Loop from L'Aiguille to Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes

This is a beautiful little loop on the north side below the Autane and Petite Autane, ideal for hot summer days when you want to stay cool. If you set off early, you can see chamois in the ravines and birds. The crossing trail does not always seem to be maintained during the summer, which makes it more difficult (the trail slopes on some steep sections) and it is now classified as difficult, requiring good experience of this type of trail.

Details

n°24511833

Creation:
27 Jul 2022

Last update:
26 Aug 2025

Last review:
30 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.12 km
Average duration: 4h 10
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 738 m
Descent: - 738 m
Highest point: 2,171 m
Lowest point: 1,641 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Champsaur, Dauphiné
District: Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas (05260)
Start/End: N 44.651732° / E 6.235535°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3437OT, 3437OTR
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Description of the walk

Access by car: from the central roundabout in Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes, take the paved road towards Libouse. At the bend at around 1,350 m, turn left onto the forest track towards Le Cuchon. At the hairpin bend at around 1,552 m, turn right and continue up the track until you reach a horizontal forest track used by the^GR®®50: this is the starting point for the hike and you can park here.

(S/E) Follow the^GR®®50along the forest track.

(1) Take the path on the left, following the^GR®® signs, and continue to the forest hut.

(2) Head left, towards the south-east. The trail is easy for the first third, but then winds its way up a wooded slope with a gradient of 30-35° without any difficulty. When you reach the junction, take the path on the right towards Autane.

(3) Take a path on the left (more or less maintained) that crosses five ravines below the Petite Autane Ouest (hunting boots recommended). The first ravine, which is the most dangerous, is equipped with a new cable. Reach the summit of the Aiguille.

(4) Leave the path on the right that leads to the Col de la Casse du Diable and follow the path opposite that goes to the Abeille ridge.

(5) Keep left and descend the ridge to the junction with the^GR®®50.

(6) Follow it to the left along the ridge to come out onto an old track, cross it opposite on the ridge and follow the^GR®® markings which turn left down the slope and join a forest track.

(7) Follow the forest track on the left and the^GR®®50to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,641 m - Crossroads, parking area
1 : km 0.39 - alt. 1,674 m - Path on the left
2 : km 1.19 - alt. 1,768 m - Forest hut
3 : km 2.47 - alt. 2,167 m - Trail junction, left
4 : km 3.99 - alt. 2,068 m - L'Aiguille
5 : km 4.91 - alt. 1,967 m - Crête de l'Abeille
6 : km 5.48 - alt. 1,811 m - Junction with the GR°°®°°50
7 : km 5.83 - alt. 1,746 m - Arrival on the forest road
S/E : km 7.12 - alt. 1,641 m - Crossroads, parking area

Notes

Access and return via a forest track. The paths are signposted at each junction. The crossing requires considerable experience of this type of path on steep slopes. In late spring, the gullies may be snow-covered and therefore dangerous to cross; in autumn, they may be frozen.

Direct alternative route to the Aiguille

After leaving the forest road and continuing on the GR®50, at the ninth hairpin bend, leave the^GR® and take the small path on the left marked by forest signs on trees nos. 67 and 68 (sign indicating the Fontaine, the Aiguille and the Lauze, not always standing). This path is well marked until you reach a sign for La Fontaine, which feeds a drinking trough for cows. After that, the path is less clearly marked. You will get closer and closer to the foot of the cliff until you come to a dead end.

At a place called La Lauze (signs), climb a rocky slope equipped with an old rusty cable until you reach the Torrent du Gariveau ravine.
Follow it for a few metres and take the path on the right (left bank of the torrent) which winds around to cross the torrent bed and pass to the right bank of the torrent. Stay on this bank. Climb the faintly marked path through the grass. The path winds around several times to reach the crossing to L'Aiguille.

Once on the path leading to L'Aiguille, take it to the left to the summit of L'Aiguille and continue the circuit described above. You can also turn right to pass under the Autane and descend to the starting point.

Worth a visit

Climbing from the forest hut (2) to the point (3), you can see chamois in the ravine on the left. This climb is rich in Swiss stone pines, and you can see spotted nutcrackers and their feast of pine cones on the ground.
Climbing the alternative route, you can also see chamois, crossbills extracting seeds from larch cones, and black grouse.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

jeanmariedegap

30 Aug 2025 at 14:07 7200

Not 18 July, but 18 August!

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jeanmariedegap

30 Aug 2025 at 14:06 7200

Hello,
We did the hike on 18 July, and you're right, the trail is often sloped in the difficult sections. The trail is usually maintained in early July, but a storm can quickly destroy the work that has been done. Taking this into account, along with your comments, I have classified it as difficult (in our opinion, "very difficult" is reserved for additional challenges such as having to use your hands, being off-trail, having to find your own way, length and elevation gain, etc.)

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User 27234470

17 Aug 2025 at 21:13 7200 • Edited: 17 Aug 2025 at 21:14 7200

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in early August and turned back after the third ravine. The first two are relatively passable, but after that we found it far too dangerous. The path is no longer carved out at all, and the slightest slip sends you plunging into the void.
I think the hike should be classified as very difficult at the very least... Or even removed due to the danger of these sections. At least until they are reinforced with cables or re-dug.
It's a shame, because we enjoyed the climb and the superb view from the pass at the foot of the Petite Autane.

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jeanmariedegap

04 Aug 2024 at 18:27 7200

Hello,
We did this hike again as a family at the end of July. There is no longer any snow on the trail at the first ravine, only a small patch of snow above it.
The trail had not been re-cut in the steep sections, which makes them a little tricky.
I can confirm that the GR 50 trail rejoins the route at point 5 on the L'Abeille ridge.
Due to heavy rain in recent months, the grass is very tall in places on the trail and partially covers it, so be careful!
I therefore advise against taking the direct route, as it must be difficult in this lush vegetation! There is work to remove logs from the track after descending the Crête de l'Abeille.
Enjoy a refreshing hike in this heatwave!

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Piolit

15 Jul 2024 at 16:34 7200 • Edited: 15 Jul 2024 at 16:36 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a small issue when descending from the needle at the first intersection: do not go back up the path on the right that leads to the Col de la Casse du Diable
you will then be on the Crete de l'Abeille and also on the GR50 on my IGN map!
In one of the ravines, we had to go around the path because of a snowfield...

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jeanmariedegap

22 Aug 2022 at 17:06 7200

Hello,
I think we almost saw each other this morning. When I arrived around 8:30 to park, you were already there, and I think I saw you leave!
I went to do the direct route a little further from the start towards the Aiguille, cutting across the rocky ridge. I'm going to post about this beautiful, wild and impressive hike on a barely marked trail that is well protected by a cable at the ridge.
See you soon, perhaps!
jean-Marie Degap

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dahu05

22 Aug 2022 at 11:24 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, uncrowded trail that also provides access to the Petite Autane. You must not be afraid of heights when crossing the ravines. Be careful on the way back: on the descent before point 7, you will come to a forest road. Turn right and continue for a few metres to reach a wider forest track and the GR 50, which you follow to the left.

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Author

jeanmariedegap
3 Walks

Visorando member

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