To take in the full spectrum of colours from the Pont de l’Alpe

Take the Col du Lautaret road (D1091) to the hamlet of Pont de l’Alpe, next to the village of Le Lauzet

(S/E) From the car park by the roadside, near the bridge, take the^GR® 50 which runs along the left bank of the Torrent du Rif and follow the path up to the small hamlet of Alpe du Lauzet. The path cuts across, then becomes a track suitable for vehicles.

(1) Keep to the left and continue along the track until you reach the chalets at Alpe du Lauzet.

(2) Turn left towards the footbridge crossing the Torrent du Rif. Leave the^GR®. At the three-way junction just after this, leave the Chemin du Roy on your left and take the path on the right which climbs up the Torrent du Plan Chevalier valley, then climbs more steeply at the bottom of this valley. You’ll reach a slightly technical section equipped with cables.

(3) Cross this, then in two stages, reach a small pass leading out onto the Grand Lac.

(4) Go round the Grand Lac on the right, heading to the far end of the lake. It is possible to climb straight up, but by staying on the banks, the views are more scenic and the climb is less steep. You’ll come out onto the^GR® 57.

(5) Turn left, heading due north, onto the^GR® 57 towards the Cabane à Graul (shepherd’s hut), then continue to Lac de la Ponsonnière.

(6) Walk round the lake on the right, then carry on along the^GR® 57 to the Col de la Ponsonnière.

(7) Leave the^GR® 57, which descends towards the Massif des Cerces, and head completely to the right, eastwards, along a balcony path that follows a very gently descending contour line. This path leads towards the Col des Béraudes / Col du Chardonnet. Pass by the Lacs des Crouserocs and arrive at the foot of the Pic de la Moulinière, easily recognisable thanks to its vibrant colours.

(8) Leave the path on the left which climbs to the Col des Béraudes, and continue to the right along the balcony path.
You’ll pass through a south-facing scree slope where sturdy footwear is advisable.

(9) Start climbing again through the scree, this time quite steeply. A little further up, look out for the entrance to the old mine with the large cable wheel that was used to transport graphite wagons down to the Guisane valley.

(10) From the mine, continue climbing up to the Col du Chardonnet Nord. You’ll reach a plateau with Lac de la Mine and, slightly further down, the Col du Chardonnet Sud, where you’ll join the^GR®57.

(11) Turn right onto the^GR®, which descends via numerous hairpin bends.

(12) Leave the^GR®57, which heads off to the right, and continue downwards by turning left, heading towards the Chalets de l’Alpe du Lauzet, where you’ll rejoin the^GR®50.

(13) Carry on straight ahead to cross the hamlet; a little further down, the path joins the track.

(1) Carry on straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

• Alternative route: stay on the^GR®50until (12), then turn left onto the^GR®57to reach (5).

• At (3), there is a slightly technical section equipped with cables.

• There is a fountain at the shepherd’s hut after the climb from the Grand Lac (5) at around 2,452 m.

• Part of the route runs through scree from (8) to (10): sturdy footwear is recommended.

• If you set off early in the morning, you’ll stay in the shade during the climb up to Grand Lac, which is very welcome in summer.

• Between (8) and (10), you’ll be on a ledge with unobstructed views throughout: between the vantage points and the multitude of colours, it’s a feast for the eyes.

• More information on the old mine:

http://www.paca.developpement-durable.go...
Summer 2021: the mine entrance door is open or has been forced open.
Extract from the link above: “The main gallery, or ‘travers banc’, was accessible to any walker and allowed visitors to venture deep into the mine through unstable areas. Given the archaeological significance of this former mine, the tunnel was to be closed off but not sealed shut; this is why it was secured by fitting a padlocked gate, the key to which will be entrusted to the municipality of Monetier-les-Bains.”