Mont des Merveilles and Grand Capelet from Gordolasque

Pass Belvédère and climb up the Vallon de la Gordolasque via the M171 to the Pont du Countet car park.

(S/E) Cross the bridge and turn right towards Pas de l'Arpette and Vallée des Merveilles. You will need to climb all the way up Vallon d'Empuonrame.

(1) Pass under the water pipe here and continue up the valley.

(2) At Pas de l'Arpette, descend a few metres after marker 402 and try to find a faint path that climbs northwards on your left. The easiest way is to aim for the imposing Mont des Merveilles, just opposite you, and approach it slowly. On its right, you will see a steep climb and a clearly visible path that you will need to take, so keep it in your sights.

(3) You will arrive just below Mont des Merveilles. The very stony path that climbs up is not always very stable, so stay as far to the right as possible where there is still some grass.

(4) There is no marked path here, but turn left to reach Mont des Merveilles.

(5) Once you reach the ridge, you will see cairns and a fairly visible path. Be careful, there is a tricky section before the summit cairn where you have to cross a crevasse by walking on a rock wedged between the two sides of the hole. Be very careful!

(6) You are now at the summit of Mont des Merveilles, which offers a magnificent view of the valley of the same name. Retrace your steps along the path on the ridge.

(5) Here, you can continue along the ridge until you see a cairn marking the descent to Capelet.

(7) The mountain is finally visible. From here, it is impossible to see the path leading up to it and it seems a little inaccessible. Descend due north, following the cairns, and you will also begin to see the Lacs des Conques lakes on your right.

(8) There is a short tricky section among the rocks, but it is not too difficult. A path descends to your left towards Gordolasque; continue climbing towards Capelet, following the cairns.

(9) Here, pay close attention to the cairns as the path branches off to the north. The elevation gain is quite significant, but you will quickly reach Mont du Grand Capelet. The path through the rocks is fairly easy to follow.

(10) You've finally reached the summit! You'll need to use your hands a little to reach the cairns at the top, but it's fairly easy and not at all dizzying. Enjoy the magnificent view, including the Lacs des Conques, Lacs des Merveilles, Lac Long Supérieur and Lac Fourca to the south-east, the Gordolasque valley to the west, and Lac du Basto to the north-east. On the way down, you can see the three Lacs de la Valmasque as you walk along the ridge.

The return journey will be via the same route as the outward journey to (S/E).

It is possible to return to the car park by making a circular loop via Lac Autier. Please note that this route is reserved for experienced walkers, particularly the Pas du Lac Autier, which is quite challenging.

There are several passages with unstable rocks, so good equipment is recommended.

Please note that metal-tipped walking sticks are prohibited in the Vallée des Merveilles.

There are few water sources, the last one on the way up being in the Vallon d'Epuonram, halfway between the passage under the water pipe and the Pas de l'Arpette. You can't miss it, you have to cross it.