Salva Canal from Guillestre

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A lovely walk in a green setting with little elevation gain on an easy trail (along the water) to do with the family, keeping a close eye on young children in the more exposed areas or on the ridge. Some sections offer superb views of Guillestre and beyond, then through the trees to the Guil Gorges.

Details

n°78936080
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 283 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,300 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,140 m
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Photos

The canal
view of the gorge
view of the sugar loaf
umbellifers

Description of the walk

Go to the crossroads of Rue du Chazal and Rue du Petit Bois. Park safely at the side of the road.

(S/E) Take the dirt track that climbs up from Rue du Chazal and continue uphill to find the start of the trail on the left, just before another signposted trail.

(1) Turn left and take the path that runs along the left side of the canal. Go past the Crête de la Viste and you will reach a small stream.

(2) Continue along the trail, admiring the waterfall and the landscape. Continue until you reach a clearing near the Terrasses houses.

(3) Continue along the canal and, at a bend, you will reach a point offering an interesting view of the Guil Gorges.

(4) Continue along the canal until you reach a stream.

(5) Start your return journey here, following the same route back to the car park on Rue Chazal and Rue Petit Bois (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,141 m - Parking on Rue du Chazal and Rue du Petit Bois
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 1,192 m - Path along the canal
  3. 2 : km 1.17 - alt. 1,206 m - Waterfall
  4. 3 : km 3.04 - alt. 1,251 m - Meadow below Les Terrasses
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 1,265 m - The Guil Gorges
  6. 5 : km 4.17 - alt. 1,295 m - Torrent
  7. S/E : km 8.33 - alt. 1,141 m - Parking on Rue du Chazal and Rue du Petit Bois

Notes

Be careful with young children on the dyke or in the balcony sections.
NB: the canal continues and I believe the path does too, but the weather on the day meant we didn't go any further.
Abundant and varied flora and fauna (small creatures) to observe along the way.

Worth a visit

(4) Guil Gorges.
Panoramic view of Guillestre

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
TOUTCOTON
TOUTCOTON

Too bad. It's a hike I did several years ago but didn't manage to post online earlier. I did stop because of the weather, but also because I found the passage at the end of my GPX route tricky.

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User 19137726

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk along a small shaded path with views of the valley and Guillestre.

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User 22961969

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike starting in the morning, with a picnic halfway and returning in the afternoon.
To avoid going back the same way, we took the "sentier découverte" (discovery trail) in the morning, which offers beautiful views of the sugar loaf and the start of the gorges. Even though it's a road, we only came across one bike and one car in the middle of the morning!
It's best to do this part of the hike in the morning as it's sunny.
We then rejoined the canal and the route description just before point 3 by taking a small path on the right.
Between points 4 and 5, the hike is a little more dangerous as there are some steep drops that are not really protected, but you just need to be careful to get through.
The entire hike along the canal is in the shade, which is really pleasant in the middle of summer!
During the entire hike, we only came across two other groups, so it's a very peaceful place

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jp11
jp11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk in the shade along the canal with butterflies, late summer flowers and pleasant temperatures. After the barrier and the "danger of death" sign, you can continue along the path, although you may feel slightly uneasy.
Therefore, refrain from walking here if you suffer from vertigo
- You are with children.
- You have drunk half a litre of wine at breakfast
- You are carrying more than 100 kg (several people)
If you fall, always fall towards the canal (when it is there) rather than down the slope.
All joking aside, the mountains are currently suffering. The trails are disappearing due to severe weather caused by global warming. We had the same experience in the nearby Val d'Escreins. That's the way it is, and it's too late to do anything about it.

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monal
monal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We read the reviews before embarking on this hike. The crossing of the stream mentioned is indeed a little daunting, especially as a few metres earlier a "Danger de mort" (Danger of Death) sign dampens your enthusiasm. We therefore turned back. Otherwise, the path along the canal is very pleasant.

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TOUTCOTON
TOUTCOTON

hmm... It looks like the site has deteriorated since I did this hike three or four years ago. I wasn't able to post it online before.

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Christine G
Christine G

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A round trip with beautiful views, but if you want to continue after the stream to reach the Maison du Roy, the crossing is very tricky and should be redesigned as it is dangerous.

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DN53
DN53

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy route once you reach the canal, which is high up and offers beautiful views, the coolness of the canal, and "clouds" of butterflies. However, it is impossible to reach the end! Between points 4 and 5 there is a barrier with no explanation, but it can be crossed. A little further on, the path is very poorly supported, then completely destroyed and abandoned. We turned back and came across a very nice "danger of death" sign!
So stop at the place called "les terrasses" (point 3), a magnificent plateau meadow, or turn off towards "la Maison du Roy" after "les terrasses" to go over the barrier, but I don't know the path.

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