Circuit of the Breis summit and the Rancoumas viewpoint, starting from Trigance

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A very beautiful walk, best done in spring or autumn. The ascent follows the PR® route up the slope of the Colle de Breis to make the most of the morning sun: this is therefore the opposite direction to the route already published on Visorando. This is followed by a return trip to the Rancoumas viewpoint, which overlooks the Gorges du Verdon. Finally, return via the GR®49 in the afternoon sun, passing through the hamlet of Entreverges and then beneath the rocky outcrop of the Serrière du Preil.

Details

n°108715043
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.34 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,752 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,732 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,780 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,539 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the entrance to the village of Trigance.

(S/E) Enter the village and head to the small square with the fountain.

(1) Take the street on the left, walk past the post office, then first turn right then left to leave the village.

(2) Follow the PR® (yellow markings) by turning right. Enjoy a lovely climb through a forest of magnificent maritime pines, up the slope of the Colle de Breis, to soak up the morning sun filtering through the pine tops. Join a track.

(3) Follow this track, heading to the left. Take a sharp left-hand bend and climb one final slope to reach the Crête de Casseyère.

(4) Continue to the left: the path narrows and winds its way between rocky outcrops towards the Sommet de Breis, which you’ll leave to your left. Join a track and the GR® 49 at a hairpin bend.

(5) Take the fairly steep track downhill to the right.

(6) Leave the GR®49, which heads off to the right, and carry on straight ahead to reach a sort of clearing (Encastel).

(7) Take a narrow, barely visible drovers' road uphill to the right through the vegetation. You’ll soon reach a limestone plateau where the road leads straight on towards the Rancoumas viewpoint and the Gorges du Verdon: if you lean carefully over the sloping rock, you can see the bottom of the gorges and the torrent, which you can hear. You may also spot vultures, whose shadows fall upon the cliff opposite. There is a cave near the viewpoint, marked on the map, but we were unable to find it, perhaps due to the dense vegetation.

(8) On the way back, take the same drovers' road in the opposite direction towards the track. Follow this drovers' road uphill (it’s tough going!) until you reach the junction with the PR®.

(5) Continue to the right along the track which climbs through the forest, following the dual signposting for the GR®49 and the PR®. You’ll reach a clearing that’s perfect for a picnic break after the tough climb up the track.

(9) Carry on straight ahead, heading downhill towards Entreverges (no patous reported). You can then enjoy the afternoon sun.

(10) As you leave the hamlet, leave the track that heads straight on and take the path on the left (GR®/PR®).

(11) A little further down the slope, heading towards the Crête de la Serrière du Preil, this path turns into a narrow track through vegetation consisting mainly of oak and boxwood: a lovely view over the north-east of the Var towards the Alpes-Maritimes.

(12) Turn right towards the D90. Join the road and follow it, turning left towards the village. Pass the Chapelle Saint-Roch on your left and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,543 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 2,589 ft - Village square – fountain
  3. 2 : mi 0.41 - alt. 2,694 ft - Start of the PR® route: village exit
  4. 3 : mi 2.05 - alt. 3,097 ft - Arrival on the track
  5. 4 : mi 2.78 - alt. 3,415 ft - Ridge walk
  6. 5 : mi 3.55 - alt. 3,615 ft - Junction with the GR®49
  7. 6 : mi 3.71 - alt. 3,442 ft - Downhill track – leave the GR®
  8. 7 : mi 3.95 - alt. 3,251 ft - Encastel
  9. 8 : mi 4.27 - alt. 3,182 ft - View of the Verdon Gorges from the - Belvédère de Rancoumas
  10. 9 : mi 5.4 - alt. 3,720 ft - Clearing
  11. 10 : mi 5.82 - alt. 3,586 ft - Entreverges, on the left
  12. 11 : mi 6.31 - alt. 3,474 ft - Trail
  13. 12 : mi 7.76 - alt. 2,726 ft - Turn right at the fork
  14. S/E : mi 8.34 - alt. 2,539 ft - Arrival / return: Car park

Notes

  • Public toilets are available at the car park.
  • The main part of the walk (apart from the short drovers' road to the Rancoumas viewpoint) follows signposted paths (PR®, then GR®49/PR®).
  • It is advisable to have a picnic at the start of the return journey, for example at the clearing (9) after walking back up the track, as doing so whilst still digesting would be difficult, even if you are tempted to have it at the Rancoumas viewpoint.

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.

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