Circuit of the Pierre Éclatée ridge starting from Bayasse

The start is in Bayasse; to get there from Barcelonette, head towards Uvernet Fours, then climb towards the Col de la Cayolle for 15 km via Les Georges du Bachelard. It is best to park on the left at the entrance to the village, before the bridge that crosses the Bachelard near Bayasse.

(S/E) Start the hike by taking the Col de la Cayolle road (D 902), cross the bridge and climb^{up to the first} hairpin bend.

(1) Leave the road and take the path heading due west, following the yellow and yellow/blue markings. Climb gently, beneath the larch and deciduous trees, to the Riou de la Saume bridge.

(2) Cross the stream via the bridge – take care here: this is the only tricky section as the bridge consists of wooden logs with no handrails or ropes to hold on to. Follow the path as it heads due south via numerous hairpin bends. Keep a distance from the left bank of the stream. Move closer to it at the Cabane de la Saume on the opposite bank.

(3) Continue the ascent, then begin a new series of hairpin bends until you reach the Vallon de la Grande Saume, following the well-marked path, the signposts and the cairns.

(4) Continue the climb, now on a gentler slope. Stay on the left bank of the Riou de la Saume and make your way between the grassy areas and scree. Climb up to the final ridge, which you must go round via the top, then reach the Col des Esbéliousses.

(5) Descend opposite to quickly reach the junction of^{the GR®56}, which shares the route with the^GRP® Tour du Haut Verdon.

(6) Turn left here and follow the red and white markings; after a few hairpin bends, you’ll reach the Ravin de la Grande Cayolle stream and then the Cayolle hut.

(7) Continue the descent to reach the Col de la Cayolle road, the D902.

(8) Head down to the left, then leave the road to stay on the GR^®. Cross the road further on and follow the^GR® running parallel to the road. You’ll reach a footbridge over the Ravin de Sanguinettes stream.

(9) Cross the bridge and continue on to Bayasse, then head left to the car park at the entrance to the village (S/E).

(S/E) Accommodation available in Bayasse.
(S/E) Bread and local beer. Please note, the bakery is not always open, so check beforehand.
Between (4) and (5), there are numerous springs in the Grande Saume valley.

(4) Grande Saume valley: numerous chamois and/or ibex
(5) Col des Esbéliousses: take the opportunity to view the north face of Mont Pelat, which rises to 3,051 m, to the south-south-west.
(6) At the^GR® junction: Alternative route option – you can head up the^GR® to the right (an additional 200 m climb) to admire, from the Col du Petit Talon, Le Cimet (3,020 m) and its eponymous lake just below the pass. Allow an extra half an hour for the return journey.