The Pic de Gleize (long loop via the Chaudun circular trail)

On the Route Napoléon N85, at the Gap Bayard golf course, take the small tourist road to Col de Gleize, towards Col de Gleize - Les Lunels (wooden sign). Park in the car park at the pass (13 km north of Gap).

(S/E) From the car park, take the path behind the small forest house, heading north towards the Pic de Gleize (signpost).
Follow the yellow markings. The trail winds its way up through the pine and larch forest, offering magnificent views of the Champsaur valley. The trail emerges onto the mountain pastures on a flat area at an altitude of 1,790 m. Continue north to the crossroads, about 200 m further on.

(1) Continue straight ahead, heading north across the mountain pasture, before turning sharply left (350 m further on). Begin the climb up the hillside to the junction (altitude 1969 m).

(2) The junction is not very visible but is marked on the ground by a yellow mark on a rock. Turn right and head north, walking between the rocks. Pass under the Pic de Gleize and reach a small pass (elevation 2,101 metres).

(3) Between the Pic de Gleize and the Pic de l'Aiguille, this small, unnamed pass offers views of the Champsaur Valley on one side and the Dévoluy massif on the other.
Take the path on the left (south-southwest) that climbs up to the ridge (ignore the less visible path on the right that descends) to reach the Pic de Gleize. Alternative route: continue along the ridge to the Pic de Chaudun (2,146 m, very close and reachable in a few minutes).

(4) Enjoy the view before turning back and returning to the small, unnamed pass.

(3) Descend to the left (cairn) following the yellow markings. The path is quite steep and winds down the north-west-facing mountain pasture. It is fairly easy except for a rocky section that is a little tricky to navigate before reaching a more pleasant mountain pasture.
Stay alert as the path is less visible in the grass: follow the yellow markings carefully, heading north-west. Continue the descent until you reach the Chaudun circular path.
Possible variations: see the "Nearby" section.

(5) Turn left to go around the Chaudun mountain (at least 2 km). The balcony trail is clearly visible and marked in yellow.
You will see the ruins of the old village of Chaudun below. Continue along this balcony path to go around the Chaudun mountain. The path turns south, then south-east to reach the Col de Chabanottes (sign).

(6) Continue straight ahead to reach the Chaudun forest road before the Col du Milieu.

(7) Continue straight ahead on the forest road and reach the Col du Milieu in a left-hand bend.

(8) The road turns east until you reach the Col de Gleize car park (S/E).

No water source.

There is little elevation gain but a lot of rockfall on this beautiful balcony route.
A few exposed sections between (5) and (6) should be avoided in strong winds.

Longer variants:
(4) Continue along the ridge to the Pic de Chaudun (altitude 2,146 m), which is nearby and can be reached in a few minutes.

(5) Return via the village of Chaudun: turn right to continue on the path, then at the next junction, take the path that descends to the left towards the village of Chaudun. This abandoned village has an oratory and information panels. Pass the forest house and cross the bridge to follow the forest road that winds its way up to the Col de Gleize (total time 6 hours - elevation gain 700 m)

(5) Return via the sentier de ronde and the village of Chaudun: turn right to continue on the sentier de ronde, then at the next junction, continue on the path opposite to continue along the side of the wide cirque. Cross ravines at a fairly constant altitude, pass the Échine de l'Âne (altitude 1,738 m) and continue along the patrol path on the south side until you reach a junction on a shoulder (altitude 1,748 m). Turn left onto the GR®93, which descends from the Col de Chétive, and continue down the winding path to the village of Chaudun. In the village of Chaudun, cross the bridge and follow the forest road, which winds its way up to the Col de Gleize (total time 7 hours - elevation gain 700 m).