Boucle du gros Têt depuis le Chazelet
The Gros Têt is the highest point of the Emparis plateau. Located at 2613 m, this large hillock also called the peak of Rachas offers a 360° panorama of the Alps.
There you can see the Grandes Rousses massif, the Goléon and of course the entire northern slope of the Ecrins National Park. This summit is also a great winter classic for ski touring enthusiasts.
From the starting point of Chazelet (1770 m), go down towards the village along the car park. At the first junction, do not go up into the village but take a hairpin bend to the right towards the foot of the ski lifts. At the second junction, stay on the side (do not go down towards the torrent).
Continue along the wide track and at the next junction, turn left and cross the stream at the “mine bridge” (old silver-lead mine).
Go back up by wide bends before arriving at the Querellé hill. Continue on the good track then after about 2 km, turn left towards the ruins of Plaquejoue (1985 m).
From this point take the tractor track on the left then climb steeply up the slope, bearing slightly to the left to reach the ruins (place called La Selle).
From this point, the Berche is in sight and forms a notch in the wide schist wall. Continue following the posts and cairns towards the pass (2386 m).
Follow the slope to the right which runs along the schist wall and leave the Petit Têt on the left to reach the summit.
The descent is on the other side (North), following the ridge that leads to the Rachas stream. At this point we join the route of the tour of the Plateau d'Emparis (route n°15).
Cross the stream, pass near the small white sheepfold, called Cabanote, then across the meadows, reach the Buffe barracks located at the foot of the Pic du Mas de la Grave by a path (cairns).
From there, follow the entire valley of La Buffe on a good track. Pass by the Croix de Tuf and cross the three hamlets of Les Rivets.
Cross the Pertus bridge and go back up to Chazelet via a wide track to reach the starting point of the route.
From the starting point of Chazelet (1770 m), go down towards the village along the car park. At the first junction, do not go up into the village but take a hairpin bend to the right towards the foot of the ski lifts. At the second junction, stay on the side (do not go down towards the torrent).
Continue along the wide track and at the next junction, turn left and cross the stream at the “mine bridge” (old silver-lead mine).
Go back up by wide bends before arriving at the Querellé hill. Continue on the good track then after about 2 km, turn left towards the ruins of Plaquejoue (1985 m).
From this point take the tractor track on the left then climb steeply up the slope, bearing slightly to the left to reach the ruins (place called La Selle).
From this point, the Berche is in sight and forms a notch in the wide schist wall. Continue following the posts and cairns towards the pass (2386 m).
Follow the slope to the right which runs along the schist wall and leave the Petit Têt on the left to reach the summit.
The descent is on the other side (North), following the ridge that leads to the Rachas stream. At this point we join the route of the tour of the Plateau d'Emparis (route n°15).
Cross the stream, pass near the small white sheepfold, called Cabanote, then across the meadows, reach the Buffe barracks located at the foot of the Pic du Mas de la Grave by a path (cairns).
From there, follow the entire valley of La Buffe on a good track. Pass by the Croix de Tuf and cross the three hamlets of Les Rivets.
Cross the Pertus bridge and go back up to Chazelet via a wide track to reach the starting point of the route.
