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From Briançon, head towards Villar-Saint-Pancrace to the south of the town. Head towards the mountain centre and turn left onto the Route des Ayes (D236T), which turns into a track leading towards the hamlet of Les Ayes.
At the junction and signposts, turn right towards the hamlet of Mélézin. At the next junction, turn right again. Pass Clot Des Prés and the Chalets des Prés du Vallon, then park at the side of the road at Mélézin. The track is quite long.
A high-clearance crossover-type vehicle is recommended, although it is possible with a standard car.
(S/E) At the end of the hamlet, head up the pastoral lane to the south. At around 2100m, where the lane ends, leave it and take the signposted Rose path on your left.
At around 2,136m, at the Y-junction, head up to the left. At around 2,183m, turn left again. You’ll reach a wide, flat area where the trail becomes difficult to follow. Facing the hut, head left, rejoin the well-marked path, then climb up the slope beneath the Crête du Petit Puy.
At the Plan Vallon signpost, descend into the valley to go round the grassy hill on the left, which hides the lake. Follow a path up to the right at the foot of the hill. Reach the small, often dry lake of Plan Vallon to the south-west.
(1) Cross the flat area in this direction (south-west) then climb towards the small pass through the grassy terraces until you reach the Crête de Coste Rousse.
(2) Follow it northwards to the right. Go round the rock outcrop to the left via a short traverse followed by a gentle climb. Once past it, climb up the second grassy gully to the right. Reach the highest point of the ridge, marked by a cairn.
(3) Follow the route taken on the way up to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
