Circular loop at the Chalet des Balmettes

This easy circular walk allows you to discover a charming alpine chalet and, in spring, enjoy the magnificent flower-filled mountain pastures.

Details

n°619235

Creation:
06 Jun 2017

Last update:
22 Oct 2020

Last review:
17 Sep 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.87 km
Average duration: 2h 30
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 288 m
Descent: - 284 m
Highest point: 1,850 m
Lowest point: 1,559 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Ecrins, Dauphiné
City: Freissinières (05310)
Start/End: N 44.761223° / E 6.524607°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3437ET, 3437ETR
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Photos

Description of the walk

Head to Freissinières and turn right onto the Route des Roberts, then take the forest track leading to Les Aujards. Park at the final hairpin bend before Les Aujards (a few parking spaces available).

(S/E) Walk back down a few metres and take the path on the left; this is the^GR®50, marked in red and white. Follow an easy climb between two dry stone walls to reach the hamlet of Les Aujards.

(1) Follow the forest track for a few metres, then leave it on the right, taking the path⁽still^{the GR®).} Walk gently uphill along this path, rejoin the track and pass in front of a chalet. You’ll reach another junction with a path.

(2) Turn right onto it; this is still the^GR®. First cross the valley, then follow a gentle climb to reach the Col des Lauzes.

(3) Turn left onto the wide forest track; leave the^GR® here^. Continue along this track to reach the junction of two tracks.

(4) Turn right to reach the nearby Chalet des Balmettes. Back at the junction, take the forest track to the right. After a long hairpin bend, return to the junction by the chalet you passed on the way up.

(2) Stay on the track; at the second bend, you’ll reach the hamlet of Les Aujards.

(1) Continue along the track to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,568 m - Car park before Les Aujards
1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1,599 m - Les Aujards
2 : km 0.99 - alt. 1,682 m - GR junction
3 : km 2 - alt. 1,845 m - Col des Lauzes (1837m)
4 : km 2.93 - alt. 1,816 m - Les Balmettes
S/E : km 5.87 - alt. 1,568 m - Car park before Les Aujards

Notes

Water point at the Chalet des Balmettes.
Today, with friends, we enjoyed the charms of this chalet for a rather pleasant lunch break; see photo.

Worth a visit

The village of Freissinières and, further on, the start of the walks to the hilltop village of Dormillouse.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

Did MIL

17 Sep 2024 at 16:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk. The climb is actually more enjoyable than the destination itself. We recommend stopping off on the way up at the hamlet of Les Aujards. It’s very picturesque. Throughout the walk, there are stunning views over the Byaisse valley and, further afield, the Durance valley.

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Emile13015

25 Oct 2021 at 11:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk – not long, but quite steep. As you emerge from the woods, the view of the chalets is superb. We had a picnic at the chalets; there was water there. The autumn colours in the woods were magnificent.

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FAROLETTE

05 Oct 2020 at 15:10 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We didn’t see a soul, even though the weather was still lovely, but the Chalet des Balmettes has been affected by building work in the area, with a new chalet being built right next door, which has blocked off the surroundings. A shame
Otherwise, it was a pleasant, short hike, with no difficulty.

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patembrun

01 Jun 2020 at 18:32 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this hike, which allowed me to extend it beyond Les Balmettes. I followed the route of the Kilomètre Vertical, which took me to the Cabane de Clot Saret via a very pleasant path. I then descended towards Les Garcines, following the view.
A lovely circular hike. Thank you for this lovely hike.

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DominiqueAIX

22 Oct 2018 at 20:36 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
A superb little hike, which we enhanced with a little detour: from the Chalet des Balmettes, we climbed up to the Col d’Anon (15 mins) and then continued through the larch forest before retracing our steps. This detour is well worth the effort and we enjoyed the stunning autumn colours throughout the hike!

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