The Col de Font Froide via the Cabane de Peyron Roux

From Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, take the D23, then the D123 towards La Motte-en-Champsaur. Drive through the village and take the road to Molines-en-Champsaur, where you will reach the car park at an altitude of 1,220 metres after 4 kilometres on a small road that may be temporarily blocked by flooding from the Torrent des Pins.
Park in the large car park at the entrance to the village on the right.

(S/E) From the car park, turn right and follow the sign for "Départ des randonnées" (hiking trailhead) (yellow markings). Walk up along the Torrent de la Séveraissette, then Peyron Roux to the village.

(1) Facing the sign, turn left towards "Cabane de Peyron Roux". Return to the village and turn right just after the ONF lodge. Walk up through the village on the tarmac road, heading north-east. Pass in front of the church and enter the forest.

(2) At the edge of the village, turn right, still heading towards "Cabane de Peyron Roux".

(3) Continue along the forest track and follow the stream on the right bank until you reach the start of the trail 300 metres further on.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the left, leaving the forest track. Climb gradually through the forest, following the boundary of the Écrins National Park. Cross several streams (often dry): Torrent des Baumettes, Torrent de Chau Creuse, then Torrent de l'Orteyer and its waterfalls at the edge of the forest. Finally, cross the Torrent du Vallon to reach the Cabane de Peyron Roux, sheltered under the larch trees.

(5) Continue the ascent to the left, along the path that crosses the Torrent de Peyron Roux and winds its way up to the junction at 1695 metres.

(6) Take the path on the right towards the Col de Font Froide, ignoring the path on the left that climbs to the Col de l'Ardouère.The ground becomes loose and a little unstable (avoid after rain). Alternating between scree and wooded areas at the start, the climb is long and steady, becoming steeper below the rock barrier that closes off the valley (cairn). Pass by the Font Froide spring. Reach the pass at the end of a gently sloping line.

(7) Turn back to the Cabane de Peyron Roux.

(5) This time, take the path on the left to descend to the left bank of the torrent. The path then turns into a wide track through the undergrowth.

(8) Continue downhill straight ahead, ignoring the path on the left leading to the Chemin de Ronde.

(9) Take the path on the right towards Molines until you reach the footbridge over the stream 250 metres further on. You will rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(3) Take the track on the left towards the village.

(2) This time, do not go down into the village, but continue straight ahead past the chalet, heading west towards "Tour de Molines". Follow the pretty grassy path and rejoin the track.

(10) Follow it along the hillside and to the left, ignoring the path on the right that climbs towards the Col de l'Ardouère. Continue to the next crossroads, 150 m further on.

(11) Turn left onto a less marked path through the fir trees, heading south, to reach the tarmac road and the car park (S/E).

In the village of Molines-en-Champsaur: fountain and dining available at Auberge Gaillard.
In addition to its renowned cuisine, the inn offers six rooms for those who wish to extend their stay in Molines-en-Champsaur. Whether for a meal or an overnight stay, reservations are strongly recommended. Tel. +33 (0)6 09 30 07 47 or +33 (0)4 92 43 40 99 auberge-gaillard.fr

Where the crystal-clear waters of the Peyron Roux and Muande torrents meet, in the shadow of the Vieux Chaillol, Molines-en-Champsaur enjoys a beautiful natural setting. Its name is linked to the mills that once stood here. Mass emigration to the United States, the two world wars of the 20th century and violent floods from the torrents emptied it of its inhabitants, leaving the hamlets of Roy, Sellon, Londonnière and Boyers to fall prey to the ravages of time. However, a few permanent residents still live in the village of Molines.
This gateway to the Écrins is the starting point for many hikes.

(3) Just after the footbridge, a micro power station was built during the Second World War by "Jeunesse et Montagne" (Youth and Mountains). Created in the aftermath of the 1940 debacle by a group of air force officers, this organisation, which was a melting pot for many resistance fighters and future guides, gave rise to the UCPA a quarter of a century later.

(5) Located opposite the Peyron Roux hut, at a place called Gibet, a vein of cipolin (white marble) was mined locally before 1950. Remains such as the access path, the old hut and the processing platform are still visible. The white marble from this site frames the doors and windows of the village of Molines, particularly those of its chapel.

(7) The Font Froide rock glacier is made up of a "concrete" of ice and rock that moves at a very slow speed. This movement creates a morphology similar to a lava flow. Located at the base of the Colle Blanche summit, it ends at the bottom with a still-active frontal moraine from which flows a spring that gave its name to the valley, "Font Froide". Do not venture there, as the structure is fragile! This place, nicknamed "Casses labourées" (ploughed fields), was cursed by the ancients.