Col de la Coupa

de fr

On the edge of the Écrins National Park, from the small hamlet of Les Gourmiers, a beautiful path leads us to the Col de la Coupa; the cliffs serve as a perch for vultures, which can be admired gliding over the magnificent Réallon valley.

Details

n°40512
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.39 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,792 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,792 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,605 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,806 ft
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Photos

View towards Ancelle (Champsaur)
At the foot of the pass
View from the pass
Col de la Coupa (Réallon 05)

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the entrance to the village of Les Gourmiers.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Cross the stream and take the tarmac path, following the markings towards the valley opposite the car park (west): Col de la Coupa, La Gardette. Follow this tarmac path for 500 m and, at the end of the tarmac, you will reach the hamlet of Les Tomelles.

(1) Take the path on the right, towards “La Coupa”, and reach a crossroads.

(2) Turn right, still heading towards La Coupa. Ignore the path going straight on towards La Gardette and follow the track running alongside the Torrent de la Gorge until you reach the top of the gorge.

(3) Leave the track and take the path on the left to reach the Cabane du Vallon.

(4) Continue along the fairly steep but very well-marked path to reach the Col de la Coupa.

(5) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way out to return to the Gourniers car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,813 ft - Car park at the entrance to the village of Les Gourmiers on the edge of the - Réallon (torrent) - Affluent de la Durance
  2. 1 : mi 0.56 - alt. 5,141 ft - Les Tonnelles
  3. 2 : mi 0.72 - alt. 5,282 ft - Trail junction
  4. 3 : mi 2.44 - alt. 6,594 ft - Cabane du Vallon
  5. 4 : mi 3.2 - alt. 7,602 ft - Col de la Coupa
  6. S/E : mi 6.39 - alt. 4,813 ft - Car park at the entrance to the village of Les Gourmiers

Notes

Very well signposted from the start, no difficulties, accessible to all walkers, apart from the elevation gain.
There are no water points along the route, so fill up at the fountain in the car park.
In season, the valley hut is occupied by the shepherd.

Worth a visit

At the Réallon resort, in summer you can take the chairlift to admire the Serre-Poncon dam reservoir from the top of the resort, a magnificent panorama.
On the ascent and at the Col de la Coupa, you can admire countless vultures (up to 70 depending on the day and according to the shepherd) which use the cliffs as perches.
You can also visit the charming little village of Réallon.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you for your comments; I have just amended the itinerary accordingly.

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Randophil57
Randophil57

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely round-trip walk without too many difficulties. As other comments have noted, the route described to reach the sheepfold no longer exists; you need to follow the very pleasant path marked in yellow.

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Hed
Hed

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, but be careful: you must follow the yellow trail and not the green trail as indicated for this hike. The green trail passes by a shepherd's hut, which you should avoid in order to keep the shepherd and his animals undisturbed. The trail for this hike is outdated, so be sure to follow the trail on site (yellow), which will take you to the pass without any problems and is beautiful!

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Toine
Toine

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with a superb view at the pass. The route has changed between point 2 and the Cabane du Vallon. The new route, which is well signposted, follows the 4x4 track. This makes the route a little longer but allows you to reach the hut via a gentler slope that passes close to a spring. Very handy for refilling your water bottles and as a picnic spot.

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Wonderach
Wonderach

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

After climbing through forest and mountain pastures, there is one last steep climb to reach the pass. But the view from the top is fantastic!

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WY013059
WY013059

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start of the route is a bit laborious, then there is a great trail through the forest, crossing the stream is a bit tricky, the trail before the climb to the hut is completely ruined, but the markings are still there.
Crossing the valley was nice, the start of the climb to the pass was steep, then there were switchbacks which made the climb easier.

Nice walk, physically demanding at the end, but beautiful views of the other valley when you reach the top of the pass, where you are greeted by a colony of vultures.

A walk to be done again.

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Redipietra
Redipietra

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good evening,

Since I have been asked, I will give my opinion on this route.

I have two observations:

The first is that it is possible to make a circular route to return to Les Gourniers (and what's more, it's pretty). Sorry, I don't have the GPS track.

Secondly, apart from the sporting aspect, the pass is not particularly interesting. I mean that it is steep for a view that, in my opinion, is not up to scratch. But that is just my opinion.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Hello
To help you find your way, waypoints have been included in the description of this beautiful hike.
Enjoy your walks!

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perpat1960
perpat1960

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike, we met THE shepherd who confirmed that he had seen the 70 vultures.
We saw six, which is not bad, as these birds are impressive in size.
Be careful in very hot weather, though.

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