Starting at the parking area Les Espélisses (1,237 m), the route climbs steadily through the Combe to reach alpine meadows and eventually the Refuge de l’Estrop (2050 m), before traversing westward across scree slopes to the Barre des Aiguilles and continuing on a steep ridge to the summit of Tête de l’Estrop (2961 m), the highest peak in the Provence Alps. From the top, with its vast panoramic views over the Southern Alps and Provence, the descent retraces briefly before branching south across rocky terrain, passing again near the refuge, and finally dropping back through forests and clearings to the starting point. This loop combines varied terrain—forest, alpine pastures, rugged ridges, and technical summit rocks—into a demanding but highly rewarding mountain tour.
A shorter description of the ascent can be found on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur tourism site, while the full loop is described in the Rother Wanderführe Dauphiné Ost, 5th edition, Tour 44.
