A circular route via the Col du Chardonnet and Col des Béraudes, starting from Fontcouverte

Park in the car park opposite the Fontcouverte campsite or just past the campsite.

(S/E) Take the road leading towards the Laval chalets until you reach a junction (public toilets).

(1) Turn left and continue along an uphill track. After two hairpin bends, you’ll reach the hamlet of Les Chalets du Queyrellin.

(2) On leaving the hamlet, take the unmarked but clearly signposted path which climbs gradually. Follow the Ruisseau du Chardonnet for a short distance until you reach it.

(3) Cross it over the flat stones and continue along its right bank. You’ll reach the dried-up Lake Chatelard. Here you’ll find the junction with the^GR®57.

(4) Turn right onto the GR®57 and follow it uphill to reach the Col du Chardonnet Sud, where you can enjoy the view of the Écrins and La Meije.

(5) Leave the^GR®57, turn right and head for the Col du Chardonnet Nord.

(6) Take care here: head left onto the very rocky slope; this route is only suitable for experienced walkers with a head for heights. See an alternative route in the practical information section.
NB: this sloping path is very unstable; a few years ago it formed part of the^GR®57, which has since been rerouted further down into the Vallon du Clot des Vaches.
Take great care on this long traverse. At the end of this long scree slope, you’ll reach the junction with the Sentier des Béraudes.

(7) Turn right here and begin the ascent; cross a section using a handrail for support before reaching the Col des Béraudes.

(8) Then begin the descent, using the handrail as you continue down. You’ll reach Lac des Béraudes and its outlet stream.

(9) Continue the descent some distance from the right bank of the stream. You’ll reach the Pont du Moutet.

(10) Cross the Clarée via the bridge and you’ll immediately reach the large car park at Laval. Follow the road for a good hundred metres to reach the junction with a footpath near the Chapelle Saint-Jacques.

(11) Turn right onto this path and head for the footbridge to cross the Clarée once more. Continue along this beautiful path, keeping to the right bank of the Clarée. You will then reach the Roche Noire chalets.

(12) Stay on this path, enter the forest and, at the bottom of the descent, join the road near the Pont du Jadis.

(13) Turn right onto the road and you’ll soon reach the junction you passed on the way out.

Follow the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction to return to the Fontcouverte car park (S/E).

Please note: between mid-July and the end of August, access is closed to private vehicles from 8.30 am; you will need to take the shuttle bus to reach the area, departing from Roubion or Névache – Ville Haute. Check with the Tourist Office for further information.
Please note: part of the route is not signposted; pay close attention to the route description and your surroundings to avoid getting lost.

Between (6) and ::7: the path is very technical; it requires suitable kit, sure-footedness, the IGN map (3535OT) and good weather. For this reason, an alternative route is suggested:
Alternative route: for those prone to vertigo or who do not feel comfortable on this type of path, this alternative route – whilst admittedly longer – is recommended. To take it: (5) keep to the left on the^GR®57and follow it to the Col de la Ponsonnière. Then turn right onto the Sentier des Béraudes to reach (7).

Partially signposted; the markings appear to have been altered in places and do not always correspond to the IGN map, sometimes due to changes in the terrain following rockfalls.
IBP difficulty rating = 142