Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge

de fr

One- or two-day hike through the pastures.

Details

n°2690713
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 998 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,000 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,514 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,629 m
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Photos

Chemin du Curé
The ridges
View of the refuge
Col de la Croix du Bonhomme

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the small car park located a few dozen metres before the hamlet of La Gittaz.

(S/E) Head towards the chalets of La Gittaz, cross the stream on the footbridge (or wade across outside the season) and begin a short climb through the pasture towards the Col du Bonhomme. You will reach the entrance to a canyon where the path is carved into the rock.

(1) Continue straight ahead to cross the canyon. At the exit, you will need to wade across the stream to reach a new pasture with a sheepfold (La Sausse).

(2) Turn left (north) onto the winding path that climbs to Col du Bonhomme. Pass by another sheepfold at Les Cavets.

(3) Continue straight ahead to reach the Col du Bonhomme.

(4) Turn right, south-east, to walk along the Rocher du Bonhomme. After a while, the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme is clearly visible. Leave the path leading to the Col des Fours on your left and continue to the refuge.

(5) Turn right (south-west) towards Col de la Croix du Bonhomme.

(6) Follow the Crête des Gittes via theGR®5Tour du Beaufortin trail to reach the Col de la Sauce.

(7) Turn right, north-east, to descend directly to the Sausse sheepfold and then to the start of the path to Col du Bonhomme.

(2) Turn left and, following the same route as on the way up, return to the Gittaz car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,631 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Gittaz
  2. 1 : km 1.61 - alt. 1,883 m - Canyon
  3. 2 : km 2.6 - alt. 1,991 m - Bergerie de la Sausse
  4. 3 : km 3.47 - alt. 2,224 m - Bergerie des Cavets
  5. 4 : km 4.12 - alt. 2,332 m - Col du Bonhomme
  6. 5 : km 6.11 - alt. 2,445 m - Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
  7. 6 : km 6.55 - alt. 2,409 m - Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
  8. 7 : km 8.83 - alt. 2,302 m - Col de la Sauce
  9. S/E : km 13.35 - alt. 1,629 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Gittaz

Notes

The refuge can be a stopping point, but it must be booked in summer: https://refugecroixdubonhomme.ffcam.fr.

In summer, the mountain pastures are occupied by herds of cows and ibex: those hiking with a dog are asked to keep it on a leash.

Water is available throughout the hike except at the pass and on the ridges.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Bisserain73
Bisserain73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There are many people from the moment you join the GR5.

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Blin
Blin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike undertaken outside the overly crowded summer season. A multitude of beautiful panoramic views.
An easy hike with straightforward trails and manageable elevation changes.
I highly recommend this truly enjoyable outing.
Thanks to its creator.

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vincentcoquard
vincentcoquard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As described by some hikers, this magnificent route is very popular. For a Monday in September, we saw a lot of groups
of foreigners accompanied by guides. They were very respectful of the site, which was reassuring.
Let's hope that a pass won't soon have to be introduced to preserve the trail...

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nordique78
nordique78

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, best done in good weather to enjoy the scenery.
The first part consists of climbing and climbing 😄, the second part is on the ridges, which are not particularly difficult as there are two possible paths on the ridge itself or a less vertiginous path.
There are quite a few people at the Col du Bonhomme for picnics, but that's normal at this time of year and it's far from being crowded.
The descent is long and a bit tedious (like many descents) until you reach the Chemin du Curé.
Be careful on the access road, which is a forest track.

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besandre
besandre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with numerous water sources. No real difficulty, but the ridge crossing, although only slightly exposed, may still be unsettling for those who are very prone to vertigo. The suggested duration is a little long, closer to 5.5 hours. It was also a little crowded, but that's to be expected during the holidays and in good weather.

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phil26d
phil26d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike. The Chemin du Curé is impressive, the panoramic views from the mountain passes are magnificent, and the passage along the Gittes ridges, although a little exposed, does not present any real difficulties. Just pay attention and be careful. An absolute must-do.

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JMP13
JMP13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, the descent via the Crête des Gittes is dizzying, but the path is quite wide.

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jmbouteillier
jmbouteillier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike starting from the Plan de la Lai refuge. At this time of year, there are few visitors, making it a magnificent and fairly easy walk. The times indicated are approximate. The view is magnificent. The first colours of autumn are appearing.
There are a few slightly daunting sections on the ridge between the lodges, but the hike is accessible to all.

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