Blue Pond

(D/A) - From Pla du Ressec at 1,022 m, follow the trail for about one kilometer until you reach a ford. Cross the Courbière Creek to the left via the cemented ford (or the wooden footbridge slightly further up); don’t be misled by the trails to the right that lead away from this spot—those are the return routes. A marked shortcut after the Débès ford allows you to avoid this loop on the trail. Heading east on this forest road, you’ll gradually enter a beautiful fir forest. After 400 meters, turn right onto a logging trail going in the opposite direction.
0h30 - Leave the road and follow this track to the right, heading west-southwest; after about 10 minutes of walking, it turns into a trail. Two small switchbacks, and you’ll enter the Bois du Debès du Ressec. The trail runs alongside the Barataus Stream.
0h50 – ORRI (1,273 m) From the orri, the steeper trail first winds its way through a beech forest. Later, as you make your way up a series of switchbacks, you’ll see the Rocher de l’Aigle on your left. Soon you’ll ford the Barataus (1,670 m) and finally emerge at the Jasse de l’Étang Bleu (1 hr 50 min), where you’ll find numerous ruins of shepherds’ huts. The ascent continues due west to the Étang Bleu.
2h40 - THE ÉTANG BLEU. From the Étang Bleu, the trail climbs to the right up the small hill. Take the Chemin du Cirque d’Embans and follow the ridgeline (1,822 m) above the Étang Long. After a few switchbacks to the west and fording the Embans torrent, the trail descends steeply for about 300 m (this section is particularly steep; take precautions when hiking with children).
3:00 – CIRQUE D’EMBANS. The descent continues through the Bois du Cirier, a beech forest. A series of small switchbacks leads you to the footbridge crossing the Courbière.
4:00 – EMBANELS HUT (1,180 m). Turn right to cross the meadow and reach the forest road at the ford.
4:30 – Return to the Ressec plateau.