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There are several possible starting points: the car park on the left after passing the Hôtel du Gai Soleil, the cross-country ski centre car park, or the car park closest to the track leading up to the Col de l'Aupet (raised on your right), which is the starting point for this route.
(S/E) With your back to the car park (the closest to the start), take the faintly marked path climbing westwards. 300 m higher up, you will find the wide main path.
(1) Follow it for about 500 m until you reach a very clear crossroads at altitude 1190.
(2) Continue climbing north on the right-hand trail. The slope remains steep, sometimes sloping but nevertheless steady. Several more or less marked paths can be used to reach the Combe de Chasel, but I recommend staying on the main one. Gradually leave the forest as you approach the Col de l'Aupet.
(3) Once you reach Col de l'Aupet, the environment changes in this eponymous mountain and you follow a well-marked path, lined with rocks and sometimes winding sharply, to Pas de la Selle. During this climb, ibex are often visible on the rocky ridges above you, so be careful.
(4) Your ascent ends at Pas de la Selle, where another change of scenery awaits you. Until you reach the viewpoint overlooking the Ravin de Peyre Rouge (about 1.5 km further on), you will find yourself in a hilly, desert-like and essentially mineral environment where vegetation is scarce. Once again, there are plenty of tracks to follow, and the most obvious one is often the best. In this regard, the Grand Veymont and its Aiguillette, facing you due north, are excellent landmarks.
The last part of the climb to the Peyre Rouge viewpoint is a round trip.
(5) After admiring the Ravins de Peyre Rouge, then the Serres and Maupas, descend along a south-west ridge to the Fontaine des Hollowed-out Tree Trunks Serving as Drinking Troughs, admiring the Montaveilla on your right as you go.
(6) Fontaine des Hollowed-out Tree Trunks Serving as Drinking Troughs. To reach the Queryie plain and its remarkable tree, take the obvious descent (still south-west) following the course of the stream, or the path a little higher up on the right to keep your feet dry. After 1.5 km, stop off at the Roman quarries, which you will need to climb a little to appreciate the full beauty of the site.
(7) From the quarries, continue south along a well-marked track, still in this lunar landscape, to reach the Jasse de Peyre Rouge, which can be used as shelter if necessary.
(8) Once you have passed the sheepfold, continue south (left track) on the path winding through the rocky outcrops and sparse trees for 3 km. A short climb then leads straight to the Pas de l'Ours.
(9) When you reach Pas de l'Ours, you will be overlooking the Chaumailloux refuge (in front of you) and sheepfold (on your left), with the Resistance memorial and Mont Aiguille in the background. The very short descent to the plateau should be taken seriously as you may need to use your hands.
(10) When you reach Pas de l'Aiguille, take a look to your left at the three resistance caves (accessible) before embarking on the long descent, with breathtaking views of Mont Aiguille, to the entrance to the forest. Stay in the woods until you reach the memorial and car park at Les Fourchaux.
(11) Then follow the wide track running alongside the Nordic ski area and the fitness trail for 3 km to return to your car park (S/E).
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