Crête de la Gardette

de fr

This is a beautiful, easy hike offering stunning scenery for most of the route, ending with views over the Lac de Serre-Ponçon valley as far as Gap.

Details

n°367853
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.68 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 644 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 644 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,284 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,640 m
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Photos

Panorama
Gentians as far as the eye can see
On the ridge
Col de la Gardette (Hautes-Alpes)

Description of the walk

Access: the start is at Serre Michèle because the vehicle ban is now well before the Pré du Clot car park indicated on IGN maps. Head to Chorges east of Gap and take the D69 towards Les Andrieux. Continue towards Col de la Gardette until you reach Les Chirouzes.

(S/E) From there, the road is no longer paved and it is about 2 km to a small car park before the no entry sign. Continue uphill on the forest track.

(1) Go through the gate at the entrance to Pré du Clot and continue in the same direction.

(2) About 250 m further up, leave the main track and turn right. The path hooks to the left. The Col de la Gardette is signposted. Continue in this direction.

(3) Shortly after crossing a scree slope, you will reach Col de la Gardette after about an hour and a half of walking.

(4) Reach the Crête de la Gardette on the right and continue south for about 20 minutes. The path is well marked and not exposed.

Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,640 m - At Serre Michèle
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 1,691 m - Pré du Clot
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 1,708 m - Turn right
  4. 3 : km 3.54 - alt. 2,125 m - Col de la Gardette
  5. 4 : km 4.34 - alt. 2,284 m - High point on the ridge - View of the - Lac de Serre-Ponçon
  6. S/E : km 8.68 - alt. 1,640 m - At Serre Michèle

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 3672543

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty hike, done in the morning with very few people around. The car park mentioned is not accessible with a standard car, so we parked further down, about 1 km from the actual start of the hike. This means the total distance is 12 km.
The route is very varied, passing through meadows, forests and mountain pastures. It is also very flowery, with impressive biodiversity (insects, birds and marmots!).
The breathtaking view of the lakes and mountains on arrival makes up for the effort of the climb.
A beautiful hike, not to be missed!

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ChristianG1
ChristianG1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Be sure to follow the ridge and don't stop at the Gardette Pass. The view of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the valley is magnificent.

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Jean Marc1
Jean Marc1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk, superb view at the end.

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manapani51
manapani51

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike is mainly on a stony path, which is not very pleasant, up to the summit. There is a beautiful view from the top.
It won't leave a lasting impression compared to other hikes in the area.

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fanee
fanee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, magnificent views all along the way.
We parked at the first car park because the unpaved road is very damaged.
So that's an extra 4 km, which is a good warm-up!
And it took us an hour less than the estimated time!

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jp dheilly
jp dheilly
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike we did in the cool of the morning. We set off at 6am. The road to get there is passable as far as the first car park, but you have to drive slowly.
Then you have to follow the path to the pass. At the pass, the landscape changes with the sun. The sheep were still locked in their pens, and we were able to watch them being released with the sheepdogs (from a distance, of course)
Then you have to go to the summit to see the Aiguilles de Chabrieres.
A beautiful, easy hike with a slight incline

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pgriot
pgriot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike.
For your information, you can easily continue along the ridge to the pass at the foot of the Aiguille de Chabrières.
After the pass, it may be more difficult. We didn't go to see; near the summit, it must be a bit exposed.

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Dominique West
Dominique West

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route. We parked at the end of the tarmac road, which added an hour and a half to the round trip, at least for us.
At this time of year, everything was in bloom. At the pass, we saw four golden eagles.
One of our most beautiful hikes

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Audrey34s
Audrey34s

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed with athletic children aged 8 and 10 without any problems. The route was completed within the indicated time frame.
Magnificent inland panorama from the Col de la Gardette. The view of Lake Serre-Ponçon is exceptional.

We parked at the roadside by the parking sign, even though there was a car park just a few metres further on.

One small downside: the road from the last village is in poor condition! Take care with your tyres.

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dela.mae
dela.mae

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike offering lovely views of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the Gap Valley. The only downside to this hike is the 2 km forest road to reach the car park, which is not accessible to all vehicles. Personally, we preferred to leave our car on the side of the road 1 km before reaching the car park and then walk the rest of the way.

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perpat1960
perpat1960

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk, no difficulty.

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FRANCOBEASALVUCCI
FRANCOBEASALVUCCI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes and vegetation. However, it is best to avoid very hot weather, as you quickly leave the forest behind.

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