The summits of Le Pinier, Le Ranc de Mianoux and La Penne

A mountain that appears gentle, yet offers a splendid, rugged ridge and views of great beauty.
This hike is, however, only suitable for experienced walkers.

Details

n°1341231

Creation:
04 Aug 2018

Last update:
20 Aug 2018

Last review:
26 Aug 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.58 mi
Average duration: 5h 10
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,477 ft
Descent: - 2,507 ft
Highest point: 5,335 ft
Lowest point: 3,373 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Dévoluy, Dauphiné
City: Lus-la-Croix-Haute (26620)
Start/End: N 44.653876° / E 5.726498°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3237OT, 3237OTR, 3337OT, 3337OTR, 3338OT
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

From Lus-la-Croix-Haute, head towards the Jarjatte valley. At Les Corréardes, take the small road on the right towards La Bessée and the Riou Froid Gorges. Park in the hamlet of La Bessée.

(S/E) Continue along the road for a few metres, then leave it at the Serre Pouly crossroads to take the path on the left. Follow this path downhill for 500 metres and turn left at the wide track.
Cross the ford, veer left and follow the forest track to the junction of the path marked by a boulder with two blue stripes, which marks the start of the trail (1,049 m).

(1) Turn left to reach another junction a few metres before a clearly marked bend and a trough.
Leave this path and head up to the right through the woods (off the beaten track) to reach the forest track above.
(Caution: this is a bit tricky).

(2) Once you’ve joined the track, follow it, turning right at the first junction, until you reach a loading platform (at point 1359 on the map), situated on a ridge.

(3) Follow the middle track, which climbs very steeply towards Le Pinier.

(4) Follow the ridge heading south-east. It runs off-trail through a wooded section (caution: never stray too far from the ridge line). You’ll emerge from the woods shortly afterwards; stay on a lovely grassy strip between the woods and the sheer drops of the southern slope. Alternate between ascending and descending sections until you reach the summit of La Penne.

(5) Continue along the northern ridge through the woods on a path that is faint in places. You’ll reach a grassy clearing. Cross it and continue the descent (a cairn marks the start of the path) for about 150 metres, before coming to a very lovely level path on the left.

(6) Follow this path until it ends at a ravine, which you must descend, until you come to a forest track on the left.

(7) Follow this track until you rejoin the track you took on the way up at the crossroads you passed earlier.

(2) Take this track to the right, heading downhill for about 500 metres, and look out for a path coming from the right which leads back to the junction by the rock marked in blue.

(1) Follow the route you took on the way there to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,517 ft - Car park at the hamlet of La Bessée
1 : mi 0.71 - alt. 3,533 ft - Blue marker rock
2 : mi 1.21 - alt. 3,960 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
3 : mi 2.05 - alt. 4,429 ft - The route begins with a steep climb at Le Pinier
4 : mi 2.49 - alt. 5,000 ft - Le Pinier
5 : mi 3.82 - alt. 4,928 ft - La Penne
6 : mi 4.33 - alt. 4,255 ft - Horizontal path to the left
7 : mi 4.62 - alt. 4,062 ft - Ravine
S/E : mi 6.58 - alt. 3,510 ft - Car park at the hamlet of La Bessée

Notes

This walk is not signposted; it is very little used, the path is barely marked, if at all, and you have to step over a lot of branches.
But these are the vagaries of exploration, and the exceptional views make our efforts worthwhile.

It’s possible to go straight to (5) by following the forest track; it’s easier, but it’s a shame.

Reviews and comments

3.6 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
3 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Nathalie Lacote

26 Aug 2024 at 09:39 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It was difficult to follow the route at the start and on the descent after the ridge. Otherwise, a very lovely viewpoint, with beautiful natural surroundings (flora, fauna, etc.)

Machine-translated

redhome27

28 Aug 2023 at 11:26 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s true that section 1 can be a bit confusing, unless you enjoy running around like a wild boar, but there are loads of paths – I must not have found the right one… It’s worth noting that for 2 to 4, it’s either a forest track or a path that’s been ruined by the foresters. After that, the whole ridge is absolutely stunning (the path where you have to watch your step, and the view!)
I wasn’t able to try out the alternative routes suggested by Obiou 38: next time.
Thank you for this lovely route, with no herds!

Machine-translated

Obiou38

17 Oct 2019 at 16:34 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A truly lovely route where the autumn colours add an extra touch of charm to this mainly woodland walk. And what views from the ridge!

As for the route description, I’m a bit confused between (1) (a little before that, to be precise) and (2). Firstly, the start of the path ‘at 1,049 m’ is situated a little higher than indicated on the map (1,059 m on my altimeter), which caused me to hesitate a little. It’s worth noting that there are also two cairns there. Next, I didn’t quite understand the logic behind the suggested route, with that unnecessary off-trail section. For my part, I left the first path on the left (the return route) in favour of a second one marked by a Blue Cross at its start. It’s a bit steep but easily joins the main track at around 1,180m (as indicated on the route map, in fact! ). It’s also worth noting that slightly further up, a new path (marked by a cairn at its start) climbs up to rejoin the track, not far above (2).

After that, there are no issues with the route. As for the climb up the track to Le Pinier, I’d expected it to be more gruelling and steeper than it actually was. The rest of the ridge, which has a few tracks, is enjoyable without being technical. And the descent from La Penne couldn’t be easier to follow (6).

For the final section, I’ll take a few different routes to those shown on the map. So, when I reach the ravine, I won’t go down it but will instead continue along the very beautiful level (or rather slightly downhill) path. It rejoins the track between (7) and (2) and continues straight ahead (cairn and blue line). It then gently rejoins the main track at 1059m. And further on, a new path begins, quickly reaching a fork. Taking the right-hand fork, it leads out into a field; then, heading east, the markings with two blue lines lead back to the ford.

Machine-translated