Tête de la Plane and Dent de Gigors

From Sisteron, take the D951 towards La-Motte-du-Caire, continue past the Col de Sarrault, then reach the village of Gigors 3 km further on. Park at Place de l’Église.

(S/E) Walk up the main road D951 towards the west, in the direction of Sisteron, for 700 m, until you reach the junction with the Gigors forest track, where you will find the Les Aires signpost.

(1) Take this track to the left and follow it to the first hairpin bend.

(2) A few metres past the barrier, leave the track and take the path on the right which climbs through the woods until it rejoins the track. Cross it again at the Gaudissart signpost.

(3) Take the path on the right, which continues its ascent through the undergrowth to the Refuge du Jas and the Source du Jas signpost.

(4) Pass the refuge and, below it, a new small forest track starts on the right. Climb up to reach, shortly afterwards, an old track which you should take on the left. 300 m further on, it turns into a path and climbs up to the Carrefour de la Plane signpost, the highest point of the hike.
Caution: there are a few tricky sections on this stretch that require some care, but the route is made easier by handrails.

(5) Head right towards the summit of the Tête de la Plane to enjoy the orientation table and the superb panorama over the Turriers plain.

(6) Return to the previous junction.
Turn right towards La Dent de Gigors. Once there, turn right and continue on to quickly reach the signpost for the Ubac de Gigors.

(7) Take the path opposite to reach Le Bosquet.

(8) Cross the forest track and continue down the path. Then cross the Riou-Clair stream and join the Chemin des Champs, which leads to Rue de la Fontaine.
Turn right through the passageway under the houses to reach the car park at Place de l'Église (S/E).

During the warmer months, the forest, carpeted with leaves and grass, provides welcome shade.
(4) Water point at the fountain near the Refuge du Jas.

Orchids, including the Lady’s Slipper.
Several varieties of orchids can be seen along the route, including the most iconic, the Lady’s Slipper, which has three sepals and three petals, one of which is extremely large and forms the ‘slipper’.
Please note: this species is protected; picking them is strictly prohibited.
After (5) The Tête de la Plane orientation table.
The highest point of the hike (1,446 m), offering a panoramic view of over 180° across the peaks of the Dévoluy, Écrins, Queyras, Ubaye and Mercantour ranges.
The signpost was installed in 2017.