Refuge de la Pare, Soleil Bœuf and Crête des Cognetons

From Barcelonnette, take the Saint-Pons road and park in the car park in the hamlet of La Frache.

(S/E) Cross the Riou Bourdoux and turn left onto the path running along the left bank of the stream. At^{the third} hairpin bend, leave the wide path and take the trail on the right which leads to the car park at Tréou.
(1) Continue almost opposite on the botanical trail, alternating with the track. Join the car park at the Maison Forestière des Dalis.

(2) Follow the track to the left, then head north until you reach the^GR®®6-56crossroads.

(3) Take it on the right, keeping to the track that runs alongside it to reach the Refuge de la Pare.

(4) Stay on the^GR®®, which is now a trail. Walk east until you reach the switchbacks that lead to the junction of several trails at Riou Chamous.

(5) Cross this stream, leave the^GR®® here and take the path opposite, which goes around the Maits Hautes and the Tête de Rasinière. Pass the Crête de Rasinière and you will come to another crossroads.

(6) Take the right-hand trail and descend south to reach Soleil Bœuf.

(7) Continue south and follow two wide left-right switchbacks before reaching the end of a track.

(8) Take the almost horizontal path on the right and head towards Rocher Blanc.

(9) Turn right to walk along the edge of the Crête de Soleil Bœuf.
Be careful here: the path is less visible. It is advisable to follow the route on the map closely.
Enter a wooded area, pass two springs before reaching the Source de Soleil Bœuf near the Torrent de Saint-Paul.

(10) Cross it and a few metres further on you will find a track. Follow it straight ahead, heading west, to reach a hut.

(11) Change direction and head south to reach the torrent.

(12) Follow it at a distance, staying on this path and ignoring the paths branching off to the right and left, until you reach the track below Basse Chalanche.

(13) Take the path on the right to reach the crossroads on the Crête de Chalanche.

(14) Turn left to walk along the Crête des Cognetons and enjoy beautiful views, reaching the place called Puy Haut.

(15) Take the track opposite and follow it to return to the La Frache car park (S/E).

(4) For lunch, there is the Refuge de la Pare. We recommend leaving around 9:30 a.m. to arrive at the refuge around noon.
You will need good walking shoes and a bottle of water for this hike.

(7) If you are paragliding, you can take off from Soleil Bœuf as indicated, but you will need to check the wind direction as you will be taking off either on the east or west slope. You can land in the Chaup field (in the middle of a racecourse). For more information, contact the Ubaye Parapente school.