Riding south french Alps: Vallon de Moutière

[Scapadu]

So, as my friend Kktos asked me for some new report here is one about a trail ride i did in the south French Alps last summer. We are here going up the "Vallon de la Moutière" in direction the Restefond pass (just under Col de la Bonnette).
That is quit a sportive trail as it has a good elevetion ration with some part with a lot of stones (but less than some 20 years ago ). However as you make some stop to watch at the splendid scenaries you got time to rest.
So you just have to follow the gravel road named "D9" on an IGN card (25000 scale card)

It starts in the col de la Cayolle in a place named "Bayasse" elevetion 1780m (tere are a few houses there).


then you come up to the junction "Restefond ou St Dalmas" at 2415m and Restefond at 2656m, which is 900m elevation gap for about 10km which is 9% average.


Once you went out of the "hameau de Bayasse", you cross a small mountain river .


Then after it is just straight forward up to 2415m elevation, there is no junction anywhere so you can't go the wrong way.
So, the direction is up there:

it goes really up with lots of stones sometime:

but no problems:

It goes quit good:

It is even easy sometime:

We can not say it is really straight!

and we are going up again:

once at elevation 2415m is the only junction of the trail:

So at elevation 2415m it is time to make a choice

Either you go to the village of St Dalmas, yes the small trail below in the meedle of the picture (taken from the Col de Moutière):

Either you go up to Restefond, with a more comfortable trial road:


Here you are!

Next time i will bridge!


Or the Tunnel

[alexem]

wwwwwwwwwwooooooooowwwwwwwww, many thanks for this pics in this winter!!!!!!!!!!!

last summer I spent a week in barcelonette, and did a trip to Lac Signes, you start in Jaussiers direction
Cime de la Bonette after 5 km ? you go left into the valley Singniers - very nice!!!!

[Scapadu]

Originally Posted by alexem

wwwwwwwwwwooooooooowwwwwwwww, many thanks for this pics in this winter!!!!!!!!!!!

last summer I spent a week in barcelonette, and did a trip to Lac Signes, you start in Jaussiers direction
Cime de la Bonette after 5 km ? you go left into the valley Singniers - very nice!!!!

Yes i know that place as well!

[SplitRock]

What a fantastic ride ! Thanks for the amazing pics. It's interesting to see this wonderful backcountry France. It looks like a great place to explore.

Brent