Le Bois du Truc circuit (no. 12)

Description

A pleasant route along a stony uphill track and a relatively technical downhill path. Circuit running above La Roche-de-Rame, along almost its entire length offering a panoramic view over the Durance valley and the municipality. As you ascend, Mont Pelvoux comes into view in the distance. The ascent is relatively straightforward along a wide track, although the descent is much more technical with a number of narrow single-tracks. The circuit starts not far from the La Roche-de-Rame mayor's office ("Mairie") near the Bouchouse mountain stream. First, follow its left-hand bank, going upstream. 430 metres further up, cross the mountain stream and carry on along the right-hand bank. At the crossroads, turn right to cross the mountain stream again and carry on uphill towards Bel Pinet. - Turn left towards Le Lauzet, winding uphill along a stony track - When you reach Bel Pinet, at 1,400 m altitude, take the track on the left to the Calvary and the Bois du Truc - 150 metres past the Calvary, at 1,561 m altitude, turn left to the Bois du Truc up a final short ascent - 180 metres further on, at a set of gate posts, turn left onto the path below the track, to tackle the single-track descent (Caution! Quite steep downhill section to reach the path, and technical stretches on the path) - At the Bois du Truc, at 1,510 m altitude, carry on down the single-track section towards Le Bathéou and La Roche-de-Rame (exercise caution on the numerous technical stretches) - At Le Mas des Ducs, at 1,290 m altitude, carry on straight ahead towards Bathéou and La Roche-de-Rame - Continue straight ahead along the track above Le Bathéou, heading towards Les Gillis and the dwellings - At Les Gillis, turn left onto the D338. Then, 60 metres further on, turn left again to the village centre - Turn right and follow the Bouchouse downstream on the right-hand bank. Then, after 170 metres cross the mountain stream, which brings you back to the mayor's office and your starting point

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne(Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112
• Take your litter home
• Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Getting there

Start: Mairie de La Roche-de-Rame, La Roche-de-Rame (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/973293-VTT-N12---Circuit-du-Bois-du-Truc). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,055 m, Parc national des Écrins