The summit of Coste Belle from the Laye station

From the Route Napoléon (N85), 5 km south of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur and near the Col Bayard, take the D88 which climbs to the small resort of Laye en Champsaur. Park in the large car park at the entrance to the resort.

(S/E) From the car park, head to the trailhead at the bottom of the "Jungle Laye" tree-top adventure park and enter the woods towards the cattle grid.

(1) Take the trail on the right, heading west, along the stream. Follow the yellow "Coste Belle" signs along the Cuque trail in the opposite direction.
Climb up the Robert valley and cross two ski lifts. Alternate between tracks and paths under the fir trees, then under the larch trees. The route to follow is always signposted, despite the intersections. You will arrive at the end of a forest track.

(2) Continue right on the path that climbs uphill.

(3) Continue climbing to the left.

(4) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the track on the right, until you reach the Devès crossroads.

(5) Turn right towards Coste Belle (3.7 km). The balcony trail passes under the Pic de Gleize and the Pic de L'Aiguille. The forest becomes less dense, giving way to sparser vegetation.

(6) Turn right, then leave the forest. Begin the ascent on the trail, which becomes a ledge carved into the rock, offering unobstructed views. Be careful! This trail, which crosses several ravines, is sometimes in poor condition but always passable.

At an altitude of 1,730 metres, you will cross a few ravines which, although not difficult, require caution due to their rocky composition and scree.
Next, reach a south-east-facing shoulder. Climb the grassy, then earthy slopes to the ridge.

(7) Continue right on the ridge, heading north, to the secondary summit of Coste Belle and its signpost "Coste Belle 2001 m". The actual highest point is a little further on and can be reached by a descent, then a sustained climb along a wide ridge.
The panorama is spectacular, with magnificent views of the Champsaur valleys and the peaks of the Écrins.

(8) Turnaround and descend via the path taken on the way up, until you reach the last crossroads in the woods.

(5) This time, follow the path opposite, towards "Laye station par la Cuque". Pass under the Grand Clot ski lift.

(9) Leave the track and take the small path on the right, then cross another track 50 m further on and head towards the resort via La Cuque.

(10) Continue along the path opposite to reach the small Belvédère de La Cuque viewpoint. The path then crosses the "Clôt la Dame" ski slope.

(11) Take the forest road on the left, heading north, to cross the "Clôt la Dame" ski slope again.

(12) Leave the forest road and take the path on the left, which descends eastwards, then northwards. Cross the "Clôt la Dame" ski slope one last time.

(13) Take the forest track on the left, which descends into the woods, heading northeast.

(14) Cross the forest road to continue straight ahead and arrive near "Jungle Aventure". Stay on the main path when crossing under the tree-top adventure course and continue to the station.

(1) Turn right and head to the car park (S/E).

Follow the yellow markings throughout the loop. The "La Cuque" discovery trail (plant logo on the signs) is partially used at the beginning and end of the route (in the opposite direction). Do not confuse these signs with the sign for "La Cuque", a place crossed at the end of the route (small viewpoint).

Be careful, as the path crossing the ravines can be exposed depending on the weather. In spring, there is a risk of short snow crossings as a result of spring snowmelt until early May.

Those who are afraid of heights may find this routedaunting, but it should not pose any problems for most people.

Nestled at the foot of the Gleize and Aiguille peaks, the small resort of Laye is resistant to the scarcity of snow in the mid-mountains.
In retaliation for an ambush by resistance fighters on a German convoy on 17 July 1944, almost the entire village of Laye was burned down while the inhabitants were held at gunpoint by German machine guns and prevented from saving their personal belongings, furniture or livestock! A monument honouring the Resistance of Champsaur-Valgaudemar has been erected on the ruins of the castle tower, the scene of this terrible battle.
Named L'aïa in Vivaro-Alpine Occitan, this place name is a contraction of La Aïa, which means sylve (forest, wooded area) and gave rise to the French word haie, meaning hedge.

Shorter variants:
- (8) Avoid continuing along the ridge to the highest point (saves 20 minutes).

- (5) Avoid the loop by following the same route on the way up and down in a simple round trip (time shortened by 30 minutes).