The Baroness’s Trail

Start 500m past the hamlet of Le Serre in Terminis, reached from Clelles (Route du Col de La Croix-Haute) or from Mens via the Col de Mens.
(You can also start from the Boutari car park in the Ebron valley, then join the ascent path as described at the end of the guide to return to Le Serre).

(S/E) Leave the track that heads right towards the Grotte de la Fétoure and take the forest path opposite, which climbs up to Champ la Selle.

(1) Head straight up, veering right twice, following the yellow aeroplane-shaped markings.
The path eventually emerges from the forest to climb a ridge where the memorial stone and the wreckage of the plane that crashed here are located.

(2) From the memorial, at the foot of the Grande Casse, cross the scree to the left and follow a path up through the steep woods of Poët de Plantin. On leaving the forest, at the edge of the ravine, the path reaches a clearing where a chalet once stood.
N.B. It is also possible to head straight up the ridge from the memorial until you reach the flat patrol path: then turn left.

(3) From this platform, head right through the grass to rejoin the ascending path as it enters the forest once more. It joins the old patrol path, which you should follow to the left on level ground.
Before reaching the scree, a path branches off to the right and back, climbing in wide switchbacks up to the Seia mountain pasture.

(4) From here, the long, north-bound ascent begins; after crossing an initial ravine with unstable scree, it climbs the often grassy slopes of the first section of the Petites Charances (the easiest part).
The path in this section comes to a halt at the cliffs carved out by the upper Ebron basin: the route continues higher up.

(5) A switchback allows you to climb up to the pass leading to the upper part of the Petites Charances.
The path gradually becomes less steep but much more exposed, crossing grassy, rocky or scree-covered slopes—all of which remain steep—and crossing ravines that are often rockier (use your hands for support).

The ridge is not far away near the Cols du Courtet, du Nid and Col de la Cavale. But it is closest at the foot of the Col du Portail.

(6) From the path, climb for 10 minutes to this pass via a corridor of “devoluard steps”

(7) For a view of the east face: Combe de la Prison and Tête de la Cavale.

(6) Descend back down the Sentier de la Baronne, which crosses a first ridge at the same level, then, at the start of the descent, a second ridge, 20m above a narrow, jagged ridge.

(8) Descend through the scree to reach a grassier ridge descending from Tête de la Cavale. Then follow a series of cairns, and at the last one, don’t miss the descent into the valley to the north.

(9) Join the main hiking path coming from Rochassac.

(10) From the junction with this path, head south-west towards the Courtet mountain pastures.

(11) The path descends via wide switchbacks (alternative route in practical information).

Caution: do not descend too far towards the Saint Baudrille-et-Pipet side, but veer left at the end of the switchbacks (south-west direction) to switch properly to the Tréminis side.
The path is marked in yellow as you approach the 1717m altitude.

(12) Turn left towards the south-east to cross over to the Sous-Courtet slope (forest house) and, via switchbacks through the Pravert forest, quickly lose altitude to reach the Pravert torrent and its RTM structures.

(13) A track for machinery access exists from here, but its dusty hairpin bends are conveniently bypassed by the yellow-marked trail of the “Ebron route”.

(14) Cross the Ebron and, after two bends, head straight down the old track, which cuts across the hairpin bends of the new track.

At an altitude of 1190m, turn left to descend a marked forest track, which takes you through the Combe Amare, to a junction by a stream (1140m).

(15) Continuing straight on would lead to the Boutari car park. To return to the top of the Serre, turn left to climb an old path, destroyed by flooding: you will now be climbing a path that is heavily eroded and littered with rocks and pebbles carried down by a flood of the Torrent des Chaberts.

Climb up to the old ford, now unrecognisable, to cross the torrent and rejoin the forest track on the left bank, which remains in good condition and descends straight down to meet the ascent route.

(1) Turn right onto this path to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Alternative route: Once you reach the mountain pastures, you can follow the grassy ridge and then through the forest from (11) and rejoin the path further down after (12).

Warning: the route is exposed over long stretches and is therefore only suitable for hikers with sure-footedness. Not suitable for those prone to vertigo or for children.

Avoid in wet weather and on slippery ground; in spring, wait until the snow has melted.

Otherwise, in good conditions, no special equipment is required, though you will need to use your hands a little in certain sections. Walking poles are useful, and an ice axe may be advisable for added security.

The trail is cited as one of the most spectacular; this is no myth but a reality. It is impressive to behold, but once you set off, you’ll be surprised at how easily it goes.

The view is unobstructed from north to south, but to the east: Chartreuse, Vercors, Diois, as far as Mont Ventoux, and of course the western side of the Dévoluy: Grand and Petit Ferrand, Tête de l’Auget, Le Rougnou, Le Nid and Tête de la Cavale, then the Bonnet de Calvin.

Legend has it that a Baroness of Tréminis had this path cut into the slopes overlooking the cliffs to allow shepherds and their sheep access to the grasslands of the Petites Charances, which she owned.