L’Oratoire

The ridge trail leading to the summit of L'Oratoire offers breathtaking views of all the mountain ranges surrounding Les Monges. The panorama is stunning and dizzying! The return trip takes you through the forest, with a short stop at Lac des Monges.


Follow the trail to the left before the Garnaysse ford.
Pass the Vergères forest road on your left and continue on the one to the right.
Leave the trail and take a path to the left. This path quickly gains elevation via about ten switchbacks until it emerges from the forest.
On the broad Colle ridge (1,840 m), head up to the right toward the summit of L’Oratoire.
At L’Oratoire (2,072 m), follow the ridge along the GR 6 trail markers (numerous markers). It is a very long ridge, dizzying in places, passing through the summit of Clot Ginoux and Laupie.
At Col de Clapouse (1,692 m), take the right branch of the GR 6 toward Lac des Monges. This is a path through pastures. Cross a ford, then shortly after, join a barely marked trail.
Follow this trail for a few hundred meters. At a wooden post, continue along the path to the left. It soon enters the forest.
At Pradon (1,590 m), follow the wide forest trail down to the right. You’ll soon reach the lake.
At Lac des Monges (1,544 m), leave the lake and continue right along the trail to the parking lot (ONF gate). Cross the parking area and, 50 m further on, take the trail to the left.
Just past another ONF gate, leave the trail and follow the path that descends to the right into the forest.
Continue along the trail on the left.
Leave the forest trail on the left and continue along the one on the right. After crossing a footbridge over the stream, follow the stream until you reach the starting ford.