Col de Granon walks

This section corresponds to the second stage of the crossing of France, following the 45th parallel. This stage is magnificent and can be a hike in its own right. You follow the Clarée valley and discover beautiful waterfalls before climbing up to the Refuge du Chardonnet.

This is the fourth stage of the route, taking you from the village of Névache to the Drayéres mountain hut at the head of the Clarée Valley. The route follows the path known as the Chemin de Ronde, part of theGRP® Tour du Thabor trail. You’ll complete a circular route around Lake Laramon. Alternatively, from this lake you can also reach Lake aux Serpents. The view over the valley from the top of the Chemin de Ronde is simply stunning. When you reach the Refuge de la Terrasse, take a moment to admire the mountainous landscape of this valley.

You’ll gradually discover the Clarée valley. As you gain altitude, your view will widen. It’ll soon become truly extraordinary!

Between forest, mountain pastures and the banks of the Clarée, this walk takes you gently from Névache to the upper Clarée valley. It is also an opportunity to discover the hamlets and isolated chalets scattered throughout the valley. Don't forget to admire the pretty Fontcouverte waterfall on the way! Please note that if you do this hike outside the shuttle bus operating period (information available from the tourist office), you will have to walk back to the starting point along the same route!

This thirteenth stage marks the start of the crossing of the Queyras Massif. From La Vachette, the previous day’s trail joins the GR®5. After a flat start, the forest path winds its way along the banks of the Durance as it descends towards the hamlet of L’Envers du Fontenil, before climbing up to a fortification at the foot of the Fort des Trois Têtes and then crossing the remarkable Pont d’Asfeld. The GR®5 climbs to the Cité Vauban in Briançon, one of France’s finest fortified towns, and descends via the Portes d’Embrun to the Parc de la Schappe. It heads south towards Villar-Saint-Pancrace, then veers off towards Les Ayes via the hamlets of La Mourande, Sachas and Soubeyran, from where it climbs to the Chapelle Saint-Laurent, then on to Le Lauzin, before reaching the Chalets des Ayes. It reaches the Col des Ayes, descends the opposite slope, joins a track at L’Eychaillon and turns left onto it, running alongside the Torrent de la Rivière as far as Brunissard and then La Chalp.

Étape de la Grande Traversée des Alpes de Briançon à La Chalp par le Col des Ayes.

E10th stage lasting 8 hours, covering 21 km, with 1,000 m of ascent and 1,200 m of descent. A very pleasant stage with no technical difficulty, offering magnificent views of the Barre des Écrins at 4,100 m and the very impressive Pelvoux at 3,900 m. For the more adventurous, there is the option of taking a detour to climb up to Lac de l’Eychauda by leaving theGR® 54 at the Col de l’Eychauda. The stage ends in the village of Pelvoux, which, despite the fatigue, is well worth a quick visit.

3ème étape du Tour du combeynot : découverte de la vallée de la Guisane en passant par le chemin du Roy pour arriver à l'Alpe du Lauzet

This third stage of the crossing of France, following the 45th parallel as closely as possible, is long and difficult but absolutely magnificent. You will discover or rediscover the two jewels that are the Écrins and Meije massifs. Most of the route is on the GR® 50 and GR® 57. The paths are well marked and well maintained. This stage can be divided into four sections: 1) an ascent to the Col du Chardonnet; 2) the descent to Lauzet; 3) the ascent to the Col du Lautaret; 4) the descent to Arsine.

This hike is certainly long, but it will allow you to discover one of the major areas of the wonderful Clarée Valley.