Planlebon circuit

Starting from the entrance to the Encombres Valley, this walk takes you through the hamlets of Planlebon and Les Priots. These charming Alpine villages, sometimes in ruins, carry memories of farming days gone by.

Route No. 28 (yellow markings) Access: At the entrance to Saint Martin de Belleville, follow the signs for "Le Châtelard Vallée des Encombres". Cross Le Châtelard and continue along the road to the signposted parking lot (Les Frachettes). Starting point: Les Frachettes parking lot Starting altitude: 1350m Maximum altitude: 1674m Tour time: approximately 4 hours Option not included in this route: Possibility of continuing to Gittamelon (+ 1.5 hours round trip) From the Frachettes car park, take the path towards Planlebon. After a steep descent through the forest, reach the stream and cross the small wooden bridge. Take the path that climbs to the old hamlet of Planlebon (1,409 m) and its chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. A mass was celebrated here in drought years to pray for rain. A sign traces the history of this hamlet, which was inhabited seasonally by eight families until 1945. Continue uphill on the trail (to the left of the information panel). After about twenty minutes of walking, you will reach a stream that you will need to cross before undertaking the slightly steep climb to reach the trail on the other side. At the fork, take the path that climbs, a lovely forest crossing before finding a more open landscape and a view of the Priots mountain range opposite. Once again, you will find a stream on your route and a small footbridge; it's the perfect spot for a picnic! Option: You can continue to the Gittamelon refuge (+ 50 min - 2.1 km) After the footbridge, take the trail that leads to the pretty hamlet of Les Priots and its stone and wood chalets. You'll sometimes find pigs, donkeys, sheep, and chickens there in the summer. At the intersection, take the path that descends into the forest and continue to the Frachette car park where you'll park your vehicle. Special difficulty: Steep switchbacks in the first part of the walk, tricky section before the footbridge crossing the Planlebon gorges.