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Parking at the Col de la Coche
(S/E) Take the unpaved forest track which climbs increasingly steeply.
(1) At the water source, continue straight on. Always choose the path that climbs most directly. The route is marked by cairns.
You arrive at a stone table on a tree stump. The forest track levels off then climbs again, turning into a mule track as it ascends into a small valley. It gradually veers 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 short climb, the path turns left (north-east) to cross the clearing halfway up the slope and skirt the mountainside. It becomes less steep as it crosses afirst scree slope of a few square metres, 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 up to reach the summit and pass between the rocks above. A path runs along the base of the scree slope. Thefirst small scree slope and this one are separated by a tiny copse just a few metres wide.
(3) As you emerge from the small scree slope, turn right (south-south-west) immediately after thefirst pine tree. Begin the ascent by following the path that runs alongside the scree slope, occasionally veering into the woods for a brief glimpse of Embrun. It winds from cairn to cairn between the large scree slope and a small ridge in the woods. Then the path crosses the scree slope halfway up to reach the rock furthest upstream. Several more or less distinct paths through this scree lead you to weave your way between the rocks.
Above the rocks, you’ll find an alpine meadow. Follow the path to reach the summit.
(4) Once you reach the ridges, follow them and pass by Mont Orel and its signal.
Continue in this way to the three crosses on its gently rounded ridges.
(5) Turn back to 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 slope by skirting the ridges and moving away from them, i.e. descending gradually.
If you look carefully, a larger cairn near the first tree, where the alpine grassland takes over again, marks the meeting point.
(7) Go round the cairn to the right (east) to follow the cairns and reach thefirst tree to the right of the small wooded valley further down.
This path, dotted with cairns, leads downwards until you come to a forest track; take this to the right (east-northeast) to reach the Pra Leydon chapel.
(8) Leaving the chapel, retrace your steps 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 its left flank (south).
You will reach a sloping grassy area. Follow it southwards, descending gently. This turns into a hanging valley overlooking the Cirque des Casses below. Continue southwards, descending to the bottom of the valley. Look out for a cairn marking the start of the small path that leads down into the cirque.
(9) At the bottom of the Cirque des Casses (signpost), descend the valley which becomes a mountain pasture. The path then joins another valley heading further north.
(10) Join the tarmac road to the Col de la Cloche and take it to 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 
National Park
