This walk is part of the trek Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range.
The most demanding stage of the hike during which you'll go through at least 4 passes at over 2700 metres in altitude. Beautiful scenery all along the way! The "Lacs Marinet" offer the opportunity for refreshments before the final descent.
Calculated time: 7h10[?] 
Distance : 17.13km
Vertical gain : 808m
Vertical drop : 1517m
Highest point : 2937m
Lowest point : 1906m 
Difficulty : Very difficult
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Areas : Alps, Ubaye Valley 
Location : Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye
(04530)
Starting point : N 44.530233° / E 6.835923° 
Arrival : N 44.593111° / E 6.842659° 
Starting from Refuge du Chambeyron.
(S) Head north on the GRP "Tour du Chambeyron".
(1) At high point 2628, head off to the right, up towards Lac Long. Go around the left-hand side of the lake. Then take a right keeping to the foot of the debris cones. Head east until you get to Lac des Neuf Couleurs.
(2) Next take a sharp right turn (south) and head up a steep and windy trail. At the end of the bends, reach Col de la Gypière from the side, to the east.
(3) Cross over to the southern slope of the pass and head strait downhill. As the slope gets smoother, head left towards Bivouac Barenghi.
(4) Keep heading south within a mineral landscape. Go around a rocky ridge, circling around to the left hand side. Head north-east, going through a grassy area and reaching Colle dell' Infernetto.
(5) At Colle dell' Infernetto, locate what seems to be a wall from afar to the north: that's the climb to Colle di Ciaslaras, the next passage point of this stage... In the meantime, start heading down the Colle dell' Infernetto: it's a narrow trail, with lots of bends and handrails to help you through the tricky parts. You'll reach a grassy area which is just about level. Keep heading north. At the change of gradient, the climb to the pass is carried out on scree.
(6) Keep going north and head downhill on scree. Turn right (north-west) reaching Col de Marinet.
(7) Head north on a trail outlined on the slope directly below a ridge to the right-hand side (La Roche Noire on the IGN map). Get to the southern end of the largest of the Lacs de Marinet.
(8) Go around the left-hand side of the lake and go along the right bank of the smallest lake. Keep heading north then turn right to cross the lake's glacial rock bar on the way down. Head east regaining the GRP "Tour du Chambeyron" and "Tour du Bric de Rubren" trail.
(9) Take the trail to the left. Head down towards a landscape with lawns. Go past Bergerie de Mary. You'll notice some renowned climbing schools on the slope opposite the small valley (to the left-hand side). You'll reach a wooded area where the trail gets a bit windy. Once you're out of the wooded area you'll reach Ubaye River.
(10) Cross Ubaye River and take the path to the left (west) leading up towards the church. Keep heading west, quickly reaching efuge de Maljasset.
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 2620m - Refuge du Chambeyron
1 : km 0.25 - alt. 2631m
2 : km 1.14 - alt. 2788m - Lac Long (Mercantour)
3 : km 2.55 - alt. 2845m - Lac des Neuf Couleurs
4 : km 3.17 - alt. 2927m - Col de la Gypière
5 : km 4.13 - alt. 2830m - Bivouac Barenghi
6 : km 6.2 - alt. 2722m - Colle dell' Infernetto
7 : km 8.27 - alt. 2931m - Colle di Ciaslaras
8 : km 9.09 - alt. 2784m - Col de Marinet
9 : km 10.63 - alt. 2550m - Bivouac du Marinet
10 : km 12.34 - alt. 2369m - Bergerie Supérieure du Marinet
11 : km 13.37 - alt. 2273m - Bergerie Inférieure de Mary
12 : km 16.36 - alt. 1911m
A : km 17.13 - alt. 1906m - Refuge de Maljasset
Refuge du Chambeyron: shelter open from April to September. Phone. : 04 92 84 33 83.
In Maljasset: shelter run by the C.A.F (French family allowance fund), open from June to November, catering. Phone 04 92 84 34 04.
No drinking water sources during the trek apart from at the shelters so bring water supplies with you.
It's a long stage so best not be cut off guard by bad weather along the way: don't hesitate to leave very early morning.
1/25000 scale map is a must. A compass wouldn't hurt...
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
An outstanding high mountain setting.
Lac des Neuf Couleurs. Lacs de Marinet (possibility to swim in the summer).
5.56km
+672m
-672m
3h30
Difficult
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+4162m
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5 days
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6.21km
+757m
-13m
3h55
Average
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19.83km
+1509m
-1510m
10h00
Very difficult
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14.93km
+736m
-1011m
6h20
Difficult
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Quite a long stage but a steady route. A climb up to Col de Mary then a long downhill hike all the way to the shelter, in Chiaperra, Italy.
13.65km
+1189m
-1136m
7h20
Very difficult
Starting point in Acceglio - Province de Cuneo Last stage of this trek around Chambeyron mountain range, taking you back to France through Col de Sautron. You'll find yourself in superb wildlife setting when arriving at the pass.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
