Col du Merdaret

Thanks for the great hike. The view from the ridges is amazing. I pushed on to Grand Richer, which took an extra hour there and back. The way back is very difficult to find because three quarters of it is hidden under vegetation. At Cul de Pet, it's not signposted at all and, in fact, no one goes there. So I followed my GPS until I found the forest path. As for the starting point, you can park near point 2, but crossing the forest is really nice. Enjoy your hikes, everyone. Christian

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Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to say, it's a lovely walk.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We got completely lost between points 6 and 7. There were no trails except for the path made by the cows.
Luckily we had GPS.

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Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the hike is quite steep but relatively easy to follow. However, after Lake Léatel, there are no more markings and the trail is not easy to find. Fortunately, we had GPS, otherwise we would have been searching for a while. Apart from that, it was a beautiful hike, but the descent is also quite steep.

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Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I opted for a short version: starting on the trail at No. 3 in the description. This means the hike can be done in half a day (risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon). Beautiful passages through a very diverse forest (not just conifers!) and the ridge on the mountain pasture offers a beautiful view of the Haut Bréda valley and the Belle Etoile. The Grand Rocher is half an hour away for those who have the time and want to make the effort.
As we had been warned, the descent to Lake Léatel is indeed a little unpredictable; the less frequented path is not visible everywhere. Although the slope is steep, we did not notice any really dangerous passages. However, it would be prudent not to make this descent in bad weather (rain or fog), which could make these passages uncertain and slippery.
Apart from these reservations, it was a beautiful, very peaceful hike (we only met two people in the morning)... to be repeated.

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unable to locate the starting point

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An original route, partially without a trail (just a few tracks...) or markings, which we did in reverse. Therefore, avoid without GPS.
Please note that due to forestry work carried out in recent weeks, the trail is impassable up to point 2. You must therefore continue by car to the end of the tarmac road and reach this point by following the track.

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Date of your route : May 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a very beautiful hike with breathtaking views.
The only problem, as mentioned in other reviews, is that it is very difficult to find the path from point 7.
As a result, we ended up descending on cattle tracks and had a lot of trouble finding the forest road.
The yellow markings are missing where they are needed. I think they really need to be added, both on the way there and on the way back.
Perhaps we should ask the Theys town hall?
It's so much more enjoyable to hike with good signposting. It doesn't detract from the walk.
Take an IGN map, because there isn't always a signal up there, and in the sunshine it's difficult to read your phone!
There you go!

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Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did the route in reverse (I had done the hike in the right direction in 2020, but at the summit there was fog and no visibility, and at point 6 I couldn't find the path to point 7). Despite everything, I used GPS from point 3 to point 6. After that, there were no problems.
Beautiful view at the summit. A hike worth doing.

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Date of your route : Aug 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, the starting point is a bit tricky, but fortunately the yellow trail regularly cuts across the switchbacks. The slope is quite steep at the start.
Shady route except at the summit, of course.

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Sorry for your disappointment on section 6-7, which is indeed unmarked.
As you can see on the IGN map, my GPS track follows a black dotted line on the IGN map. I had searched around a bit myself, and another person who had done the hike also confirmed that they had had to fumble around a bit in this area. For my part, at the time of the walk, the two lakes marked on the IGN map were there, which reassured me that I was on the right track.
If I have the opportunity to go back there, I will see if I can find a way to describe how to navigate the first few hundred metres after leaving the ridge. For my part, I hadn't seen the route from point 1849, which is why my route is 200m south of this point.

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Date of your route : Jul 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Good directions up to Cul de Pet. The route between 6 and 7 does not correspond to any path; we were unable to find it despite using a map and GPS. We returned via the same route we took on the way there, very disappointed.
Beautiful scenery and few people.

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Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a stunning view once you reach the pass.
Be careful, however, between markers 6 and 7, it is not easy to find/stay on the path, especially with the few patches of snow that were still there today.

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