Tête de la Fréma

Hike to a very accessible 3,000-metre peak on the border, offering a beautiful panoramic view of
Italy and the high peaks of the Ubaye.
The route is enhanced by visits to several lakes, including the Neufs Couleurs lake nestled in its basin
at the foot of the Fréma, Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron.

Details

383486
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.40 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,256 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,255 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,122 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,873 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the D 25 from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye towards Maljasset. After passing the hamlet of Les Hugues and after the second hairpin bend, take the small road on the right towards Fouillouse. Parking is compulsory at the entrance to the village.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the tarmac road up and through the village.
This quickly turns into a lane and leads to the end of the village after the hamlet of Serret to a signposted crossroads.

(1) At the sign, turn 90° to the left onto the Chambeyron path.
The trail climbs northwards and then makes a long north-westerly traverse through juniper bushes to reach the Cloutasses crossroads.

(2) At the sign, turn right towards the refuge.
The trail winds its way up, offering stunning views of Pic de Panestrel and Pics de la Font Sancte, as well as Brec de Chambeyron.
It then heads eastwards, crossing on an almost horizontal path under the Bec Roux in the direction of the Brec de Chambeyron.
After a rocky section that allows you to bypass the Tête Viturière ridges, it gently descends towards the Chambeyron refuge, overlooking Lac Premier opposite the imposing Brec de Chambeyron.

(3) At the refuge sign, take the north-east path towards Lac des Neuf Couleurs and Col de la Gypière.
The trail passes in front of the old Jean Coste refuge and quickly reaches a fork where you should take the right-hand trail, with the left-hand trail climbing up to Pas de la Souvagea.
It climbs up the scree and passes close to Lac Rond, visible on the left, then runs alongside Lac Long.
After passing the lake, the slope levels out and the path becomes easier on a slightly undulating plateau that leads eastwards to Lac des Neuf Couleurs, nestled in its basin at the foot of Fréma.

(4) From the lake sign, head south up the path towards Col de la Gypière.
Follow a steep climb up the side of the Brec de Chambeyron to reach the pass.

(5) At the pass sign, take the path eastwards towards Tête de la Fréma.
On the climb, take the path on the right, which is sunnier on the southern slope.
This trail climbs steeply, crosses a steep passage and then continues its ascent on the Italian side.
Take a ledge on the left followed by a second ledge on the right to reach the summit slab adorned with its ornate cross.

(6) Return in the opposite direction via the same route to your parking spot (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,874 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 1,913 m - Crossroads, Chambeyron path
  3. 2 : km 1.58 - alt. 2,070 m - Cloutasses trail junction
  4. 3 : km 6.32 - alt. 2,619 m - Trail junction at > - Refuge du Chambeyron
  5. 4 : km 9.03 - alt. 2,847 m - Lac des Neuf Couleurs
  6. 5 : km 9.66 - alt. 2,928 m - Col de la Gypière
  7. 6 : km 10.2 - alt. 3,122 m - Tête de la Fréma
  8. S/E : km 20.4 - alt. 1,874 m - Car park

Notes

I made a video with the names of the summits, showing the route and the waypoints
of this route.

I have marked the ascent to the summit on the French side on the IGN map.
However, in the guidebook, I recommend taking the path on the southern Italian side, which is not shown on the map because it has less snow at the beginning and end of the season.
You will therefore have to rely solely on the guidebook for the summit ascent from the pass. GPS is useless for this part.

This relatively long route can be completed in two days.
On the first day, climb to the Chambeyron refuge.
On the second day, climb to the summit and return to Fouillouse.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Dear fellow hikers, thank you for posting your reviews on this wonderful route, which remains very accessible.

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La Sand
La Sand

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The trail is really very pleasant with easy terrain up to the Lake of Nine Colours. Then it gets a little steeper towards the summit, but it's not difficult for experienced hikers. The Brec de Chambeyron is almost omnipresent during the hike. From the summit, there is a breathtaking view, especially of the Aiguille de Chambeyron just opposite. Not being from the area, I also particularly enjoyed Fouillouse and the little "Place des Amoureux" with its small handcrafted decorations, especially the one of the Little Prince. On the way back, shortly after the Fouillouse and Maljasset crossroads, there is a breathtaking view of the Châtelet bridge as you descend. As for the duration of the hike, it depends on many factors. Hiking weekly and on significant elevation changes, I was well trained and at this time of year, without snow, it took me a little over 7 hours, including breaks.

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike with varied landscapes. We stopped at the Nine Colours Lake, without seeing the different shades😀

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Jacques1950
Jacques1950

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One option for the descent: at Lac du Lac Long, head towards Pas de la Couleta (signposted). This will take you to Fouillouze. This is an alternative route so you don't have to descend via the same path.

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icathou
icathou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I can confirm that this is a very beautiful and long hike.
On the way back after Lac Long, you can take the path on the left and reach Pas de la Couleta. This path, which is part of the Tour du Chambeyron, is much wilder and offers views over Lac Premier and the Chambeyron refuge – a total of 21 km with an elevation gain of 1,516 m. My personal time: 8.5 hours.

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Thierry.13
Thierry.13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route despite the lakes being somewhat dry. The head of the Frema is well worth the detour. However, my Visorando GPS gave me 15 km for 7 hours, including breaks.

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oliver ze trailer
oliver ze trailer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with superb landscapes and lakes.
The climb up to the Tête de la Fréma from the Lac des 9 Couleurs is steep but not technically difficult.
The return to Fouillouse can be made via the Pas de la Couleta from the Chambeyron refuge.

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Olive83270
Olive83270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike

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ardechom
ardechom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We went on a superb day-long hike. Magnificent lakes, splendid panoramas, and the majestic Brec de Chambeyron! A real treat.
We took the Italian side trail because of the strong wind, as this side is a little more sheltered!
Thank you to the author for this description and for the video as well.

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Néomina
Néomina

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. Precise description, no problems with the route. Very beautiful landscapes.
It's a shame that the view on the Italian side was obscured when I did it.

Thank you and well done on your website.

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