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Park in the centre of Val d'Allos village, near the town hall in the Cognet car park.
(S/E) The starting point of the postman’s trail is, of course, the post office. Take the road to the right of the post office, then turn right onto Rue du Moulin and cross the Chadoulin stream via a footbridge.
Then follow theGR®56Bfor two-thirds of the route, marked with red and white signs. The narrow path climbs gently up the valley; it is a very cool, wooded route, which may be damp depending on the weather. You will arrive at a junction at a place called La Cluite.
(1) Take the path that descends to the left, crosses the stream via a footbridge and climbs up the opposite side to the Piste du Brec.
(2) Follow this track via Brec Bas to reach Brec Haut.
(3) Immediately after the first house, follow the main track which veers left behind this chalet. This section is the steepest part of the climb but not very long, with an elevation gain of around 100 m. You’ll emerge onto meadows and then enter the Bois de Vacheresse, the highest point of the hike.
(4) Turn left into the larch forest and head down towards the Ferme des Bois, with its openwork shingle roof. You’ll reach a fork in the path.
(5) (For those feeling tired, a direct return to the village is possible from this junction by turning left.) Turn right towards Bouchier. Begin a pleasant, shaded descent on the north-facing slope.
(6) After another footbridge, you emerge into the beautiful hamlet of Bouchier.
(7) The return journey begins by turning left onto the Piste de Bouchier towards the village. Then leave theGR®56Band continue along thePR®, marked in yellow, to La Haute Colette.
(8) Take the path climbing up to the right; you’ll be rewarded with a lovely view of the valley and the Bois de Vacheresse. Below the Haute Colette farm, join theGR® descending from the Baisse de Prenier; follow the red and white markings to the finish.
(9) Turn left and head down following theGR®, not the track which winds a great deal. You’ll reach the elegant Saint-Pierre Chapel.
(10) Caution! The short section below the chapel is rocky, steep and often slippery, despite the handrail at the bottom. If you’re not confident on the mountain terrain, it’s best to avoid this section by taking a bend in the track. You’ll arrive in front of a pinkish building.
(11) Turn left to cross the Torrent du Bouchet via a final footbridge. Then follow the Route des Charrières down into the village centre and continue along the main road to the post office (S/E).
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Tourist office
