GRNC1 Stage n°6 : from the Tristaniopsis refuge to the Soleil mine

FFRandonnée® grading:
* Effort: IBP XX not very difficult (orange);
* Technicality: not very difficult (orange)
* Risk: not very difficult (orange)

> Please note: notification at reception; payment of obligatory entrance fees and use of equipment related to the GR® NC1 and the park.

> Please note: the route takes you through steep forest stages. Rain is frequent here. In the event of flooding, the only way out after the second Corne du Diable is the Soleil Mine with several crossings of creeks. Think carefully before continuing on this journey.

From the Tristaniopsis refuge to the shelter of the Devil's Horn (5.6 km – 2 hrs. 15 mins.)

D Refuge des Tristaniopsis (668 489 – 7 556 681; alt. : 265m): head north-east, staying on the forest track. Reach the water point of the refuge. The forest track continues on the side. It crosses several tributaries of the Blue River. After a major thalweg, reach an intersection.

1 Old Track (GPS: 668 085 – 7 557 272; alt. 330m) (> ignore this one): continue towards the north-west.

2 - Trench (GPS: 668 010 – 7 557 252; alt. 330 m) [> beautiful view of the valley buried under the old-growth forest]: cross the small canyon of red earth. The track continues to progress, crossing several creeks that are rarely dry. You’ll come to an intersection.

3 Kaori Track (GPS: 667 466 – 7 557 596; alt. 295m): about 1 km further, the old track attacks a series of zigzags to circumvent a hillock from the north (> the valley narrows, short but steep climb, a little slippery in wet weather). At the end of the climb, at the intersection, the start of the track begins on the right. But turn left on the flat track that runs through the forest. After going around the hillock, it descends steeply towards the river and levels out. After a last often slippery descent, the forest track turns into a path and quickly leads to a confluence.

4 First Devil's Horn (GPS: 666 176 – 7 558 853; alt. 332 m) [> locality probably named for the characteristic shape of the meander, beautiful view of the chaotic course of the Blue River]: the path then runs along the left bank of the river (> progression a little more difficult, roots, rocks).

5 - Les Marmites (GPS: 666 080 – 7 558 721; alt. 397m) [> beautiful crystal clear water]: located below, they offer a nice place to rest. Then the trail continues above river level to a junction.

6 Beginning of the Grande Cascade Track (GPS: 665 690 – 7 558 686; alt. 343m): continue straight ahead, then descend towards the river.

7 Second Devil's Horn (GPS: 665 694 – 7 558 686; alt. 331m): cross the course of the Blue River, at the level of a beautiful vein of jade which shines under the surface of the water. (> very dangerous place in heavy rain, in such cases, crossing is prohibited. Beyond, the route approaches a long engaged forest stage. Rain is frequent here. In the event of flooding, the only way out after the is the Soleil Mine with several crossings of creeks. Think carefully before continuing on this journey). Cross the river and, on the other side, climb the metal ladders that cross the steep slope. The track then follows the thread of a small ridge that overlooks the course of the river to the shelter.

From the Devil’s Horn Hut to the Fougères camp (6 km – 3 h 30)

8 Shelter-Hut (GPS: 665 865 – 7 558 579; alt. 357 m) (DZ) [> emergency call terminal; four people]: the trail gradually leaves the ridge that climbs towards the Montagne des Sources to climb slowly on the southern flank of the Vallée de la Rivière Bleue. It bends its course towards the south, then towards the south-west and crosses a small creek. It reaches a shoulder located at about 400 m altitude and descends in zigzags towards a tributary.

9 Creek (GPS: 665 416 – 7 557 989; alt. 426m): cross the tributary to the west (> slippery stones), to find the path on the other bank. Then tackle a long zigzag climb on the northern slope of the Pic du Rocher. Around 560m altitude, the slope slowly sets and the path crosses a few hillocks drowned in the forest [> several beautiful kaori trees with cylindrical barrels sit enthroned, solitary, in the vegetation]. Walk on the ridge.

10 Crête des Géants (GPS: 664 829 – 7 557 741; alt. 590m): after a slight descent followed by a climb, reach a shoulder (GPS: 664 564 – 7 557 605). The path then leaves the edge of the ridge to go on the side towards the south-west. The climb becomes more gradual. The path hugs the slope, nestles in the hollow of the ravines which cut into the slope and crosses several regularly fed creeks. Reach a small confluence (water point that is rarely dry) (GPS: 663 554 – 7 557 219). Cross and climb a steep slope towards the north-west, towards an isolated hill in the forest, at an altitude of 700m. The trail reaches a saddle. It continues to climb until about 800m where it resumes its slow progress on the flank to the next shoulder. Begin a turn to the south-east. The climb is steep. At the exit from the forest, emerge in a fern-covered moor. Reach an intersection. Turn left to reach the shelter.

From the Fougères camp to the Mine Soleil Hut (3.7 km – 1 hr. 45 mins.)

11 Shelter-Hut and DZ des Fougères (GPS: 662 675 – 7 557 079; alt. 874 m) [> four people, water, emergency call terminal]: to continue towards Mine Soleil, return to the intersection and turn left. The path resumes its ascent up to 900 m. Cross a creek (water point closest to the Abri des Fougères, sometimes dry). Then progress around the altitude of 840 m and cross several small thalwegs which cut into the side. Then the route turns south to begin the final climb to the pass, pulling the walker upwards without indulgence.

12 Pass (GPS: 660 612 – 7 556 709; alt. 1,115m): the path swings south towards an intersection. Turn right.

13 Hut (GPS: 660 569 – 7 556 610; alt. 1,120m): located in a small wooded basin, near the old Soleil Mine [> a few meters above, the helipad is a pleasant lookout from which to contemplate the spectacle of nature (and GSM works)].

© Text by Jean Francis Clair

FFRandonnée® grading • Effort IBP 94 Fairly difficult (red)
• Technical difficulty 4 Fairly difficult (red)
• Risk 3 Not very high (4 points) (orange) Overall rating: 4 Fairly difficult (red)

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