Senez - La Clappe

(S) Departure from the Lodge l'Azimut in Senez. When leaving the lodge, take the path immediately to the left as you exit. Then continue on a very slight incline on the^GR®®406to reach the hamlet of Chaurits. An easy descent takes you to the Ravin du Riou d'Ourgeas.

(1) Cross this stream to begin a new climb, cutting across the Route Forestière d'Ourgeas. Keep heading north-west to reach the banks of the Asse de Blieux river. Pass Coulet Pointu then cross the river to reach the Route Napoléon crossroads at the entrance to Barrême.

(2) Cross it and enter the village via the main street, the Grand Rue. Reach the Grande Allée crossroads.

(3) Turn 90° to the left, then left and right to begin a long climb, first up the Montée Saint-Jean and then into the Forêt Domaniale des Trois Asses, still following the red and white^GR®®406trail. This will take you to the end of the track.

(4) Continue on the^{GR®® trail}, ignoring the paths branching off to the right and left, until you reach the signpost marked Pied Marcellin.

(5) Turn right onto the forest track to reach the highest point of this climb, marked by the Col de Chaudon signpost.

(6) Switch to the opposite side and descend gently, passing Ravin de la Chaume to reach Source de l'Arène and its waterfalls. Continue west, passing a chapel, then reach the village of Chaudon.

(7) Descend through the village, cross the D20 and take the path (still the^GR®®406) towards La Bourgea. Here, begin a new climb, rejoin the D20 and follow it to the highest point, a crossroads.

(8) Here, there are two possible routes to reach the La Clappe estate:

Route 1: - keep right on the D20 road, a longer but safer route that takes you back to the^GR®®406at the crossroads at point 11 after passing through the Ravin de Tuve and the Col de Corobin. This route is strongly recommended in case of rain.
or

Route 2: - keep left, as on the map, on the^GR®® but be careful: check the condition of the route beforehand, as some sections are very steep with a real risk of slipping, especially in wet weather.

(9) Turn right at a 90° angle to pass a tricky section where the path has collapsed over a few metres. It has been reinforced but this section can be daunting. Pass Les Reichasses and reach Ravin des Vas via a final descent, with very slippery and steep sections through robines, grey marl, a kind of dark grey, deeply eroded chaos where you can make out alternating sedimentary formations on the heights.

(10) Cross the ford and continue slightly uphill to reach the D20 crossroads.

(11) Here, at the meeting point of the two routes, take the road on the left to reach the Domaine de la Clappe (E), the end of today's stage.

Duration: 8 hours
(9) For those who do not feel comfortable on the^GR®®, which is understandable as it is quite rough, we recommend staying on the D20, especially in case of rain. It is longer, about 3 km instead of 1.8 km, with a little more elevation gain, and more tedious on a winding tarmac road, but much less daunting and risky for those who are not comfortable on steep and slippery terrain. This is also the route recommended in the leaflet available at the Espace Napoléon.

Between (2) and (3) Small village grocery store selling vegetables, cold meats and cheeses. We buy what we need for our lunch. We pick up the rest at the bakery, which sells good country bread, opposite the church, a little further on.

(E) Domaine de la Clappe. Contact: Telephone: 06 21 31 39 10, email: domainedelaclappe@gmail.com.

(E) The lodge: basic but clean, twin rooms, shared bathroom facilities. Very friendly welcome from a young mother who is changing her life plans. The evening meal, served in the garden, was very good and comforting, with a stew cooked by the young mother's father. Basic breakfast, but good original jams.
Packed lunches are provided on request for stage 6 the next day (good rice salad). Useful as there will be no refreshments along the way.

(7) Just before Chaudon, there is a pretty little chapel by the side of the road.
(7) In the square in Chaudon, there is a fountain with fresh, drinkable water for refilling your water bottles, which is useful for the rest of the journey.
(10) Take care when crossing the Ravin des Vas before arriving at La Clappe; see the description and choice of route. It is strongly recommended that you check the condition of the GR®^®.