Serre des Aigles via Serre Lan

Access: From the roundabout near the Centre Commercial Nord in Briançon, take the N94 towards Italy, then, on the uphill stretch, turn left towards the hospital. After passing the hospital, head down the road to the left towards Grenoble. Take the third road on the right, the D232T ‘route du Poët Ollagnier’, towards Serre Lan and the Croix de Toulouse. As you leave the hamlet, park on the right-hand side of the lane. (Space for 5 to 6 vehicles)

(S/E) From the Serre Lan car park, take the^GR®5calternative route heading east. After two hairpin bends, the track turns south-east and climbs gently through a forest of Scots pine and larch. This track, which can also be driven up in a 4x4, leads to a plateau with a radio relay station situated near the Croix de Toulouse viewpoint, the finishing point of the famous Briançon Via Ferrata.

(1) On the plateau, take a sharp left-hand bend and continue along the^GR®5c. The path winds its way up beneath the Crête de la Pinée ridge and then along the hillside before reaching Fort de l’Enrouye or Fort de Malafosse.

(2) After a short descent along this path, reach the ridge line and cross the small pass or gap linking the Crête du Pinet to the Crête de Malefosse.
The view opens out onto the eastern peaks, and you can see Mont Chaberton, Montgenèvre and the Piedmont.
Climb up the rocky ridge of Malefosse until you reach the Croix du Serre des Aigles.
During this ascent, follow the path carefully, particularly at the point where you come across two cairns and where you must remember to turn right.

(3) Return via the same route in the opposite direction to the car park (S/E).

I’ve made a video that captures the atmosphere of this route.

This route complements the Peyrolle ridges route well. These two routes allow you, in two outings,
to explore the entire ridges.

The walk is entirely on paths. However, the^GR® passes through rocky sections with steep gradients, particularly along the jagged Malefosse ridge.
You’ll need to climb a series of steps and may occasionally need to use your hands a little.