Le Creux des Souches

In addition to magnificent views of the hamlets of Névache and the Col du Vallon, this short loop on the heights of the hamlet of Ville-Haute offers the chance to catch a glimpse, if you're lucky, of the elegant inhabitants of our mountains: chamois.

From the parking lot in the hamlet of Ville-Haute, opposite the Tourist Office, follow the paved Haute Vallée road for around 200 metres.

Then leave the road for the path rising to the right, signposted "Creux des Souches, Balcons de Névache". Ignore the forks to the right, the first for Tarroche (not signposted), the second for Balcons (this time signposted), and continue your ascent along the switchbacks.

The climb offers fine views of all the hamlets of Névache, from Roubion to Ville-Haute. Once you reach the "Creux des Souches", a hollow between the Pépio and Grande Chalanche crests, the panorama opens out onto another landscape, that of the Vallon and its Saint-Michel chapel.

The descent takes place in this valley, with the path just beyond the hollow descending steeply to reach the valley's torrent.

Near the torrent, continue along the left bank until you reach a small footbridge: cross the footbridge to the right bank of the torrent and pick up the GRP Tour du Mont Thabor.

Continue down the GRP until you reach the asphalt road, then return to the starting point.