GR® NORD Stage n°2 : From the tribe of Câba (Tchamba) to the tribe of Saint-Thomas

D “Chez Helène” (GPS: 529 925 – 7 673 598; alt. 47 m): [accommodation] continue on the main road towards the NE. Ignore the secondary roads (SE) which lead towards the common house, the hearth and the chapel. Head towards the N following a good track that crosses a wide valley.

1 Fork (GPS: 530 466 – 7 673 614; alt. 41m): continue straight ahead towards a small wooded shoulder. The route is oriented towards the N. Go past the sports field, staying on the main track.

2 Intersection (GPS: 530 755 – 7 674 098; alt. 22m): turn left, in the small wooded area, and go up the Nèpwé Wâru valley following the CR 3. Ignore the secondary tracks which sometimes diverge.

3 Confluence with the Nèpwé Nenabi (GPS: 529 996 − 7 676 627; alt. 43m): cross and go through the gate. The track then curves west and heads towards the next intersection.

4 Intersection (GPS: 529 166 – 7,676 877; alt. 52m): continue straight ahead [the D track joins the RPN 3].

5 Next intersection (GPS: 528 875 – 7 676872; alt. 57 m): head left [the track on the right is blocked by a fence] and follow the right bank of the river through a succession of pastures to reach the Montagnat property [a private property. Respect the property. Stay on the marked path. No hunting. No dogs. No fires. No camping. Do not leave any rubbish. Do not uproot plants or pick fruit].

6 Entrance gate (GPS: 528 053 – 7 676 773; alt. 64m): cross it using the device provided below, to the right of the main entrance. A little further on, cross the apron on the Unümvia river and then climb up to a dock. Bypass the house by the north, then by the west. Turn right and exit the property.

7 Gate (GPS: 527 579 – 7 676 644 ; alt. 111m): the track enters the forest [more shaded route]. Undertake the climb to the pass following the good track that enters the forest. It climbs gently in zigzags.

8 Broken-down Truck (GPS: 527 136 – 7 676 644; alt. 224m) [vestiges of logging]: continue on the main track to a small wooden house on the right (water) [reserved for foresters, this can only be used in case of emergency or for a short stopover. Leave no rubbish behind].

9 Cabin (GPS: 525 839 – 7 677 208; alt. 391m): continue the ascent while staying on the track.

10 Intersection (GPS: 525 259 – 7 677 090; alt. 492m): head right [the left track goes down towards the Câba (Tchamba) valley by making long detours through the forest].

11 Wâo Uni Pass (GPS: 525 279 – 7 677 486; alt. 541m): leave the main track and turn off to the right to descend in the NNE direction. The path follows the ridge for a few moments, then slides on the NW flank making long zigzags [the shaded but stony areas alternate with the open but grassy areas]. Shortly before arriving at the bottom of the wooded basin, go around an area of subsidence by the right, then cross a creek (water) and reach a vast flat and wooded area.

12 Létocard Sawmill (GPS: 525 215 – 7 678 155; alt. 334m): cross the site enclosed in a beautiful forest, heading NNW, staying on the old track. Then go up to the Tipakuli hillock. Bypass it by the west, still following the old forest track which progresses on the wooded ridge.

13 End of track (GPS: 524 791 − 7 678 480; alt. 335m): take the path which slants towards the north, then the NW [several mounds, signs of an ancient occupation, mark out the route at the end of the ridge]. It then plunges into the heat of the forest towards the valley. Descending in stages, sometimes on the edge of wooded ridges, sometimes in the hollow of the thalwegs where a creek runs, which is fed in all seasons (water). It gradually loses altitude to a secondary ridge [hole in the forest, nice viewpoint in the axis of the valley towards the NW].

14 Hole in the forest (GPS: 524 188 – 7 679 576; alt. 224 m): continue to descend towards the NE, then the west. The path follows the right bank above the river. The path leads to an old track.

15 Ancient mound (GPS: 523 912 – 7 680 039; alt. 128m) [at this point, access to a beautiful little waterfall and a large water hole nestled in the forest]: after visiting the waterfall, walk on the track that follows the level curve. Go past the fork to the ruins below.

16 Former Morlet residence (GPS: 523 874 – 7 680 260; alt. 110m): continue to follow the track on the side to reach a right turn.

17 Intersection (GPS: 523 632 – 7 680 818; alt. 148 m): [the track that heads west is now overgrown] turn right towards the NE, staying on the edge of the ridge among the pines, descend slowly towards the confluence of the Tipwadabwé and the Amoa. The path leads to the main track.

18 RM 20 (GPS: 523 784 – 7 681 769 ; alt. 22m): turn right, cross the Tipwadabwe ford. Follow the track which winds along the bottom of the valley on the right bank of the river for a little less than 2 km towards the NNE to reach the maison commune de Saint-Thomas where the accommodation facilities are located.
19 (GPS: 524 811 – 7 682 910; alt. 29m).

© Textes J.F. Clair

FFRandonnée grading
* Effort IBP 85 4 Fairly difficult (red)
* Technical difficulty 4 Fairly difficult (red)
* Risk 2 Fairly low (blue)
* Overall rating 4 Fairly difficult (red)

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