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To park, drive to the village of Richardière, then to the cross-country ski centre at the edge of the village (there is also a second car park 400 metres further along the route).
(S) From the centre, follow the track that leads to the bottom of the valley, just after the second car park.
(1) At the first crossroads, continue straight ahead on the left-hand track. The path on the right will be the way back.
(2) At a place called "Les Fourchaux", arrive at the last car park in the valley and then at the first monument dedicated to the Resistance. Turn right onto the track towards Pas de l'Aiguille. The track and a path cross during the climb. It is best to stay on the small path. The path then continues to climb steadily but (fairly) gently.
(3) When you reach Pas de l'Aiguille, continue straight ahead. There are still about 100 metres to climb to reach the plateau.
(4) Facing the Resistance memorial. Take a path slightly off the circuit, on the right and heading north, which leads to two caves.
(5) It was in the smaller of these caves that 23 members of the Resistance found themselves trapped by the Germans (see "During the hike"). Head south to return to the previous crossroads.
(4) From the memorial, cross the plateau heading south and head to the Cabane de Chaumailloux.
(6) At the Cabane de Chaumailloux, leave the plateau by climbing westwards. From there, you will see the first view of the south face of Mont Aiguille, with the plateau in the foreground. Shortly afterwards, you will enter another, more mineral world: you are still on a plateau, but it is no longer really flat. The park wanted these high plateaus to be as wild as possible, so there are no longer any signposts. However, given the number of hikers, the path is well marked; you just need to pay more attention.
(7) Head north again. Don't miss the crossroads
(8) Look for a cairn and a small path branching off to the right for a round trip to Pas de l'Ours: follow it.
(9) From Pas de l'Ours, enjoy a second beautiful view of Mont Aiguille. Retrace your steps.
(8) Once back, continue right towards the north. You are on a plateau, but there are constant ups and downs between 1,650 and 1,780 metres in altitude, alternating between grassy and stony areas. The path veers north-west then heads north again.
(10) Be careful, this junction can be easy to miss: at an altitude of 1681 metres, continue straight ahead, heading north (do not turn left towards the south).
(11) Pass in front of the Jasse de Peyre Rouge, in a stony area: a lunar landscape is guaranteed. Go around the Jasse on the right to begin the climb. At the top, you will arrive at the Plaine de la Queyrie and begin a slight descent into this "plain". Notice the pruned tree in the distance, due north. Also notice an ancient Roman quarry on the western flank. Head there and back.
Note: it is possible to climb up to the Plaine de la Queyrie by passing to the left at the Jasse de Peyre Rouge; both paths lead to the plain (in both cases, and as on the entire plateau, there are no markings: especially on stony ground, keep a close eye on the terrain and the cairns)
(12) After a quick look around, retrace your steps and head north-east to pass in front of the pruned tree. Continue climbing, still heading north-east, to leave the Plaine de la Queyrie
(13) Crossing the small depression, you will arrive at Pas des Hollowed-out Tree Trunks Serving as Drinking Troughs, marked by a small cairn. Turn right, heading south-east, towards Pas de la Selle.
(14) As you climb, you will see a shepherd's hut on your left: head towards it and walk past it. There is no real path, but you need to locate and reach the small summit of Montaveilla.
(15) This is an ideal place to take a break before descending, as without moving you can see the Grand Veymont on one side and, at 90°, the Mont Aiguille across the Pas de la Selle. Retrace your steps downhill.
(14) Pass the hut and head back towards Pas de la Selle on the left.
(16) At Pas de la Selle, continue straight ahead. Descend on the right side of a small valley, then the descent becomes steeper as you cross a scree slope. Another splendid view of Mont Aiguille.
(17) At the fork, keep to the right and continue downhill.
(18) Cross the Col de l'Aupet, at the foot of Mont Aiguille, then descend on the right (yellow signposts) to enter the forest. The descent is quite long and steep. Do not stray from the main path, always following the yellow markings, and ignore the small paths that connect to it.
(19) Leave the path onto a wider track and follow it to the left, following the yellow markings. After a right-hand bend, leave the track via a path on the left which leads to a new track. Continue to the right and return to the second car park.
(1) Continue left and return to Richardière (S/E).
Visorando member
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Moderate 
