Abaye de Matié to col de Drison and back

This is a combination of signposted routes starting at the parking of the abbey of Matié. I took the steep track up to the chalet de Drison. There I walked up to the col de Drison and tried all three paths from the signposted top of the col. Unfortunately is was wet and windy (horizontal rain) and the tracks were snow covered. I didn’t dare proceed on my own. So I went down to the chalet again and followed the same track back until I could get on to the less steep track back to the abbey. This track ends with a winding hard road without traffic for the last 3 km or so.

My phone battery was empty at 500m from the abbey. So the return is not complete in the recording. But it is very clear were to go that last part.

It was January, very wet and there was snow above 1600m. In the forest there was almost no wind, but on some edges the wind was strong. I can really recommend to do the route in the order I did when it is raining. I almost quit the track walking up because it was very slippery with mud. At some point there was a crossing with a hardtop narrow road. Down it signposted back to the abbey, up to the chalet. So I continued the steep track knowing the road would bring me back. At the actual return, the second way was also very slippery with mud. But it was way less steep, so better manageable. Halfway down it gets on to the road.
If you do it the other way around, you will face 40% or more inclines with mud and little to hold on to when going down. This lasts for about 1500m, near the abbey. Especially the 180 degree turns of the winding road are this bad.

I really liked the trip, as it was adventurous, in a combined forest, open fields with snow, nice misty views and a chalet you could enter.
You can sleep there for 6 euros per night. It looks well equipped except for a toilet. There is no staff.
In summer or better weather, there is a second chalet you can see from de Drison chalet, people at the chalet recommended it for the view. Also the roads starting on the col should be very nice if there is sight of more than 50m. This means the trip can be extended in several ways to around 20-25 km if you like.