Le Mélézin

In the heart of a vast forest of snow-covered larches, this snowshoe hike will take you up to discover the hamlet of Mélézin perched at an altitude of 1880 metres. The reward is a unique view of the Durance and Guisanne rivers.

By car, park at the Centre Montagne parking lot, at the start of the cross-country ski trails. In winter, the Ayes road is snow-covered.

From the parking lot, retrace your steps onto the Route des Ayes and put on your snowshoes.

The wide Ayes trail rises up to reach the forest, and continue along this path until you reach the "Ayes/Melezin" junction.

Take the left-hand track towards Les Ayes. Caution: The right-hand track leads to Mélézin via the summer car track, and is much longer (8 km one way).

A little further on - about 200 m - take the snow-covered path on the right, marked with a yellow sign "Le Mélézin".

This relatively well-marked route stands out well in the snow between the larch trees and twists and turns steadily upwards into the heart of the Bois du Villard .
Soon, on the right, a small path leads to the Clairière du Lauzin (a short detour is possible to see the Clairière, then return to the main itinerary).

After passing the Lauzin, ignore the track on the right and take the one on the left until you reach a wide forest track, which you cross to get back to the itinerary just opposite.

The climb then becomes a little steeper until you reach a rocky spur (the Oratoire Saint-Augustin is not visible at this time of year, as it is buried under the snow), with the Mélézin chalets in the background.

The return journey takes the same route.