 |
In this section we present a chapter from the book
Per Alpes, Discovering the Alps in 20 circular walks.
Read the tour description below or download
the book here.
|
|
|
The itinerary takes you all the way to the glaciers of the Écrins National Park.
Foto: Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention - Task Force Protected Areas |
|
The Barre des Écrins rises to 4,102 m at the heart of the Écrins National Park - the second highest mountain range in France after Mont Blanc. The massif stands out both for its peaks of rock and ice and its contrasting deep, green valleys. The Barre des Écrins range is still wild and unspoilt; it is bordered by the Romanche valley to the north, the Guisane valley to the north-east, the Durance valley to the south and the Drac valley to the west. In 1973 the Écrins became a National Park, covering an area of 2,700 km², of which 918 km² are a strictly protected area. Just outside the park is the well-known town of Briançon. On the north side, the ski areas of La Grave and Les Deux-Alpes lie very near to the Park’s borders. The Vénéon valley is located at the very center of the Park with La Bérarde at its head. At this point you are literally surrounded by the highest peaks of the range. A visit to this valley is highly recommended.
|
|
|
|
The tour lasts 13 days. Fitness and endurance are essential. Cols are always very steep and it is important to use careful footwork and to have a head for heights. The route is well waymarked and huts are privately owned.
Click map for larger image.
|
|
|
 |
|
Le Bourg d’Oisans – Le Châtelard – Auberge de la Combe-Haute |
The beginning of the tour is very easy and comfortable. Walk along the Sarenne valley to reach the small town of Le Châtelard (1,448 m). After a short descent follow the signs indicating the way to Auberge de la Combe-Haute (1,600 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Accommodation Hôtel La Forêt de Maronne (Le Châtelard, 1,448 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76800006,
e-mail: laforetdemaronne@gmail.com,
www.laforetdemaronne.com, open all year, private.
Auberge de la Combe-Haute (Huez, 1,600 m):
Tel. +33-(0)4-76806138, open all year, private.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Auberge de la Combe-Haute – Col de Sarenne – Clavans-le-Haut – Clavans-le-Bas – Besse-en-Oisans – Ref. de Rif Tort |
From Auberge de la Combe-Haute follow the road in and walk up to the Col de Sarenne (2,009 m). After losing about 500 meters you reach the small towns of Clavans-le-Haut and Clavans-le Bas. Follow the road to Besse-en-Oisans (1,564 m), then follow the signs directing you to Ref. de Rif Tort (2,240 m), today’s destination. |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Gîte "Le Sarret“ (Besse-en-Oisans, 1,564 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76800622,
e-mail: lesarret@orange.fr, www.gite-le-sarret.com open all year, private.
Hôtel Alpin (Besse-en-Oisans, 1,500 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-768008655,
e-mail: hotel.alpin@wanadoo.fr, http://www.hotelalpin.fr, open all year, private.
Rif. de Rif Tort (2,240 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76802411 or +33-(0)4-76800491,
www.oisans.com/montagne/refuges/rif-tort, open frommid June to the beginning of September,
private.
|
|
|
Ref. de Rif Tort – Col du Souchet – Le Chazelet – La Grave – Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne |
Today’s route can also be divided into two parts by staying overnight in the town of La Grave. If you wish to reach Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne without stopping, you need to make an early start. From Ref. de Rif Tort (2,240 m) walk up Col du Souchet (2,365 m). On this path you pass by the fascinating Plateau d’Emparis, that in spring looks like a sea of flowers, while in late summer resembles a scrubland. Once you reach La Grave you can stop here for the night, if, on the other hand, you want to continue, bear in mind that there are still 4 hours walk left. After a few ups and downs, follow the signs to the Romanche valley indicating the way to Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne (2,079 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Auberge Edelweiss (La Grave, 1,491 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76799093, e-mail: info@hotel-edelweiss.com, http://www.hotel-edelweiss.com, open all year, private.
Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne (2,079 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76799466 o +33-(0)4-76799344, http://www.refugealpearene.fr, open from mid June to the beginning of September, CAF.
|
|
|
 |
|
Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne – Col d’Arsine – Le Casset – Le Monêtier-les-Bains |
From Ref. de l’Alpe de Villar-d’Arêne (2,079 m) climb up to the Col d’Arsine (2,348 m), go through the Romanche valley to Guisane valley. At the foot of Montagne des Agneaux descend to Le Casset (1,512 m) and the spa town of Le Monêtier-les-Bains (1,490 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Gîte Le Rebanchon (Le Casset, 1,512 m): Tel. +33-(0)6-80233303 or +33-(0)6-18810954, e-mail: contact@lauzet.fr, www.lauzet.fr, open all year, private.
Gîte Le Flourou (Le Monêtier-les-Bains, 1,490 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92244113, e-mail: fl ourou@cegetel.net, http://www.leflourou.com, open all year, private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Le Monêtier-les-Bains – Col de l’Eychauda – Chambran – Vallouise |
From Le Monêtier-les-Bains (1,490 m) ascend about 1,000 m and reach Col de l’Eychauda (2,425 m). Cross the pass and enter Vallouise, where you will surely fi nd some fellow trekkers. This part is in fact very popular and you here you also fi nd the Glacier Blanc, the largest glacier of the Écrins massif. Leaving Col de la Cucumelle (2,501 m) on your left, descend steadily to the village of Vallouise (1,163 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Gîte Le Baoüti (Vallouise, 1,166 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92234650,
www.gite-le-baouti.com, e-mail: gite.baouti@wanadoo.fr, open all year, private.
Gîte L’Aiglière (Vallouise, 1,166 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92235252, e-mail: gite.aigliere@wanadoo.fr, http://pagesperso-orange.fr/gite-aigliere, open all year, private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Vallouise – Entre-les-Aigues – Cabane du Jas Lacroix – Col de l’Aup Martin – Pas de la Cavale – Ref. du Pré de la Chaumette |
Today you will see the wildest part of the Park, where, with the exception of the huts, there is no sign of tourist exploitation. This is also the longest day of the tour, because you will walk for 9 hours and gain 1,600 m height. To traverse Vallouise towards Champoléon and Champsaur, cross Col de l’Aup Martin (2,761 m) and reach Pass de la Cavale, which is almost the same height. The descent to Ref. du Pré de la Chaumette (1,805 m) is very solitary. |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Ref. du Pré de la Chaumette (1,805 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92559534 or
+33-(0)4-92507293,
www.montagne-virtuel.com/05/refuges/prechaumette/refuge.php, open from mid June to mid September, CAF.
|
|
|
 |
|
Ref. du Pré de la Chaumette – Col de la Vallette – Col de Gouiran – Col de Vallonpierre – Ref. de Vallonpierre |
Today there are three passes to overcome before you reach Ref. de Vallonpierre, and enter Valgaudémar. Leave Ref. du Pré de la Chaumette (1,805 m) and follow the path heading north towards “Vallon de la Pierre“ till you reach 2,080 m. Head west, go through Vallon de la Vallette and after steep slope and many zigzags you reach Col de la Vallette (2,668 m). Descend at 2,497 m, cross Vallon de Gouiran and reach Col de Gouiran (2,597 m). Below the steep rock walls, the path runs through Vallon Plat, and after many turns it leads you to Col de Vallonpierre (2,607 m). Finally descend to Ref. de Vallonpierre (2,271 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Ref. de Vallonpierre (2,271 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92552781 or
+33-(0)4-92533156, www.vallonpierre.fr, open from mid June to mid September, CAF.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ref. de Vallonpierre – Ref. de Chabournéou – Ref. du Clot – Le Casset |
Leave Ref. de Vallonpierre (2,271 m) and cross below the Sirac towards Ref. de Chabournéou (2,020 m). Reach Ref. du Clot (1,397 m). Walk along the Séveraisse stream all the way to Le Casset (1,135 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Ref. de Chabournéou (2,020 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92552780, open from mid June to mid September, e-mail: valgaudemar@free.fr, http://valgaudemar.free.fr/chabourneou.htm, CAF.
Ref. du Clot (1,397 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92552790, open from mid June to mid September, http://valgaudemar.free.fr/xavier_blanc.htm, CAF.
Gîte Le Casset (1,135 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92552272, e-mail: Vincent.Norbert@orange.fr, open from May to October, private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Le Casset – La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar – Villar-Loubiére – Ref. des Souffl es |
From Le Casset (1,135 m) reach the small town of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar. Follow the road and then the Séveraisse stream, reach Villar Loubière then cut through a lateral valley on the right and you reach the beautiful upslope to Ref. des Souffl es (1,975 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Le Relais de la Vaurze (Villar-Loubiére, 1,033 m):
Tel. +33-(0)4-92552361, e-mail: totodupuy@orange.fr, from mid June to mid September, private.
Ref. des Souffles (1,975 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-92552291, http://valgaudemar.free.fr/souffles.htm, open from mid June to mid September, CAF.
|
|
|
 |
|
Ref. des Souffl es – Col de la Vaurze – Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey |
Cross Col de la Vaurze (2,500 m) and enter the stunning peaceful Valjouffrey. While admiring the amazing ice covered peaks of Écrins National Park, you reach the small town of Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey (1,255 m), and this day draws to an end. |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Bar des Écrins (Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey, 1,255 m):
Tel. +33-(0)4-76302701, www.bardesecrins.net, e-mail: bardesecrins@gmail.com, open all year, private.
Auberge de l’Eterlou (Valjouffrey, 1,255 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76302512, open all year, private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Valjouffrey – Col de Côte Belle – Valsenestre |
Today’s route is not very long. Once you cross Col de Côte Belle (2,390 m) you reach Valsenestre, another remote valley, where you will find the village carrying the same name: Valsenestre (1,294 m). |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Gîte Le Béranger (Valsenestre, 1,294 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76302088,
e-mail: alessianedurand@hotmail.com, open from June to September (May to October for groups), private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Valsenestre – Col de la Muzelle – Ref. de la Muzelle |
This is the penultimate day of the tour and it takes you again to the foot of Roche de la Muzelle, and steeply to Col de la Muzelle (2,613 m). As you descend to Ref. de la Muzelle (2,115 m), you might find some snowfields on the exposed part to the north. This can make your journey more difficult. |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Ref. de la Muzelle (2,115 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76790201,
www.muzelle.a-venosc.com, open from the beginning/mid June to the end of September, private.
|
|
|
 |
|
Ref. de la Muzelle – Col du Vallon – Lac Lauvitel – La Danchère – Le Bourg d’Oisans |
Today you will wave goodbye to this beautiful corner of the Western Alps, but before you reach Le Bourg d’Oisans you need to tackle a few meters height gain and loss. From Ref. de la Muzelle (2,130 m) follow the path leading up to Col du Vallon (2,541 m). Enjoy the superb view for the last time, then descend to Lac Lauvitel and then to La Danchère (989 m). Here you reach Vénéon valley, which leads to the heart of the Écrins National Park, ending at the hamlet of La Bérarde in the shadow of the Barre des Écrins. La Bérarde is not on our route but if you wish to extend your tour the valley can be visited by bus. To complete the trek, walk towards La Danchère and head north towards Le Bourg d’Oisans (722 m), where, after 13 days, you reach the fi nal destination. |
|
|
|
Accommodation
Gîte Le Lauvitel (La Danchère, 989 m): Tel. +33-(0)4-76800677, e-mail: info@lelauvitel.com, www.lelauvitel.com, open all year, private.
For further information: Office du Tourisme Le Bourg d’Oisans, http://www.bourgdoisans.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here is an excellent link on how to get there. Wherever you are going.
Michelin
|
|
|