Route around Le Ponteil

A route starting from Le Ponteil that goes round the large, unnamed peak near the Tramouillon hut.

Details

n°43340

Creation:
22 Oct 2013

Last update:
06 Aug 2018

Last review:
01 Nov 2019

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.23 mi
Average duration: 3h 30
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,791 ft
Descent: - 1,729 ft
Highest point: 6,558 ft
Lowest point: 4,767 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Ecrins, Dauphiné
City: Champcella (05310)
Start: N 44.709672° / E 6.569127°
End: N 44.708669° / E 6.569337°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3437ET, 3437ETR, 3537ET, 3537ETR
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Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park at Le Ponteil opposite the communal oven.
(S/E) Head to the top of the houses at Le Ponteil and the crossroads of the paths.

(1) Turn right onto the path that runs alongside the track. Leave the^GR®50(Tour du Dauphiné) on your left.
Walk alternately along the track and the path to reach a hairpin bend.

(2) Continue along the track. At the next hairpin bend at an altitude of 1,795 metres, continue straight ahead. Reach a further hairpin bend, then a second one.

(3) Take the path starting opposite, leaving the track. Continue along this path, which then disappears into the forest, but the old markings are clearly visible and lead to the high point, to the left of the unnamed rock.

(4) Begin the descent, first along the ridge to go round the rock, then down a steep slope.
Then cross the forest track several times, always taking the sections of path on the left that cut across the bends. Join the track at a hairpin bend.

(2) Follow the route you took on the way up to return to the car park (S/E) .

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 4,767 ft - Ponteil car park
1 : mi 0.23 - alt. 4,918 ft - GR50 junction
2 : mi 1.22 - alt. 5,623 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 5,971 ft - Hairpin bend
4 : mi 2.5 - alt. 6,526 ft - High point
E : mi 4.23 - alt. 4,829 ft - Ponteil car park

Notes

Take care on the descent, especially in wet conditions, as the paths cutting across the track can be tricky.
Those who are uncomfortable walking on rocks may prefer to stay on the track.

Worth a visit

The Fressinières Valley with Dormillouse in the background.
La Roche de Rame and its lake.
Saint Crépin and its airfield.
Montdauphin and its UNESCO-listed monuments.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5

Route interest
4.2 / 5

Louis-Michel Duhen

01 Nov 2019 at 21:29 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk in autumn. From point 2, we crossed the footbridge shown on the map to reach the Tramouillon hut (with a spring) via a sheep track suitable for experienced walkers. We therefore changed the direction of the walk, which was also very pleasant. The descent into the valley behind the unnamed rock is magnificent. I appreciated being able to follow the GPX track on my smartphone. Thanks to visorandonneur

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ADNET

28 Jun 2019 at 11:25 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

There are some lovely views, particularly of the Torrent du Tramouillon and the unnamed rock. However, the lack of signposting after the third waypoint makes the route more difficult. Admittedly, with the Visorando app on your smartphone, you’re unlikely to get lost, but the numerous branches cluttering the ground make progress tricky and unpleasant. What a shame!

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bernardino

06 Aug 2018 at 16:20 7200

Thank you, herveg07, for pointing that out; it has now been corrected.

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herveg07

06 Aug 2018 at 15:33 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A really lovely, cool route in very hot weather (a heatwave in the south-east), which we wouldn’t have thought to take without Visiorando…
The GPX track is useful for the entire unmarked section! We extended the route as far as the Tramouillon hut; the mountain pasture is very beautiful and it doesn’t add much to the distance.
Note: the waypoint marked "Highest point" is in the wrong place: it’s at the junction where you rejoin the track after the descent, rather than the small pass which is the actual highest point

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