Lac d’Allos – Tête de Valplane – La Cluite car park

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Alternative route to reach the Cluite car park from the Lac d’Allos refuge. The route passes via the Tête de Valplane, which offers breathtaking views of Lac d’Allos, the Cirque de l’Encombrette and the valley leading to Colmars.
You are in the Mercantour National Park; there are regulations to be observed, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to €1,500 – see the practical information.
This route takes you off the marked trails; please read the reviews.

Details

n°26311677
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.56 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,306 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,707 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,579 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,925 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Areas: Alps, Mercantour
  • ⚐ City: Allos (04260)
  • ⚑
    Start: N 44.237701° / E 6.707149°
  • ⚑
    End: N 44.246795° / E 6.669168°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3540ET, 3540OT, 3540OTR
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Photos

East face of the Encombrette
The Encombrette Cirque
Tête de Valplane
Valplane shepherds’ hut

Description of the walk

Please note that this route takes you off the marked trails and you are unlikely to come across other walkers.
On this route, you’ll only get mobile phone reception when you’re on the Valplane ridge. It’s advisable to wear sturdy footwear and carry walking poles, as the terrain is steep and there’s no marked path.

(S) From the Lac d’Allos refuge, take the path towards the Laus car park

(1) At the first junction, turn left towards the Col de l’Encombrette; the path climbs slightly.

(2) Leave the path and choose your own route, heading slightly east of the Tête de Valplane.

(3) Once you reach the ridge, turn right, heading west towards the highest point, the Tête de Valplane. There is a large cairn about two metres high.

(4) Tête de Valplane: magnificent panoramic views. Continue along the ridge westwards to the Baisse de Valplane.

(5) Leave the ridge on the right, heading north, to descend into the Valplane cirque and reach the well-hidden shepherd’s hut; you can only see it once you’re close by.

(6) Leave the shepherd’s hut on your left and continue along the left bank of the torrent. Shortly afterwards, a path begins to emerge and leads into the woodland. Join the signposted path.

(7) Turn right (east) to reach the Cluite car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 7,326 ft - Refuge du Lac d'Allos
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 7,365 ft - Junction, turn left
  3. 2 : mi 0.97 - alt. 7,713 ft - Start off-trail to the right
  4. 3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 8,468 ft - Valplane Ridge
  5. 4 : mi 1.84 - alt. 8,579 ft - Tête de Valplane
  6. 5 : mi 2.21 - alt. 8,074 ft - Baisse de Valplane (2464 m)
  7. 6 : mi 3.38 - alt. 6,722 ft - Cabane pastorale de Valplane
  8. 7 : mi 4.06 - alt. 6,148 ft - Trail junction, on the right
  9. E : mi 4.56 - alt. 5,925 ft - Parking de la Cluite

Notes

Mercantour National Park regulations – full details can be found via this link:
- Between points (2) and (6), you are in a wildlife quiet zone. Please respect the regulations.
- Bivouacking and camping: permitted only more than an hour’s walk from road access points and the park boundaries, between 7.00 pm and 9.00 am. It is forbidden to spend the night in your vehicle in a car park or at the side of the road within the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
- Dogs are not permitted, even when kept on a lead
- Fires are prohibited in the heart of the park and also throughout the Alpes-Maritimes department
by prefectural decree.
- Parking may be prohibited at the start of certain hikes due to the risk of
torrential mudslides and rockfalls.
You can take this walk to reach the Cluite car park after camping at Lac d’Allos.
This allows you to complete the circular route without taking the usual path leading to Lac d’Allos.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

A great opportunity to practise navigating with a map and compass!

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We’ve altered the route to make a circular route starting from the Cluite car park (allow an extra 2–2½ hours to reach the lake). From point 2 onwards, the path veers off the beaten track (the GPS track is very useful); you won’t come across anyone, and there’s a lovely view at the head of Valplane. There’s an issue between points 5 and 6: you’ll be entering private pastoral land; we counted five Patou sheepdogs, but fortunately we weren’t in their way. From the shepherd’s hut to the car park, there’s a narrow track followed by a pleasant path alongside the Valplane torrent. This route is reserved for experienced and well-equipped walkers.

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