Pic de la Farnéiréta via the Col de la Noire

Access: Follow the road from Saint-Véran south-eastwards, then turn right onto the Route du Villard and, continuing along this road, follow the Route de Clausis for 5 km to the car park situated below the old marble quarry, just before the Clausis Chapel.
This unpaved but easily passable road is closed during the summer holidays between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm (July and August). During this period and outside these hours, a shuttle bus runs to the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, head up the track towards the south-east

(1) Cross the Clausis bridge and pass beneath the chapel of the same name. 200 metres after passing the chapel, a sign directs you to continue along the track towards the Refuge de la Blanche and the Col de la Noire. The track climbs gently through the south-south-eastern then south-eastern pastures.

(2) At the Moutière crossroads, leave the track and take the path on the right towards the Col de la Noire. This leads to the next junction of signposted paths.

(3) At the sign for La Blanche, leave the Col Blanchet path on your left and take the Col de la Noire path on your right.
This path winds its way up through a boulder field beneath the Tête des Toillies before reaching a flat area at the foot of the Col de la Noire. Cross this grassy plateau, then follow a steep climb with tight hairpin bends to reach the Col de la Noire.

(4) From the pass, head westwards, following the ridge line of the peak’s southern face. To do this, pass the marbled rocks and follow the cairns.
Climb up a grassy area and, after negotiating a few steep sections that are occasionally slightly exposed, reach the summit bastion. Climb up the small gap to the right of the bastion and then reach the summit slab marked by its cairn.

(5) Return in the opposite direction via the same route to the marble quarry car park (S/E).

I’ve made a video, labelling the peaks, which shows the route and the atmosphere of this beautiful walk.

The final ascent to the summit requires a bit of care. The path tends to fade away at times, but the few cairns help you find your way along the ridge.

From the summit, on a clear day, the view stretching across the entire Alpine range is fabulous. Mont Blanc, Viso, Écrins, Ubaye, Cerces, Vanoise, the Swiss Valais, etc.

The green marble is reminiscent of that from the Maurin quarry, situated in the same area on the Ubaye side,
which was used to build the base of the altar at Napoleon I’s tomb at Les Invalides.
At the Col de la Noire, the marbled rocks, a magnificent green colour and weathered smooth by the elements, are truly beautiful.
On the Ubaye side, a seat has been carved out, allowing visitors to take a contemplative break with views of Mont de Salsa and the Bric de Rubren. An ideal spot for a picnic.