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Col du Palastre walks
The Col du Palastre
Visorando Member
6.90 mi
+3,074 ft
-3,012 ft
5h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas (Hautes-Alpes)
A pleasant circuit in Champsaur, allowing you to discover a small peak overlooking the Drac valley.
Crossing the southern tip of the Vénasque
6.40 mi
+3,445 ft
-3,442 ft
4 hrs
Extremely difficult
Departure from Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas (Hautes-Alpes)
A lovely walk through mountain pastures and along the ridge, from where you can admire the whole southern part of the Écrins Massif and much more besides.
The Palastre loop
6.91 mi
+2,595 ft
-2,572 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas (Hautes-Alpes)
An ascent through mountain pastures and alpine meadows to the pass and then the summit of the Palastre, a renowned viewpoint over the Champsaur valley. The rest of the loop towards the pass between the Pic du Clot Lamiande and the Pointe Prouveyrat is not well marked, but the view of the Vallon du Tourrond is worth the detour. Note that the southern exposure of the slope is offset on the descent by streams and waterfalls that refresh this long route, which is best suited to experienced walkers.
Walks near Col du Palastre
The six lakes of Orcières-Merlette, including Les Estaris
4.13 mi
+299 ft
-1,447 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Orcières (Hautes-Alpes)
This hike has been suitable for all ages since 2020. Using the chairlifts (Drouvet 1 and 2 for the outward journey and Roche Rousse for the return journey) makes it easy. The six large lakes are visited on the way down. A variant towards the Col de Freissinières is possible. The landscapes are magnificent, especially at the starting point at the top of Drouvet. The lakes are all very beautiful and diverse.
Lakes of Sebeyras - Le Lauvet
11.26 mi
+5,390 ft
-6,211 ft
9h 50
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
From the Sebeyras Lakes, the route will first take you to the Col de Pétarel. From there, you will descend towards Saint-Maurice-en-Valgodemar. You will then follow the old transhumance paths to reach the Six Cabanes, then climb the Col de Menoux to Lauvet.
Pré de la Chaumette Mountain Hut - Vallonpierre Mountain Hut
6.50 mi
+3,783 ft
-2,215 ft
6h 15
Difficult
Departure from Champoléon (Hautes-Alpes)
The12th stage of this route features three passes to cross, the last of which is particularly technical and difficult.
The panoramic views remain as exceptional as ever, with vistas of the majestic Chaillol, the Sirac and the Champoléon valley. The refuge is set in lush greenery at the bottom of a cirque at the foot of the Sirac and on the shores of the magnificent Lac de Vallonpierre. A campsite in a beautiful meadow at the foot of the Sirac, with a splendid view of the lake.
Fressinières Pass (Col)
13.19 mi
+4,482 ft
-4,911 ft
10h 00
Difficult
Departure from Orcières (Hautes-Alpes)
From Prapic to Dormillouse via the Fressinières Pass.
Please note: the height difference is only 1200 m.
Vallonpierre Refuge - La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar
8.45 mi
+112 ft
-3,999 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
Here we are at the final stage of this 13-day route around the magnificent Écrins National Park. A downhill stage that takes you to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, where this journey began 13 days earlier. A splendid start to the stage, all the way down to the glacial torrents. The panorama is breathtaking, surrounded by the most beautiful peaks of the southern part of the Écrins, already leaving us with a sense of nostalgia for the past 13 days. A route with no technical difficulty.
Vallonpierre refuge - Sebeyras lakes
14.23 mi
+4,291 ft
-4,255 ft
10h 15
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
From the Vallonpierre refuge, the hike takes you to the Rif du Sap chapel, then to the charming village of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar, where you can stop for refreshments at a local grocery store. The route then crosses the Valgaudémar National Forest before reaching the magnificent lakes of Pétarel and Sebeyras.
A 13-day grand tour of the Parc des Ecrins via the GR® 54
105.16 mi
+37,625 ft
-39,075 ft
13 days
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
A very challenging 180 km route with 12,000 metres of elevation gain, requiring excellent physical fitness. Stages offering spectacular scenery, steep mountains, passes, wildlife, flora and colours. The most beautifulGR® route we have ever done. We completed the route in August, the ideal time to tackle the most difficult passes, which are likely to be snow-covered early in the season, such as La Muzelle, l’Aup Martin, the Pas de la Cavale, de la Valette, Vallonpierre and de La Vaurze.
La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar - Refuge des Souffles
6.40 mi
+4,393 ft
-1,496 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
Thefirst stage begins with a variant ofthe GR® 54 and takes you to the Refuge des Souffles via the Col de Colombes, Lac Lautier and the Col des Clochettes, avoiding the route through Villar-Loubière.
A challenging route with a 1,400-metre climb and steep gradients right from the start. A good way to get your legs going for thefirst stage and a good warm-up for the rest of the route.
The scenery is already exceptional, promising some fabulous stages ahead.
From Rif du Sap to Navette via Le Chapeau
7.39 mi
+4,045 ft
-4,301 ft
6h 55
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful and challenging hike in the hills, varied with some unexpected sections. Stunning views. Be careful, there are many tricky and slippery sections. Avoid in wet weather.
From Villar-Loubière to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar via Lac du Lautier
8.29 mi
+4,780 ft
-4,475 ft
8h 00
Difficult
Departure from Villar-Loubière (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful, varied hike with stunning views and a lake perfect for relaxing. A pleasant climb (a little steep at the start and very end), in the shade (early in the morning) for a good half of the route; a fairly long and difficult descent over scree. A full day's hike. Use the shuttle bus or bring two vehicles.