DAY 48 - VILLAR-D'ARÈNE TO LES GUIBERTES

The sun was out this morning and stayed with us for most of the day. We had a wonderful walk in the mountains, largely following the GR50.

Heading out of Villar-d'Arène, with Brutus leading the way

As we were leaving Villar-d'Arène, we were joined by a big, friendly dog. We called him Brutus, as he reminded us of a large dog my brother had when he was little. Brutus walked with us for the first part of the day.

Walking along the GR54. Brutus seemed to know the way. 

Some of us were getting a bit warm with the unaccustomed sunshine, and took off our outer layers. Brutus didn't mind waiting. 

The path followed the river for a while. Brutus was in his element. 

A few kilometres down the track we were becoming increasingly concerned that Brutus's owners would be missing him. We told him firmly to go home.

"Brutus - go home!!"

We continued our walk in the morning sun.

Brutus didn't want to go home

We became even firmer

But it was such a lovely day and such a lovely walk that Brutus just wanted to stay with us.

At the hamlet of Le Pied-du-Col we left the GR54 and took the GR50 up to the Col du Lautaret.  Brutus found some chickens to play with in the hamlet, and didn't join us for the climb.

Following the GR50 to the Col du Lautaret 

Approaching the Col du Lautaret 

There was a café open at the Col du Lautaret. We sat down for a hot chocolate. 

"The café's open. Let's stop for a hot chocolate. "

Hot chocolate at the Col du Lautaret 

Road signs at the Col du Lautaret

As we started to go down the other side of the Col, our delightful older daughter realised that she may not have another opportunity this trip to play in the snow. 

So she built a snowman (look closely)

We were then treated to a long sweeping descent with fantastic mountain views. We also saw several marmots, and masses of wildflowers. 

Starting the descent along the GR50 

Descending some more

Still descending 

Flattened out a bit, but still going down 

Walking through the wildflowers 

The descent continued 

And continued

We found an attractive lunch spot next to the path.

An attractive lunch spot 

After lunch we continued our scenic walk towards Les Guibertes, our day's destination. 

Scenic pathway in the Alps - heading towards Les Guibertes 

An ominous sky over Le Monêtier-les-Bains, on the way to Les Guibertes 

The weather stayed fine all day, and we agreed that this has been our best day in the Alps.

Day:  48
Distance: 24.37 km
Walking time:  5hrs 39mins
Elevation gain:  543 metres
Cumulative distance:  1188.67 km