Feeling like we both needed some space today, I set off on my first hike alone in the French Alps. Leaving Ceillac past the Church Sainte-Cecile I picked up the GR58 route markers towards the Col de Bramousse (2251m). After an initially steep switchback ascent through forest the final approach to the col was in bright sunshine. At the col an Italian family pointed the way to the Col Fromage via the ridgeline housing the old lookout post / observatory standing prominent on the skyline at 2505m which provided superb panoramas over Ceillac and its surrounding peaks as well as down to the Guil Valley and peaks of the Ecrins to the north-west. After a relatively easy descent to Col Fromage at 2301m, joining the GR5/GR58 variant I picked up the pace on my way back to la Villard and Ceillac as the gathering storm clouds warned of rain to come arriving back at the motorhome just in time. Being one of my first hikes alone I'd interacted with many other hikers enjoying a sunny day on the trail and felt very contented and rewarded for my solo adventure.
Leaving Ceillac past the Church Sainte-Cecile:
Reaching the Col de Bramousse:
Looking down to the Col de Bramousse on the way to the Observatory and the views of the surrounding peaks of the Queyras regional park.
Reaching the Observatory and the views looking back towards Ceillac:
Looking down to the Col de Fromage and looking at the storm clouds building over the peaks at the Italian border:
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