Argentière station - Ravin des Serres

(S) From Argentière-les-Écrins station, take the first exit at the roundabout towards Chapelle Saint-Jean. At the next two roundabouts, take the first and second exits respectively.

(1) At Chapelle Saint-Jean, continue along Rue Saint-Jean, then take Rue du Château until you reach a three-way junction.
Turn left onto Rue de la Magdelaine and cross the bridge.

(2) On the other side, turn right onto an unpaved road towards Col des Lauzes, then immediately left onto a small path leading up towards the forest.
The path leads to a tarmac road with a small hydroelectric dam (there is a bridge on the right).

(3) Continue straight ahead on the path. Take the next bridge, then continue towards the Vallée du Fournel and the Col de la Pousterie to join and follow the GR®54A, marked in white and red, towards the west.

(4) From the Fournel Silver Mines, continue straight ahead, following the GR®54A towards Pas de la Cavale (destination to follow until arrival).

(5) From Les Albrands, continue on the GR®54A and turn left towards the Deslioures Biological Reserve.

(6) Cross a small stream. The path may disappear between the rocks: keep heading south-west. Shortly afterwards, enter the Deslioures Biological Reserve, which is subject to specific legislation: see Practical Information.

(7) At the exit of the biological reserve, cross the Torrent du Fournel via the bridge, then continue on the GR®54A, beginning a more sustained climb.

(8) Take care in this area ( see photo): just before the Cabane de la Balme, the path has a slightly difficult section where there has been a rockfall. The ground is loose and offers little grip. Walk for about 3 km, then you will enter the Écrins National Park (specific legislation: see Practical Information).

(9) At the Grande Cabane, there is a shelter marked "Abri du GR®" on your right (see Practical Information).
Continue towards the Pas de la Cavale by following the GR®54A for about 1 km to reach a plateau near the Ravin des Serres, where you can camp (E).

Please note: this route crosses the Écrins National Park and the Deslioures Reserve. See: Park and Deslioures regulations

Information about the route:

• Mobile phone coverage is very poor on arrival.
• Time taken by the author of the hike: 6 hours 10 minutes (with a 15 kg rucksack).
• Frequency of use: low.

Accommodation:

(9) GR® shelter, more info here: https://www.refuges.info/ (very poor mobile phone coverage).
(E) Bivouac on a plateau near the Ravin des Serres, close to a stream and marmots (very poor mobile phone reception).

Water nearby:

• km 5.0 - Near (4): Stream
• km 8.1 - Near (6): Ravin de l'Alpet stream
• km 10.3 - Ravin du Deyver stream
• km 10.8 - Ravin du Pleynet stream
• km 11.6 - Torrent de la Folie
• km 12.9 - Serre Daurelle stream
• km 12.0 - Source of Serre Daurelle
• km 13.8 - Ravin de la Clape stream
• km 15.7 - Ravin du Combal stream
• km 16.8 - Ravin du Petit Clausis stream
• km 17.2 - Fournel Torrent
• km 17.2 - Near (9): Fountain on the left at La Grande Cabane