This is only a short section as it is stunningly beautiful and it is worth lingering along the lakes if there is time. A balcony path provides some relief after a steep descent.
From the Refuge de Bassiès at 1,655 m, the GR10 continues on a short boardwalk which protects the delicate watery world of lakes, bogs and spagnum moss.
It is a pleasant walk down the wide valley where the large Étang de Bassiès dominates the view. At its end, a broad dam wall leads to some lovely secluded camp sites.
A couple of smaller lakes lie below it, perfect for chilling on sunny days. Although it is a wild, rocky landscape, there are numerous scattered pines so it is not hard to find a shady spot.
The Étang d’Escales is the final lake, ending in another small dam. There are some nice wild camping places amongst the trees near the water at the bottom of the lake.
Soon after the dam the path crosses to the other side of the outlet via an interesting clapper bridge and begins its steep descent to the valley. Initially on the open hillsides, the path then enters a beech forest and zig zags relentlessly for about 1½ hours.
It is a relief to reach an old enclosed aqueduct which hugs the side of the mountain to just above Marc, creating a lovely balcony track. It is slightly bizarre as it seems just like any flat path, scattered with pine needles and grass, but in places it rings hollow or there is a piece of cement slab missing so one can see the void below.
It ends at an old electricity tower (a possible wild camp area) and joins a road briefly before heading off on old stone walled tracks to Marc, where it emerges at a welcome lavoir.
A couple more turns and one reaches the striking L’Eglise Saint-Antoine du Montcalm. The interior is quite ornate and well worth a look. Every year the herds are blessed here before they depart for their summer pastures.
This brings to an end a short day on the GR10. There is a Gîte d’etape in Marc or another just a little further up the track at Mounicou (telephone number d’étape de Mounicou: 05 61 64 87 66 / 06 22 24 60 02).
Ascent: 50 m
Descent: 750 m
Distance: 9.7 km
Time: 4.0
