Circuit of the Fressinières cliffs

A walk around the cliffs overlooking the village of Fressinières, winding through rocky terrain and a beautiful forest higher up.

Please note: following the major fire in 2026, the paths may have been altered or some may be closed.

Details

754823
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,835 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,835 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,138 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,760 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park as close as possible to Le Plan at the entrance to Fressinières.

(S/E) In the hamlet (bread oven), take the path that climbs diagonally. Follow it to the next junction.

(1) Turn right onto the ascending path leading from the valley towards the Col de l’Aiguille (signposted).

(2) Leave this path and continue left towards the Crête de la Rortie along a lovely path that winds its way between rocks and cliffs before climbing up onto the plateau (large steps and a few easy climbing moves).

(3) Continue across the plateau and through the forest (viewpoint) to the junction leading back to Fressinières.

(4) Turn right and follow the Clot du Pu path along the plateau as it climbs towards a viewpoint. 500 metres further on, at a yellow signpost, leave the marked path.

(5) Turn right onto a small cairn-marked path that climbs to a pass, leading to a lovely meadow and Lac des Lauzes (dry in summer).

(6) Continue on to join theGR®® above you at the Col des Lauzes.

(7) Follow theGR®® as it descends and joins the road, which you follow to the left.

(8) After about 200m, turn left towards Les Aujards and then cross Les Roberts towards Fressinières. The path cuts across two bends in the road.

(9) Cross the upper part of the village towards Les Meyries (lower part of the village) via the D28 and cut across a hairpin bend to reach Les Meyries.

(10) Take the path back to Le Plan (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,760 ft - Le Plan (hamlet). Near the - Biaysse (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.54 - alt. 4,167 ft - Crossroads of footpaths
  3. 2 : mi 0.86 - alt. 4,521 ft - Turn left towards the Crête de la Rortie
  4. 3 : mi 1.63 - alt. 5,285 ft - Plateau
  5. 4 : mi 2.29 - alt. 5,384 ft - Crossroads towards Fressinières
  6. 5 : mi 3.29 - alt. 5,636 ft - Path on the right
  7. 6 : mi 3.85 - alt. 5,991 ft - Lac des Lauzes
  8. 7 : mi 3.95 - alt. 6,050 ft - GR - Col des Lauzes (1837m)
  9. 8 : mi 4.73 - alt. 5,479 ft - Path on the left
  10. 9 : mi 6.12 - alt. 3,986 ft - Fressinières
  11. 10 : mi 6.37 - alt. 3,835 ft - Les Meyries
  12. S/E : mi 6.87 - alt. 3,760 ft - Le Plan (hamlet)

Notes

Sturdy footwear.
A few steep sections on the way up where you’ll sometimes need to use your hands. That’s the only difficulty.

Worth a visit

The beautiful Fressinières valley and its hamlets, with the wild hamlet of Dormillouse in the background, accessible only on foot.
The cliff-top via ferrata, the first to be built in France.
Lac des Lauzes, which dries up in summer.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
mapigap
mapigap

WARNING: There has been a devastating fire in this area for several days. The site is inaccessible. It will take years to restore the site to its former beauty and make it safe again. 😭

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User 26528009

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Climbs with beautiful balconies. Located on the steepest section. Everything goes smoothly without much difficulty.
Beautiful variety of flowers and numerous butterflies. There was still water in the Lauze lake.

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pouget yves
pouget yves

It really is one of the most beautiful walks in the area, best enjoyed when the weather is fine.

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marila13
marila13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, undertaken whilst there were still some lovely snow-covered sections on the way to Lake Lauze. The views are magnificent all along the route, over the valleys and the mountains. The steep section isn’t difficult at all.

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