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Col de la Ponsonnière walks
The Cerces tour
Visorando Member
10.62 mi
+3,261 ft
-3,235 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful, challenging hike that takes you around the Cerces Massif, from lake to lake...
There are a few tricky sections for those who are afraid of heights
Le Grand Galibier
11.85 mi
+4,252 ft
-4,236 ft
9h 10
Very difficult
Departure from Valloire (Savoie)
This legendary summit offers spectacular views of the Écrins mountains dominated by La Barre and La Meije, Goléon, the Aiguilles d'Arves, Mont Blanc, Viso, Queyras and the Swiss Valais, where Liskamm and Monte Rosa rise up. It is also a popular area for ibex.
Circular of the lakes in the Cerces massif
9.15 mi
+2,881 ft
-2,884 ft
6h 45
Difficult
Departure from Valloire (Savoie)
This hike takes you on a lovely tour of several lakes in the Cerces massif. Most of the route is above 2,000 metres in altitude.
Circular Cerces via the Col de la Ponsonnière
8.09 mi
+2,661 ft
-2,654 ft
6h 00
Moderate
Departure from Valloire (Savoie)
From Plan Lachat, a circular takes you over three passes (La Ponsonnière, Cerces and Rochilles) and past five lakes (Ponsonnière, Grand Lac, Cerces, Grand Ban and Rond).
The view of Lautaret and the Aiguilles d'Arves is splendid, and the rocks of Pic de la Moulinière and Pointe des Cerces are impressive.
Lac et Col de la Ponsonnière via the Grand Lac
8.33 mi
+3,084 ft
-3,087 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
An alternative route for the round trip to Le Grand Lac and Lac de la Ponsonnière allows for a circular route involving a chimney passage, but this restricts access to those with at least some mountain experience.A breathtaking, panoramic view of the Écrins Massif: Mont Pelvoux, the Barre des Écrins, the Pic de Neige Cordier, the Meije, the Rateau and more.
4 days in the Clarée Valley (Cerces and Thabor)
30.15 mi
+12,549 ft
-12,520 ft
4 days
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
This 4-day circular bivouac is for experienced hikers.
It does, of course, follow sections of marked trails (GR®,GRP®), but the nature of the terrain when off-trail requires extreme caution (rock falls) and a solid knowledge of navigation, especially in unpredictable weather. The daily summit climb is obviously dependent on your equipment (crampons?), weather conditions (snowfields?) and your physical fitness.
Grand Galibier from the Pont de l'Alp
11.67 mi
+5,348 ft
-5,341 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
A magnificent hike leading to the legendary Grand Galibier viewpoint, from where you can admire almost the entire French Alps. Part of the hike is off-trail and often on poorly marked paths, but the most difficult part of the route is well marked with cairns.
On the agenda: unique panoramic views, numerous crystal-clear lakes, friendly wildlife, wild valleys dating back to the Ice Age, all under the deep blue skies of the Hautes-Alpes.
To take in the full spectrum of colours from the Pont de l’Alpe
10.73 mi
+3,816 ft
-3,799 ft
8h 15
Difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
This is a walk that will take you through a whole range of colours. From the green and blue of the lakes – the Grand Lac, Lac de la Ponsonnière, Lac de la Mine, etc. – to the green, red, grey and white of the Pic de la Moulinière, and the black of the old graphite mine. Panoramic views of the Écrins and Cerces massifs.This route is a variation on the ‘Lac et Col de la Ponsonnière’ hike via the Grand Lac, which we have extended.
Refuge des Drayères – Pont de l’Alpe
9.08 mi
+2,014 ft
-3,563 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
3rd and final stage. Starting from the Refuge des Drayères, head up to the source of the Clarée and return to Pont de l’Alpe via the Col de la Ponsonnière. A tour of the Massif des Cerces taking in numerous lakes, each more beautiful than the last: in turn, the Clarée, Rond, Grand Ban, Cerces, Ponsonnière and, finally, the Grand Lac.
Tête de Colombe
9.36 mi
+4,757 ft
-4,757 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Le Monêtier-les-Bains (Hautes-Alpes)
The Tête de Colombe (3,022 m) is a magnificent vantage point accessible to walkers, situated on the ridge running from the eponymous Roche Colombe to the Grand Galibier. Ibex are abundant here; there are no signposted paths leading to this ridge, with the exception of a few cairn-marked tracks.
The spectacular panorama over the highest peaks of the Écrins, Grandes Rousses, Cerces and Queyras stretches as far as Mont Blanc and Viso.
Laval car park - Lac des Cerces
7.23 mi
+3,537 ft
-2,254 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
First day of a 4-day circular starting from the Laval car park in the Upper Clarée Valley. As with the other parts of this circular, this route is intended for experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.
Chalet de Laval - Alpe du Lauzet
8.12 mi
+2,785 ft
-3,793 ft
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A traverse of the Cerces massif via one of its highest passes (Béraudes) and some very beautiful lakes.And a chance to see much of the previous day’s descent route, as well as the many lakes on the other side.In early summer, the route can be made difficult by the presence of snow in the Lac des Béraudes cirque or a snow cornice on the Col des Béraudes (speaking from experience).
