Ventebrun via Lac Verdet

Park in a lay-by on the edge of the Route Stratégique de Restefond: space for four to five vehicles.

(S/E) Head towards the bend, then take a track on the left which runs level with the road. Follow it for over a kilometre, keeping an eye out for the ‘Lac Verdet’ sign.

(1) Take the small path that climbs up to the left; this serves as a shortcut compared to the signposted trail. Join the signposted trail again and follow it to the left to reach Lac Verdet.

(2) Continue along the correct signposted path to the Pas de Touréis, a red rock pass clearly visible from the lake, marked by a large cairn.

(3) Immediately take a track that branches off to the right and passes beneath the Chevalier ridge. Follow it until you reach the Col de Ventebrun (red rock and cairn), at an altitude of 2,758 m.

(4) Head west to climb the Ventebrun. After a short, steep climb along a path, follow the cairns carefully; then, a few metres before the highest point of the Ventebrun (2,881 m), join the ridge on the left. Reach the summit via the ridge, which is easy but where you still need to take care. Descend slightly on the other side, then continue to reach the clearly visible cross (2,872 m) overlooking the great south face of the Ventebrun.

(5) Retrace your steps to return to the Col du Ventebrun.

(4) Follow the ascent route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

No special equipment is required in the height of summer.

The few metres along the Ventebrun ridge require care but are not technically difficult.
To reach Le Chevalier (see alternative route below), you’ll need to use your hands a little and watch your step on the summit cone.

Path or track for almost the entire route. Although not signposted from the Pas de Touréis, the route is always clear and there are cairns to help.

(1) You can also stick to the marked path a few metres away, indicated by a sign, which also takes you to Lac Verdet.

(4) Alternative route via the ascent to Le Chevalier: adds 150 m of elevation gain. Head east from the pass, following a track that veers slightly to the left at the start. This track gradually fades away and you follow the ridge more or less as it runs. You’ll need to use your hands a little to reach the summit.
Please note: the ascent to Le Chevalier is slightly more difficult than that of Le Ventebrun, as the summit cone requires sure-footedness and caution.

Ibex are very common from the Pas de Touréis onwards, whilst chamois are seen less frequently.

Buvette de la Bonette: 1 km above the car park, heading towards the Col de Restefond.

Lac des Eissaupres is a little further down.