Hiking - Le Pissoun de Terres Pleines
A pleasant hike alongside mountain streams, in the cool of the north-facing slope, offering a chance to discover a remarkable stand of mountain pines.
At the upper edge of the forest, you'll find a transition zone where a few trees stand alongside bushes and subalpine grassland. Take the time to stop, look, and listen to the incredible diversity of birdlife: tree pipit, dunnock, citril finch, ortolan bunting, common rock thrush...
The route begins on a small road leading to the hamlet of La Chalanette, then joins the path on the left by the oratory. Before descending to the stream, you can enjoy a beautiful view of this hike's objective (1): the entrance to the Terres Pleines valley, its dark wood and the “Terres blanches” (White Lands).
This place name originates from the gypsum formation, clearly visible from a distance in the landscape (in the upper part of the forest). It was once quarried to make plaster, used in local buildings. The path then continues through pleasant meadows bordered by hedgerows. After three forks where you will bear left each time, the trail reaches another junction by the Terres Pleines stream. Take the footbridge on the right and follow the switchback trail to reach the pretty Pissoun waterfall (2).
The ascent then continues to the upper forest limit and the Terres Pleines track (3). This is the ideal spot to enjoy the open views of the mountains and high pastures before heading back down into the forest.
Take the track to the left to reach the ford across the stream (if the water is too high to cross, you can retrace your steps without making the walk any longer). A few hundred metres after the ford, leave the track on the left to begin the descent.
(4) After a meadow, the trail plunges back into the mountain pine forest. This conifer is easily identified by its asymmetrical cones, whose scales have a distinctive hook. Although this species was widely planted during reforestation projects, the stands in Terres blanches and Bois noir are known to be natural and native.
This almost pure stand of mountain pines seems to be linked to the fairly compact soil, rich in clay and silt, where this species is more competitive than larch, for example. This forest is therefore an original and rather rare plant formation.
In stormy weather, or just after, crossing the ford at the highest point of the hike can be tricky.
At the upper edge of the forest, you'll find a transition zone where a few trees stand alongside bushes and subalpine grassland. Take the time to stop, look, and listen to the incredible diversity of birdlife: tree pipit, dunnock, citril finch, ortolan bunting, common rock thrush...
The route begins on a small road leading to the hamlet of La Chalanette, then joins the path on the left by the oratory. Before descending to the stream, you can enjoy a beautiful view of this hike's objective (1): the entrance to the Terres Pleines valley, its dark wood and the “Terres blanches” (White Lands).
This place name originates from the gypsum formation, clearly visible from a distance in the landscape (in the upper part of the forest). It was once quarried to make plaster, used in local buildings. The path then continues through pleasant meadows bordered by hedgerows. After three forks where you will bear left each time, the trail reaches another junction by the Terres Pleines stream. Take the footbridge on the right and follow the switchback trail to reach the pretty Pissoun waterfall (2).
The ascent then continues to the upper forest limit and the Terres Pleines track (3). This is the ideal spot to enjoy the open views of the mountains and high pastures before heading back down into the forest.
Take the track to the left to reach the ford across the stream (if the water is too high to cross, you can retrace your steps without making the walk any longer). A few hundred metres after the ford, leave the track on the left to begin the descent.
(4) After a meadow, the trail plunges back into the mountain pine forest. This conifer is easily identified by its asymmetrical cones, whose scales have a distinctive hook. Although this species was widely planted during reforestation projects, the stands in Terres blanches and Bois noir are known to be natural and native.
This almost pure stand of mountain pines seems to be linked to the fairly compact soil, rich in clay and silt, where this species is more competitive than larch, for example. This forest is therefore an original and rather rare plant formation.
In stormy weather, or just after, crossing the ford at the highest point of the hike can be tricky.