Les Banissous, St-Gervais-sur-mare.

Les Banissous. Yellow markers, 11km for whole walk 4h (we did the 6km first half of the walk 2h).This is a wonderful walk taking you up lovely old drailles onto an amazing hilltop of mountain views. From here you descend into a gorge of tumbling streams and cool trees before returning on another draille to Cours. Park in the walkers car park at Cours le Haut. Then head down the lane towards the bridge taking a little left turn just before it. This takes you behind Cours Bas with the first river crossing to reach the pretty hamlet of Compeyre. Now head up a beautiful old draille(used to take sheep up to the high pastures) though lovely chestnut woods and past old stone Secadous houses (used to store chestnuts). At the top you will enjoy stunningly magnificent views of the Montagne de Rosis, the serre de Mare and over to the col of the 13 winds. St-Gervais-sur-mare below looks like a fairy town and the ruins of the chateau de Neyron is far away along it's own rooftop serre. The air here was full of the delicious scent of yellow broom and the sound of little birds. After finding the signpost turn left and take care walking down the little path on broken gneiss slabs. Finally reaching the stream of Casselouvre in the magnificent gorge. Cross the lovely stream here, but if like us you will first enjoy a rest and refreshments before continuing, it's even a lovely spot for a dip if you fancy it. Now head up to reach a small col and then continue on the ridge through lovely oaks, their shade was very welcome today. Soon you will see the ruins of the Chateau of Nebuzan, high up on its lofty, rocky top above the river that you can hear below almost constantly. The route follows another draille down through chestnuts and crosses another small stream before descending into Cours le Haut. Ignore the final yellow marker beside the houses unless you are intending to do the full walk and you will find the car park just over the little bridge.