The Brèche de Charance via the Route de l’Avalanche

On the D994 road, between Gap and Veynes, head towards Rabou via the D503. Before reaching the village of Rabou, take the road on the right towards La Chau. Drive through the hamlet, then take the Route Forestière de Tavanet, which climbs gently north-east. Pass a hairpin bend on the right and continue straight ahead until the next hairpin bend.
Park near the barrier (only a few spaces available).

(S/E) Go through the barrier and follow the Route Forestière de l’Avalanche straight ahead. Cross the Torrent de la Combe, then ignore the path that crosses the track and join another track.

(1) Ignore the small paths to the left and right and continue straight ahead along the forest track until you reach the Route de la Brèche (track D53).

(2) Turn sharply left onto this track. At the end, continue along the path to the nearby Brèche de Charance.

(3) At the top of the ridge, take in the view over the Gap region

(4) Turn back a few metres.

(3) Then take the path that descends to the right, heading north-west, to walk down alongside the Combe torrent, eventually coming out onto the Route Forestière de l’Avalanche and the original junction.

(1) Turn right here, heading in the opposite direction to your outward journey, to return to the barrier at the start (S/E).

There are no water sources along the route, but there is a fountain in the village of Rabou.

Longer alternatives
- You can leave your car at the hamlet of ‘La Chau’ and then walk up via the Tavanet Forest Road.
- From the pass, you can make a round trip to the Pic de Charance by taking the path on the right (yellow markings), heading west.
- From the pass, you can return via the Col de Guizière and descend into the Bois de Tavanet (elevation gain 500 m, total time 4 hours 45 minutes).

The Charance ridges offer a beautiful panoramic view over Gap towards Céüse, the Dévoluy, the Pic de Gleize, the Vieux Chaillol, the Ubaye, the Montagne de la Blanche, etc.