Mal Cros Canal starting from Chaillol 1600

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Hike along the remains of the Mal Cros Canal, starting from Chaillol 1600. This canal supplied water for irrigation in the area from a glacier above the Champoleon valley (Drac Blanc).

Technical sheet

n°5977
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 248 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 238 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,767 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,571 m
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Photos

Canal
Mal Cros Canal Basin

Description of the walk

Park in the Place Bagatelle car park at the Chaillol 1600 resort.

(S/E) Cross the resort and reach the start of the trail marked by a green sign: Canal de Mal Cros.

(1) Climb a few metres and you will reach the reservoir called Bassin de Répartition. Continue along the edge of the canal, pass under the chairlift and you will reach a crossroads.

(2) Continue on and you will come to a crossroads.

(3) Turn right, climb slowly until you reach another trail, continue to the right and join the wide forest track.

(4) Continue along this track and at the next crossroads rejoin theGR®50, which also supports theGRP® of the Tour du Vieux Chaillol.

(5) Take the red and white markedGR® opposite, leaving it at the junction of the two tracks.

(6) Leave theGR® trail on your left and take the right-hand path for the final descent to Chaillol 1600 and the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,595 m - Chaillol 1600 car park
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 1,606 m - Distribution basin
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 1,596 m - Canal de Malcros
  4. 3 : km 2.1 - alt. 1,579 m - Canal crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4 - alt. 1,742 m - Forest track junction
  6. 5 : km 5.05 - alt. 1,754 m - GR GRP crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.64 - alt. 1,706 m - GR trail junction
  8. S/E : km 7.07 - alt. 1,596 m - Chaillol 1600 car park

Practical information

Information about the Canal

In the nearby area

Car park and shops on site.
Orcières Merlette resort.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
cmouesca
cmouesca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely short hike that takes you along pleasant woodland trails in the heat of the day.
A lovely circuit!

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brandon.yann
brandon.yann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike.
Much of it is in the sun with magnificent views of the valley (wooden roof tile, Saint Léger, etc.).
We did this hike in spring and winter with snow and the ski slopes open, but it is still feasible with the right equipment.

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jpg13490
jpg13490

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An interesting short hike to discover the remains of the canal. The autumn colours were magnificent, with the larch trees resplendent
Please note that before point 5, construction work on a water reservoir has destroyed the trail. You can bypass the construction site to the north and then rejoin the route

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Christell
Christell

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful walk without much difficulty through the woods on peaceful, cool paths.
The estimated time of 2 hours 45 minutes is greatly exaggerated. We did it in 1 hour 30 minutes one evening. Allow 2 hours to be on the safe side.
I highly recommend it.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

At this time of year, 40% of the route is still covered in snow.
A pleasant hike with no major difficulties. At point 3, we climbed directly to the right and after point 4, we descended via the path on the right (too much snow on the main path). It is a shame that the canal is no longer maintained, to the point that it is no longer visible in some places.
It is possible to park near point 1 at the end of the housing estate.

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mary0538
mary0538

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Poorly signposted at junctions

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JCPR05
JCPR05

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Review the route description at point 3. In my opinion, you should leave the canal path (to avoid heading towards the GR50)
go up to the right to join the forest track and, once you have joined it, turn left to join the GR50

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serenite
serenite

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

nice little afternoon stroll. Very pretty area. Very few people

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garri13
garri13

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

It is better to head towards Place Bartavelle from Chaillol station

Thank you, I have amended the description.

Kind regards

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byjoca
byjoca

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The starting point is not actually at the location indicated
It is better to head towards Place Bartavelle in the Chaillol resort and on the way, before the last right-hand bend going uphill, you will find the starting point for this hike (if you cannot find a spot on the side of the road, go up to the car park at this square)

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doudou05+
doudou05+

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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colombel
colombel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

an easy route that can be done with young children, well marked and with a beautiful balcony section overlooking Champsaur
Colombel

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tautavel41
tautavel41

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent hike with young children.
Diverse scenery

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Jjcc83
Jjcc83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very short hike, shame about the canal as you can't see it and the start isn't well maintained.
Otherwise, it's an easy little hike with children. We continued on to Lake Barbeyroux, but unfortunately it was almost dry. Jjcc83

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