(7) After crossing a stream (the last water source), the going gets tougher: navigate some steep switchbacks. The final ascent over scree is arduous but fairly short, leading to the pass, where the views are superb on both sides.

(8) The return journey follows the same route as the ascent back to the car park (S/E).

There are numerous water sources.

You are hiking in the heart of the Écrins National Park.

The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, boasting natural, cultural and scenic heritage of a rare kind. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue-white-red flags, within which regulations must be observed. Please familiarise yourself with these regulations when planning your hike, to help preserve this shared heritage, at https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.

At (1), there is the option of a 15-minute round-trip walk northwards to get closer to the waterfall.