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Drive up the D25 from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye towards Maljasset. Then, after passing the hamlet of Les Hugues and after the second hairpin bend, turn right onto the small road towards Fouillouse. Parking is compulsory at the entrance to the village.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the tarmac road uphill and then walk through the village.
This quickly turns into a lane and leads, at the end of the village past the hamlet of Le Serret, to a signposted junction.
(1) At the signpost, turn 90° to the left onto the Chambeyron path.
The path climbs northwards then follows a long north-westerly traverse through juniper thickets to reach the Cloutasses crossroads.
(2) At the signpost, turn right towards the mountain refuge.
The path winds in wide hairpin bends, offering stunning views first of the Pic de Panestrel and the Pics de la Font Sancte, then of the Brec de Chambeyron.
It then turns eastwards, following an almost level path beneath the Bec Roux towards the Brec de Chambeyron.
After a rocky section that takes you round the ridges of the Tête Viturière, it descends gently towards the Chambeyron refuge, overlooking Lac Premier opposite the imposing Brec de Chambeyron.
(3) At the refuge signpost, take the north-easterly path towards Lac des Neuf Couleurs and the Col de la Gypière.
The path passes the old Jean Coste refuge and soon reaches a Fork in the road; take the right-hand path, as the left-hand path climbs to the Pas de la Souvagea.
It climbs through scree and passes close to Lac Rond, visible on the left, before skirting Lac Long.
Once past the lake, the gradient eases and the path becomes easier to walk on across a gently undulating plateau which leads eastwards to Lac des Neuf Couleurs, nestled in its basin at the foot of the Fréma.
(4) From the signpost at the lake, head southwards up the path towards the Col de la Gypière.
Reach the pass via a steep climb up the hillside beneath the Brec de Chambeyron.
(5) At the signpost on the pass, take the path eastwards towards the Tête de la Fréma.
On the ascent, take the path on the right, which is sunnier on the southern slope.
This climbs steeply, crosses a precipitous section and then continues its ascent along the slope on the Italian side.
Follow a ledge to the left, then a second ledge to the right, to reach the summit slab adorned with its ornate cross.
(6) Return in the opposite direction via the same route to your car park (S/E).
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Very difficult 
Moderate 
Easy 
