I fancied a long walk to profit from the beautiful weather but I kept changing my mind about where to go! Inital plan was to climb Pic de Materat but its a long day with well over 1600m of up hill. Then I thought about Pic de la Fourne, which I haven't climbed, but it's another long day with long sections without a trail. I couldn't find anyone free to go with me, so in the end decided to do Pic des 3 Seigneurs from the East side which I've wanted to do for a long time. The trekking guides on the internet said 7h45 (one said 8h45) so I started early.
It was just above freezing early in the morning so I was glad I took some gloves. After a section on a piste the path crosses a footbridge and climbs steeply through the forest before esacping the treeline and passing into the impresive Cirque d'Embans with a 700m high headwall.
Looking south to Cap de la Dosse
On leaving the Cirque I was in the sun and in short sleeves for the rest of the day. The path climbs over some bald hills to arrive at a new mini cirque with numerous lakes, passing the Etang Long and Etang Bleu. Ahead is the Col de la Couillate 1961m which I reached in a little over 2hrs giving fabulous views.
Etang Bleu with the col behind
view from the col with the first few unnamed pics to cross on the right
My route now turned right and followed a long ridge over several tops including Pic de Peyroutet and Pic de Crède before eventually arriving at Trois Seigneurs 2199m in around 3hrs. Amazingly I had the summit to myself for an early half lunch.
looking down from the ridge to the Etang Long, Etang Bleu, Etang des Rives and Etang du Tirou
My starting point was at the bottom of the wooded valley
View from the summit
Retrospect of Pic Crède and Pic de Peyroutet
From the summit I descended steeply continuing around the head of the Cirque d'Emabans to Cap des Gragnots and down to the Col de Pourtanelle 1789m. Just before the col I was surprised to see a solitary Ibex.
the descent from 3 seigneurs
Ibex, in the far distance in the centre of the field the cabane rouge
A steep descent from the col, a second lunch and then I was back in the forest to reach in a clearing the cabane rouge.
the descent from the col
The cabane rouge, interestingly paint green!
A steady descent through the amazing colours of the forest saw me back at the car in 5h45 including 30mins for my lunches. 15km and about 1300m of ascent. Pleased that I'm still much faster than the guide book at nearly 59 years old!
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