An afternoon with Mamé in Aiguilles

We set off from the car park, which serves both the local hospital and the primary school.

(S/E) Cross the road (at the pedestrian crossing), then head towards the Ribes plain in the direction of the restaurant, which is now closed. From there, cross the footbridge and you’ll find yourself in the snow play area. Walk along the bottom edge of this, which makes it easy to cross the Peynin torrent.

(1) Opposite the snow groomer building, you can park a car, which will come in handy if the walk proves too strenuous for Mamé.
If Mamé is struggling on the ascent, follow the trail as it climbs towards the chapel.
If she finds the descent more difficult, head in the opposite direction, down this tarmac road. After the chapel, the climb becomes less steep and turns into an almost flat track suitable for vehicles.

(2) When it starts to climb again, take the very well-marked path on level ground. From there, the support car can no longer follow.

(3) You’ll reach a bench at the highest point of the walk. A well-deserved break is in order before the descent, along a wide, stoneless path that is not suitable for vehicles.

(4) You rejoin the road – and thus the option of a lift back by car – at the fenced-off campsite. Turn right onto this almost flat tarmac road, which passes a sheep farm until you reach the footbridge for vehicles. From there, a short climb takes you back to the original crossroads.

(1) We head back to the car park on the left (S/E) via the same route we took on the way out, and we’d like to take this opportunity to say: well done, Mamé!

Take your water bottle as there are no fountains along the way. The Ribes restaurant serves ice cream in summer.

Note: when there are footballers or sheep on the Ribes plain, go around via the swimming pool.