Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
(D/A) - From the Pla du Ressec at 1022m, follow the track for about a kilometer to reach a ford. You need to cross the Courbière stream on the left by the cemented ford (or by the wooden footbridge slightly higher up), don't be confused by the routes on the right which take you from this point, this will be the way back. Heading east on this forest road, you gradually enter a beautiful fir forest. After 400 m, turn right onto a logging track.
0h30 - Leave the road and turn right onto this track, which runs west-south-west and after 10 minutes becomes a footpath. After two short hairpin bends, you enter the Bois du Debès du Ressec. The path runs alongside the Barataus stream.
0h50 - ORRI 1273m) From the orri, the path becomes steeper and first enters a beech forest. Later, as you follow the series of switchbacks, you see the Rocher de l'Aigle on your left. Soon you ford the Barataus (1670m), and finally arrive at the Jasse de l'Étang Bleu (1h50), where you'll find numerous ruins of shepherds' huts.
The climb continues due west to Étang Bleu.
2h40 - L'ETANG BLEU .From l'Étang Bleu, the path climbs to the right over the small mound. Take the Chemin du Cirque d'Embans and follow the ridgeline (1822m) above Étang Long. After a few hairpin bends to the west and a ford across the Embans torrent, the path descends steeply for around 300m (this area is particularly steep and care should be taken with children).
3h00 - CIRQUE D'EMBANS. The descent continues into the Bois du Cirier, through a beech forest. A series of small switchbacks brings you to the footbridge over the Courbière.
4h00 - CABANE D'EMBANELS (1180m). Go right across the meadow to reach the forest road at the ford.
4h30 - Return to the Ressec flat.
0h30 - Leave the road and turn right onto this track, which runs west-south-west and after 10 minutes becomes a footpath. After two short hairpin bends, you enter the Bois du Debès du Ressec. The path runs alongside the Barataus stream.
0h50 - ORRI 1273m) From the orri, the path becomes steeper and first enters a beech forest. Later, as you follow the series of switchbacks, you see the Rocher de l'Aigle on your left. Soon you ford the Barataus (1670m), and finally arrive at the Jasse de l'Étang Bleu (1h50), where you'll find numerous ruins of shepherds' huts.
The climb continues due west to Étang Bleu.
2h40 - L'ETANG BLEU .From l'Étang Bleu, the path climbs to the right over the small mound. Take the Chemin du Cirque d'Embans and follow the ridgeline (1822m) above Étang Long. After a few hairpin bends to the west and a ford across the Embans torrent, the path descends steeply for around 300m (this area is particularly steep and care should be taken with children).
3h00 - CIRQUE D'EMBANS. The descent continues into the Bois du Cirier, through a beech forest. A series of small switchbacks brings you to the footbridge over the Courbière.
4h00 - CABANE D'EMBANELS (1180m). Go right across the meadow to reach the forest road at the ford.
4h30 - Return to the Ressec flat.
