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Departure from the car park about 1 km after the hamlet of Les Borels: on the left, just after crossing a bridge over the Drac and before the hamlet of Les Fermonds.
(S/E) Set off on the track to descend towards the hamlet of Les Borels, following the right bank of the Drac. This section allows you to warm up before starting the climb into the woods.
(1) Turn right towards the picnic area and take the track that climbs into the woods
(2). A sign points towards Prés du Clot on a small path that stays close to the trail. This path climbs steeply and avoids staying on the trail, which climbs sharply in a straight line.
The path eventually rejoins the track at a less steep spot overlooking the torrent
(3). Turn left towards Col de la Venasque/Tour de Planure. From there, follow the yellow and red markings and Tour de Planure. The path begins to climb again in switchbacks, still in the forest; moreover, being on a north-facing slope, it is well shaded in the morning, which is pleasant on an uphill climb.
(4) A sign indicates Planure at 700m; from there, you can turn right onto a very small unmarked path that leads to the start of the waterfall, at the edge of the stream.
Given the height of the waterfall, do not venture onto this path in wet or foggy conditions.
Please note: to reach the edge of the waterfall, you must be equipped with a rope and harness.
(5) From the waterfall, retrace your steps.
(4) Turn right to continue the climb. Gradually, you will begin to emerge from the woods and get a good view of the cirque.
(6) Leave the path coming from Col de la Venasque on your left and head right towards Col de la Côte Longue / Tour de Planure. The path becomes less clearly marked. Shortly after the crossroads, it crosses dry streams (early September) and sometimes runs alongside these streams in the riverbed, so keep an eye out for the cairns. The path re-enters the forest.
(7) Leave the path that climbs to Col de la Venasque on your left and continue straight ahead.
(8) When you leave the forest, there is an alternative route that takes you to the resurgence. In this case, leave the trail and cut across the pastures. Climb in a north-easterly direction.
(9) Climb while taking a step back from the cirque, which provides a beautiful panorama for a well-deserved snack break. Then head towards the resurgence to find a very small, faint trail to follow on the left. Please note that this path crosses pastures with animals (more present in September), hence the presence of a shepherd's hut. Reach the resurgence (elevation 2169).
(10) Retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.
(9) Continue straight ahead, walk past the Jas des Pierres hut and turn right to rejoin the path you left at the edge of the forest.
(11) Continue downhill to the left towards the Refuge du Tourond.
(12) Pass the refuge (renowned for its hospitality and cuisine... but a little too late for us). A little further down, at the crossroads, keep left to descend to the opposite bank of the path you took on the way up.
Continue downhill along the Tourond stream to reach the hamlet of Les Fermonds via a small chapel.
(13) Cross the hamlet. At the first hairpin bend after the exit, cut across the tarmac road to descend directly to the car park (S/E).
). In the afternoon, the descent is via the left bank.
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
