Le Jocou from the Col de Menée

The starting point is at the entrance to the Col de Menée Tunnel on the Drôme side (car park available).

White-red markings

(S/E) Cross the road with care and take the path starting on the left of the tunnel towards the Col de Menée, marked by a cross.

Yellow-green markings

(1) From the pass, continue to the right towards Mont Barral and Le Jocou along a wide path through the woodland, an easy walk to a large meadow.

(2) At the fork (elevation 1539m), take the path on the right, heading straight up. Not far on, slightly off to the side, you’ll see the sign for the place: Pré Rond.
The path re-enters a wooded area before reaching the ridge line a little further up, near the Source de Freydière (heading right then left).
As you proceed, the route takes you through a treeless, slightly rockier landscape, following the ridge line to the summit of Mont Barral (elevation 1903m).

(3) At the summit: very beautiful views (just like a little earlier). Continue straight along the ridge line, with a fairly steep slope through a rather grassy landscape, up to the 1723m mark.

White-red markings

(4) Continue along the Crête de Jiboui. The slope then becomes much gentler. You reach the Crête de Jiboui (signpost) at a fork in the path. Continue straight along the ridge line, with no significant changes in elevation, following the^GR® 93 route (markings are irregular but the route is straightforward).

(5) A little further on, you reach an unnamed pass (which could be called the Col de la Roberche).
From here, the^GR® route has been altered to bypass a sheep pasture; the path climbs up to La Roberche via a route that is rough in places (follow the red and white^GR® markings carefully). The descent then takes place through more grassy terrain, though it is somewhat steep, down to the Col de Seysse.

(6) From this pass, continue straight ahead, due east, towards Jocou, keeping to the right of the fence as indicated (white and red^GR® markings).
About 100 m further on, cross the fence to the left (be aware of the potential presence of sheep and sheepdogs in the area).
The route is moderately visible (follow the red and white markings) before joining a proper path.
After a bend to the right, proceed along a fairly steep section with an almost straight climb through fairly rocky terrain until you reach the Crête de l'Archat junction.

(7) Continue due south, keeping to the right along the ridge line, which is easy going. (Red and white^GR® markings) and reach the Jocou (elevation 2051m).

(8) After a break, turn around and head back along the same route you took on the way up.

(7) After the Crête de l'Archat, take care on the descent over very slippery, rocky ground.

(6) After the Col de Seysse, head straight on to climb La Roberche (same route as on the way there).

(5) Once you reach the pass, the route along the ridge is fairly easy until you reach the junction you passed on the way there.

(4) At the junction, at the Crête de Jiboui (as indicated on the sign), continue left towards the Pâturage de Jiboui (red and white^GR® markings).
The route then follows a few tracks, where you should keep well to the right of the sheepfold. Reach the junction at the Pâturage de Jiboui.

(9) Continue to the right along the track and reach the entrance to the Col de Menée Tunnel (S/E).

Good walking boots and walking poles are recommended.

Nature doesn’t cope well with your rubbish. Take it with you!

It is also possible to start the route on the other side of the tunnel (Isère).
In this case, for the final section, I suggest either taking a small path on the right about 500 m before the tunnel, or taking the path starting to the left of the tunnel (as described in this route) to return to the starting point (via the Col de Menée).

The route is generally satisfactory:
From (S/E) to (1): a decent path with red and white^GR® markings

From (1) to (4): good path marked in yellow and green with signposts. The gradient is quite steep on the descent from the summit of Barral.

From (4) to (5): an easy route along the ridge following the^GR® 93 trail. Markings are rather sparse

From (5) to (6): access to the Col de Seysse is prohibited from 1 June to 30 October via the direct path, as this encroaches on sheep grazing land. Consequently, the^GR® route has been diverted via the small hill of La Roberche.
During this period, you should take this route, which is somewhat rough in places (follow the red and white^GR® markings).

From (6) to (7): a fairly steep route on a well-graveled path following a variant of^{the GR®93}. Markings are rather sparse but there are no major issues with finding your way.

From (7) to (8)^: an easy route along the ridge following the^GR® route^. A few signposts, but markings are scarce.

From (4) to (9): the route follows a few tracks that are generally clearly visible.^GR® markings are rather scarce (at the start and finish) but finding your way is not a problem.

From (9) to (S/E): a good, passable track on a route that poses no problems (no markings).

Footfall on the route is fairly average or even low (depending on the section).

Le Jocou: standing at 2,051 m, the summit overlooks the Haut-Diois to the west, of which it is the highest peak, the Trièves to the north-east, and the Buëch region to the south-east. Read here for more details.