Country:
City:
There are a few parking spaces at the start of the track leading up to the Oratoire Notre-Dame du Berceau. Please take care not to block the access route, which the shepherd also uses to reach his hut!
(S/E) Take the track which, after two hairpin bends, leads to the Oratory of Notre-Dame du Berceau and then to the heritage site (a circular area retracing the life and trades of days gone by) on the banks of the Rouchas Frach Canal.
(1) When you reach the canal, at the signpost ‘Oratoire N-D du Berceau, alt 2235 m’, turn right, heading east towards the Col Agnel. The path follows an old canal, which has been partially filled in. Walk for about 1 km until you reach the oratory in memory of General Pellegrin, situated to the right of the path.
(2) Please note: there is a wetland area around the canal. To preserve this natural environment, the path bypasses the area via the higher ground. Look out for and follow the wooden posts with yellow tops. Shortly after the three statues, the path joins the Col Agnel road.
(3) Cross the road, heading slightly uphill, then look out for the path that descends towards the Aigue Agnelle. This path is regularly signposted with yellow-topped stakes or yellow markings.
(4) After about 200 m, the path appears to fork. Stay on the better-marked path which climbs to the right, south-east, moving slightly away from the Aigue Agnelle. Follow it to the Refuge d’Agnel.
(5) Go round it to the east, cross the bend and head north-west to the ruins of the old refuge.
(6) The return journey follows the same route as the outward journey to reach your vehicle at (S/E).
At the end of the season, once the herds have left, it is possible to descend off-trail by staying on the south-facing slope, slightly above the D205T road, passing by Lac de Fiourent and joining the canal at road level. No signposting. Numerous paths.
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Very difficult 
