The Mule - Loubatières circular

This circular starting from Laus de Cervières leads through two very pleasant woods: Péméant and Loubatières. It is a very interesting route in hot weather as it mainly passes under the large larch trees of these two forests.

Details

9479
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 613 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 613 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,264 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,759 m

Description of the walk

Take the Col d'Izoard road and park in the large field at the exit of Laus de Cervières (in the direction of Briançon - Izoard).

(S/E) Cross the road and continue towards the woods until you reach the trail. Turn right, pass under the arch formed by the two electricity pylons, then join the Sentier Botanique crossroads.

(1) Take it to the left (Botanical Trail sign) and follow thePR® (yellow) markings, which will take you almost to the end. A series of hairpin bends will take you to a forest road. Take it to the left for about ten metres, then turn right onto the parallel path (sign). Stay on the hillside to reach a new crossroads.

(2) Start a steep climb on the right. You will then reach a shoulder and, on the left, the almost horizontal path that leads to the Col d'Izoard road.

(3) There are no morePR® markings here, so head straight ahead and descend into the meadows. When you reach a wide track, turn right and follow the road until you reach a bend on the right.

(4) Take the track opposite (signposted Fort de la Lausette): it is marked in yellow again.
Pass the ruined chalets and bear right to join the clearly visible path opposite. Stay on this path; the yellow markings on the stones and trees lead to the crossroads known as Les Loubatières.

(5) Then turn right onto the path that descends steeply into the woods. The numerous hairpin bends end on the Col d'Izoard road. Take this road to the left for about 100 metres to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,768 m - Parking area at the exit of Laus
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 1,785 m - Botanical trail crossroads
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 1,925 m - Crossroads to the right
  4. 3 : km 4.96 - alt. 2,230 m - Izoard road junction
  5. 4 : km 5.92 - alt. 2,127 m - Izoard chalets crossroads
  6. 5 : km 8.15 - alt. 2,225 m - Loubatières crossroads
  7. S/E : km 10.32 - alt. 1,768 m - Parking lot at the exit of Laus

Notes

The only water source is located at the Loubatières crossroads. You have to look for it, as it is about ten metres above the path.
However, the Col d'Izoard refuge is accessible from the crossroads of the Sentier de la Mule trail (about fifteen minutes).

Worth a visit

If you want to extend this route, you can visit the Fort de la Lausette. This will add an hour and a half to your walk, but it is interesting to see the surroundings of this fort. It was mainly used to guard the Fonts de Cervières valley, as it is located on the axis of the valley. Opposite, the Col Chabaud marks the border.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 2193251

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular mainly through forest, at this time of year surrounded by the autumn colours of the larch trees, with a significant elevation gain, especially at the end, but downhill. The route is poorly marked between points 4 and 5, so it's a good thing we have GPS.

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patembrun
patembrun

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the cool air. However, we know that there is still a lot of oil in reserve, judging by the number and, above all, the noise of vehicles travelling on the Izoard. For peace and quiet, wait until winter.

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François GQ
François GQ

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike done on a hot day, fortunately the trail was well shaded. Nice view with a beautiful diversity of landscapes encountered.

The last descent is along a forest path, so watch out for pine cones and stones. Apart from this, there are no major difficulties on the walk.

However, there are two points in the walk where the description lacks precision: at the start and at point 3, where there is no track and it is not clear where to go. At the start, do not hesitate to cross the meadow to reach the path. At point 3, follow the narrow passage a little further down, which will naturally lead you to the road.

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Rambler49
Rambler49
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A parish specific to Brittany hike, beautiful flora and lots of stunning views. The passage between points 3 and 4 is not easy to describe and we navigated by sight.
The final descent is steep, with stones and pine cones making it slippery. I recommend using walking sticks.
But overall, it's an interesting hike and you can quench your thirst when you arrive at the Auberge l'Arpelin.

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Walker39380
Walker39380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike starting from Laus de Cervières.
Two points to note regarding the start:

  • either start from the point indicated in the description BUT , go down to the entrance to the village and take the first street on the right, pass between the two houses, keeping your eyes on a green building with a rounded roof; the trail starts shortly afterwards
  • or park in the car park on the left (going up towards the pass) and join the trail indicated in the option above.

The start is a nice steady climb, followed by a very pleasant walk through the forest, especially in sunny weather. Take a short break on the bench with a breathtaking view of Cervières.
The route continues to be pleasant. After crossing the road, descend into the small hollow below, dotted with dead trees, to reach the track. There is a very nice section near the (ruined) chalets of Izoard, then a climb back up through the woods to finish.
Regarding the end of the hike, the descent is very steep and: it is absolutely necessary to be equipped with good shoes and walking sticks are recommended.
It was very hot that day, and the flies didn't leave us alone for a second... except when crossing the road So if you know of any fly repellent, don't hesitate to let us know!

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beaber
beaber

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, lots of flowers, beautiful forest; although cloudy, the scenery was quite impressive. The walk was not technically difficult, no climbing, no scree. At the end, the descent is a little steep, but it is on a path and can be done by anyone if you take it slowly. We didn't meet a single soul!

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France_63
France_63

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that I took for the pleasure of returning to eat at the Napoleon refuge.
I didn't know about the return route via the Izoard chalets, the Loubatières woods and the Talias woods.
A very beautiful route until the descent into the Talias woods. Very, very steep.
I strongly advise against it for those who are afraid of heights.
Otherwise, everything else was perfect.

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lourougaou83
lourougaou83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful route at the foot of the Col de l'Izoard.
I would add one piece of information, starting at point 3: join the track below; if you can't see it, you will see the EDF poles, which are on it.
A very pleasant hike, especially in hot weather.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, jdobagne.
If only someone could tell us how to get rid of the flies, I'd be interested.

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