From the Brèche de Charance to the Col de Gleize via Les Serrigues

From Gap, take the Route de l’Audet towards the Domaine de Charance. Pass the estate’s car park and continue along the Chemin des Rossis (road closed to coaches). Continue to Les Serrigues. Park in the car park, then take the path slightly below, on the left after the hamlet, next to the old Les Serrigues quarry.
Note: Gap’s public transport can take you to the Domaine de Charance car park.

(S/E) Take the path that goes round the quarry on the left. Ignore the path straight ahead and take the track that climbs to the right. Continue to the next junction, marked by the Serrigues Hautes signpost.

(1) Continue towards the Col de Guizière and the Brèche de Charance. Soon, at the next junction, keep left, heading south-west, to climb towards the pass. You’ll reach the forest fairly quickly; ignore the first junction and carry on to reach the Tour de l’Odyssée junction.

(2) Cross this path and continue climbing straight ahead towards the Pic de Charance and the Brèche to reach the foot of the rocky ridges of the Crêtes de Charance. Access the brèche via a short, easy scree slope.

(3) Turn right, along the ridge, towards the Col de Guizière (Tour de l'Odyssée). Pass a telecoms mast, then the highest point of the route, Côte Plaine. Descend the ridge, heading north-east, until you reach the Col de Guizière.

(4) Then take the left-hand path, heading north-west, to descend towards the Bois de Tavanet. After a good ten metres, ignore the path on the left and continue straight ahead. At the junction, ignore the path leading down to the right, continue straight ahead, and head into the forest. In this valley, the path is less visible as it is rarely used, but follow the Green Circle markings, keeping the valley floor on your right, until you reach a junction with several directions.

(5) Take the forest track to the right, which winds sharply, then head north-east to reach the Torrent de Tavanet.

(6) Continue straight ahead and cross the stream. Now follow the dual markings: orange round dots and Yellow Rectangles (PR®). Go round a small hill on the right, following a valley. You will reach a low point.

(7) Start a new climb on the left and cross several streams before reaching a Y-shaped junction at the edge of a wood.

(8) Continue straight ahead, then walk along the hillside through the forest until you reach the Col de Gleize signpost.

(9) Turn right onto the forest track that runs along the side of Mount Charance; this is the Tour de Folletière trail. Stay on this path, ignoring any branches to the right or left, and head for the junction with the path leading to the Col de Côte Gelée.

(10) Ignore this path, continue straight ahead, and return to the initial junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn left and, following the route you took on the way out in the opposite direction, return to the Serrigues car park (S/E).

No water sources along the route. Picnic tables and campfire sites at Col de Gleize.
Between (3) and (4): take care on the ridge on windy days.
Don’t forget your binoculars to admire the view.

Shorter alternative route:
(4) to Col de Guizière: turn right onto the path leading down towards Les Serrigues and the Tour de Guizière, to reach (1) and then the car park at the start (S/E)..

(3) The Crête de Charance offers a beautiful view over Gap towards Céüse, the Dévoluy, the Pic de Gleize, the Vieux Chaillol, the Ubaye and the Montagne de la Blanche.
(9) The view from the Col de Gleize opens up to a better vista of the Écrins peaks.