Hiking the Auron Ridges

Directions:
From the Auron Tourist Office (b.5), follow the GR5 trail via the Riou ski slope, then turn left (b.9) along the GR5, which leads to the Chastellarès plateau (b.10, b.11, and b.11a). Take the Blainon chairlift with a pedestrian pass. At the chairlift exit, turn right towards the Colombier summit (b.172). Once you reach the Las Donnas cable car station, go back up to the left (b.169).
Climb up to the small oratory (no higher), turn right to skirt the rocky summit of Las Donnas and join the wide trail behind the Las Donnas ridge (b.170). Continue to the Col du Ciavalet (2324m) at the foot of Mont Riounet (2537m), turn right via the Col du Bouchiet (b.151) and aim for the small Lac de l'Estive (hill reservoir) which you will easily reach. At the Baisse (b.153), 2 choices are available to you:
- either descend the valley, on the Champ Roulon ski slope, then at marker 15 join the small path to the Fossati bridge (b.8). Cross the road and take the Riou slope on the right to the tourist office.
- or for a complete loop, climb back up to the Bercha balcony (arrival point of the Lieuson chairlift), to the Bercha summit at 2274m (b.152) and then descend via the Auron summit (b.4a), the Puy d'Auron (b.6), and the Puy d'Auron path to the tourist office.