Starting point: The hamlet of Espréaux, between Veynes and Esparron.
Parking is not easy. Park at the side of the road, taking care not to park on private property. Coming from Veynes, just after the hamlet there is a picnic area on the right, then immediately after that, still on the right, a fairly wide field entrance where you can park a car at the edge without damaging the crops.
(S/E) From the main road (D20), head due west up the road leading into the heart of the hamlet. Walk to the fountain.
(1) Turn right for a few metres, then immediately left. Traces of pale yellow markings remain.
First, follow a very wide track. When it ends, head up to the right to reach a crossroads.
(2) Be careful not to be tempted by the path that descends to the left towards a reservoir; the trail continues to the right, with a circular route that starts north-east and then goes west. Carry on without too much difficulty. You’ll reach a point where a number of fallen trees make progress more difficult. You’ll come to another junction of paths.
(3) Leave the pale yellow-marked route here and head south-east. Further on, head up to the right (west) towards the Serre de la Baraffe.
Note: Don’t hesitate to stay right on the edge of the ravine to avoid the trees and vegetation.
Then follow the ridge north-west to reach the Tête des Quarante.
(4) Continue due north, skirting the rocky outcrop of the Grosses Pierres. Keep this outcrop on your right. At the end of it, climb up to rejoin the ridge. Continue along it to the summit of Boutelenq.
Note: In the wooded section, always stay as high up as possible; the route is easier this way.
(5) Head north to reach the summit of Côte Belle (altitude 1,589 m).
Turn 90° to the right to reach the Ourettes stream further down. Stay in the non-wooded area for as long as possible. Ignore thefirst horizontal path you come across. Continue your descent a little further. Atthe second path you cross, follow it to the right. Enter the forest and look for a tree marked with a red dot near the stream.
(6) Walk down alongside the dry stream for about 350 metres, more or less following this red dot marking.
Continue on a gentle descent, leaving the stream behind, and head right into a beautiful beech forest (marked with a red line).
On leaving the forest, you’ll come to a cairn with a large white dot (see photo).
(7) Continue south-west to reach the hamlet of Les Isnards.
(8) To avoid crossing the fields, go past the easternmost house and follow the path leading towards Espréaux. After crossing the small stream, turn left immediately to reach the first crossroads directly.
(1) Turn left onto the wide track that leads back to the hamlet of Espréaux (S/E).