Refuge de la Cantonnière – Col de la Cayolle

If you’ve driven to the Refuge de la Cantonnière, you cannot leave your car in the refuge car park; you must park it in the car park at the next bend, 200 to 300 metres further on. Alternatively, walk to this bend by following the road.

Yellow markings from the start to the Col de la Cayolle.

(S) Take the path at the bend, then cross a wooden bridge. As you come out of the bridge, turn immediately left towards the Col de la Cayolle and follow the stream. Further up, the path passes under a stone bridge and then crosses the stream via a ford. Head towards the Gîte Forestier du Garret, visible on the left, then reach the junction marked with signpost 293.

(1) Turn left, then after a hairpin bend to the left, you’ll reach a junction with a signpost. Continue straight on to find a tapped spring.

(2) Follow the path on to the edge of a wooded area.

(3) Walk alongside the woodland, turning right and following a few hairpin bends to reach the junction marked by signpost 294.

(4) Turn right and follow the cliff-top path to the Col de la Cayolle, where it joins the^GR®56B.

Red and white markings

(5) Cross the road and walk alongside the car park, then take the^GR® to the right to reach the Refuge de la Cayolle, today’s stop (E).

There are no water sources or shelters, so check the weather forecast before setting off.
The estimated time given at the start of the “Col de la Cayolle” route – 1 hour 45 minutes – seems to me to be significantly underestimated. Personally, it took us 3 hours 5 minutes to complete this section.

To book accommodation at a mountain hut:
Refuge de la Cantonnière
Refuge de la Cayolle

One kilometre downstream from the Refuge de la Cantonnière, you can visit Lac d’Estenc and the source of the Var.