A walk with a military theme with two forts
Description:
From the parking at Plampinet, there are a few ways to start I will explain the normal first and then my preference.
Normal route - carefully follow the main road north and just after the cemetery turn onto a wide path (GR57), follow this until a turning west at the height of 1562M, after around 500M take a path leading south(signposted Fort d’olive) and head up a steep path, until it joins a another path here turn right and go up hill.
My preference – this follows the descent route back, and I think it’s a nice walk through the woods and not such a steep climb – from the parking cross the road and take a foot path north to the left of the cemetery,this meets a t junction in the path and turn west, follow this track to just after les savoyes , then turn south onto a footpath that starts to climb and will meet up with the normal route path.
Take the path up the ridge with some nice viewing points, it crosses a steep scree slope (care is needed), at the top of the path it goes through an open gate and the start of the defences. Continue south and just after a nice small meadow, take the right- hand track which climbs westwards and joins the old military road just outside the fort l’Olive. You can access the fort and look around inside (be careful when exploring there are parts where some of the walls have collapsed). When finished head south up the ridge past a small building, this path climbs and winds its way until you can see the round shape of the fort de Lenlon, turn west at the height of 2473M and follow the path to the fort ( you cannot access this fort). Return to the 2473m height and then continue south on the main track, passing more ruins. This leads to the old military road(GR57) follow this back north this can be a bit of a slog but does offer some nice views of the Nevache valley. At the height of 2148M leave the road on a smaller path heading north and this leads back to the gate you passed through on the way in. Head down back across the scree, and keep right as you descend back down the track, as it becomes less steep turn south east and a nice walk through the woods brings you out near the cemetery and the main road back to the parking.
