엔카스트레이‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪6‬개의 산 정상

The ring road around the mountain comes into view once more at the end. Steep sections lead to the highest point, the Cime de la Bonette. Accessible in one direction only!

abandoned building without water

Intriguing ghost town which actually includes the barracks of a former military camp

Going up the Col de la Bonette on its southern side, just over 7 km from the top of the pass, and once you have passed the most spectacular section with several hairpin bends, you reach this ghost town. It is a military complex built in 1888 and used as an army operations barracks during World Wars I and II. It is very well preserved thanks to the reconstruction work carried out in 2016 and 2018. It is worth stopping to take a look.

Culminating at 2909m, the summit of the Grande Séolane offers a 360° view of the surrounding mountains and massifs (Tête de l’Estrop, Écrins, Mercantour and even Mont Blanc). The ascent can be done from the South, thanks to the beautiful chimney of Lou Chiminet which does not pose a problem for experienced hikers, at least on the way up, or by the “Normal Route”, to the East, passing through the Col des Thuiles, which is very easy and very well indicated. I personally recommend the ascent by Lou Chiminet and the descent by the “Normal Route” to easily complete the loop. However, be careful of the snowfields that can remain in the corridor at the beginning of the season…

Col de la Bonette (2715 meters above sea level) is a mountain pass in the French Alps, near the border with Italy. It is located in the Mercantour National Park on the border of the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The road over the col is the seventh highest paved road in the Alps.

Camp des Fourches was part of a set of fortifications protecting the Ubaye valley from potential Italian attacks. This barracks in particular was used by Alpine hunters whose mission was to defend the Col des Fourches. The department wanted to preserve and highlight this work, in memory of the mountain troops who fought during the First and Second World Wars. On the site, a set of explanatory panels recount the history of this place.

It doesn't matter which vehicle you used to get to the ring road, you shouldn't skip the last 60 meters of altitude on foot!