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Parking at the Col de la Coche
(S/E) Take the dirt forest track, which climbs more and more steeply.
(1) At the water source, continue straight ahead. Always choose the path that climbs most steeply. The route is marked with cairns.
You will come to a stone table on a tree trunk. The forest track levels out then climbs again, turning into a mule track as it ascends into a small valley. It gradually turns to the right (south-west) of the valley to follow the wooded slope of the mountain, which drops steeply down to Embrun.
(2) After a climb, the path turns left (north-east) to cross the clearing halfway up the slope and go around the mountainside. It becomes less steep to cross afirst scree slope of a few square metres and then, after a few trees, a large steep scree slope. This is where you need to be careful.
Do not cross the large scree slope, but climb to reach the top and pass between the rocks above. A path allows you to walk along the base of the scree slope. Thefirst small scree slope and this one are separated by a tiny wood a few metres wide.
(3) When you come out of the small scree slope, turn right (south-southwest) immediately after thefirst pine tree. Begin the climb by following the path that runs along the scree slope, sometimes veering off into the woods for a glimpse of Embrun. It goes from cairn to cairn between the large scree slope and a small ridge in the woods. Then the path crosses the scree halfway up to reach the rock furthest upstream. Several paths of varying steepness in this scree lead you to weave your way between these rocks.
Above the rocks, you will find an alpine lawn. Follow the path to reach the summit.
(4) When you reach the ridges, follow them and pass by Mont Orel and its signal.
Continue in this direction until you reach the three crosses on the rounded ridges.
(5) Turn back and take the eastern side of the ridge (opposite Embrun).
(6) A sign indicates the direction of the Pra Leydon Chapel.
The aim is to descend thefirst step by walking along and away from the ridges, i.e. descending gradually.
If you pay attention, a larger cairn near the first tree, where the alpine lawn resumes, marks the meeting point.
(7) Go around the cairn on the right (east) to go from cairn to cairn and reach thefirst tree to the right of the small wooded valley downstream.
This path, marked by cairns, descends until it meets a forest path. Take this path to the right (east-northeast) to reach the Pra Leydon chapel.
(8) Leaving the chapel, retrace your steps back into the small valley. Return to the small cairn just before the chapel (100m from the chapel).
Exit the valley at this point by climbing up its left (southern) side.
You will arrive at a sloping lawn. Follow it southwards, descending gently. It turns into a suspended valley overlooking the Cirque des Casses. Continue southwards, descending to the bottom of the valley. You will see a cairn marking the entrance to the small path that descends into the cirque.
(9) At the bottom of the Cirque des Casses (signpost), descend the valley which becomes an alpine pasture. The path then joins another valley heading more towards the north.
(10) Join the tarmac road to the Col de la Cloche and take it on the left (north). Follow it to the Col de la Coche through the Saluces Forest (3.5 km) and reach the starting point (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Moderate 
