Mont Pepoiri, Petoumier and Lacs de Millefonts

To reach the starting point, head up the Vésubie valley to Saint-Martin-Vésubie. At the crossroads on the outskirts of the village, turn left towards Valdeblore and continue along the road to Col Saint-Martin. Take the Adrechas road on the right and follow it for about 1.7 km. Park on the side of the road just before a right-hand bend.

(S/E) Walk back down the small road to marker 91a.

(1) Follow the signs for Mont Pétoumier and go up the path through the conifer forest until you reach marker 91b.

(2) Continue towards Mont Pétoumier and reach marker 89.

(3) Follow the signs for Mont Pétoumier on the left. The landscape quickly opens up.You will see Saint-Martin-Vésubie below on the right and the Boréon and Fenestre massifs. You will reach a Y-junction.

(4) Take the path on the left and, after a few hairpin bends, you will reach the next crossroads.

(5) Leave the return trail on your right, continue straight ahead and reach the next intersection nearby.

(6) Turn left and reach the Baus de la Frema.

(7) The 360° view allows you to see the peak of Brec to the north, the La Colmiane ski area to the south, Audibergue and Cheiron to the west, and the peak of Gélas and Mont Grand Capelet to the east.
Descend to the previous junction.

(6) Continue on the left-hand path until you reach a fork.

(8) Continue straight ahead to climb the Tête du Brec, which is our next stop.

(9) You can now see Mont Pétoumier to the north-west. Veer slightly to the right of the trail to avoid the snowfields (still present at the end of May at 2,500 metres). Continue north-west. When you arrive, leave the main trail on the left to reach Mont Pétoumier.

(10) Enjoy the unobstructed view of Mont Pépoiri directly north. Return a few dozen metres back to the main trail, then follow the ridge line to the left for about 60 metres to reach the next intersection.

(11) Turn left towards the north-west and descend off the trail to reach Lac d'en Veillos.

(12) Continue downhill, following the stream on the left bank, then the right bank. You will come to a fork with the GR®52.

(13) Go up the path on the right to follow the GR®52, heading north to the Col de Veillos.

(14) Leave the GR®52 and follow the path on the left that leads to Lac Petit.

(15) Cross the stream on the left, then take the path on the right that passes above Lac Petit. Pass the smaller lake, then Lac Rond, which offers a magnificent view of Mont Pépoiri. You will arrive at a crossroads.

(16) Turn left to rejoin the GR®52 and head north to discover Lac Long and then Lac Gros before arriving at the Col de Barn.

(17) Leave the GR®52 and follow the ridge line to the right, heading south-east. The climb becomes more difficult on this section. The trail gradually turns south and arrives at the next fork.

(18) Follow the path on the right and continue along the ridge line that leads to Mont Pépoiri. Enjoy the extraordinary panorama: the Argentera mountain range, from Gélas to the north and north-east.

(19) Take the trail on the left, which runs along the ridge and heads south to join the trails near Mont Pétoumier.

(11) Retrace your steps along the path you took on the way up, turn left at the next intersection and return to the Tête du Brec. Continue in the opposite direction to the way you came and return to the path junction near the Baus de la Frema.

(8) Leave the route you took on the way up, turn left, and after about 100 metres, cross the path you took on the way up.

(5) Continue straight ahead, following the signs for "Retour parking via ferrata". Please note that some sections with chains may be daunting if you are afraid of heights.(
) Continue the descent. After a left-hand bend, the trail widens and reaches the via ferrata car park.
Alternative: you can descend to the car park by following the same route you took on the way up.

(20) Just before, take the path on the right that leads to the bend in the road and return to the car park where you started (S/E).

There are water points all along the climb from the Lacs de Millefonts to the Col de Barn.

(5) For the return trip to the via ferrata car park, it is advisable to wear a helmet and harness for safety on some of the descent sections.

In the surrounding area, you can explore the village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Vénanson.

For activities, you can go skiing or try via ferrata at La Colmiane.