La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar walks

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.

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.

A circular loop to discover the Oulles du Diable, the result of the formidable force of nature. The climb to the hamlet of Les Portes is very steep, as is the end of the descent. However, be careful of this dangerous torrent where tragic accidents regularly occur! Please note: a few metres after the Pont du Diable, the path is closed because it has disappeared due to a landslide following bad weather. You must turn back.

Very nice, accessible hike: no difficult passages, breathtaking views of the glaciers all the way, regular waterfalls, marmots, an incredible end to the hike with the Oules du Diable. Hike done on August 23, 2014, a year with a lot of water, we were lucky: waterfalls and torrents "at full throttle" and a very flowery route!

Magnificent walk between the Pont des Oules du Diable and the Cascade du Buchardet waterfall.

Near La Chapelle-en-Vagaudémar, in the hamlet of Les Portes, a quick detour takes you to the Navette torrent and, beyond the Roman bridge, to the Oules du Diable with their bubbling giant's kettles.

Lakes of breathtaking beauty in a mineral setting, with magnificent views of the Valgaudemar peaks.

A beautiful loop in the Valgaudemar valley above the Pétarel Lakes.

A beautiful alpine hike leads to Le Chapeau, a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the Valgaudemar valley and the peaks of Olan and Cime du Vallon.

This family-friendly loop follows the torrent to the Romanesque bridge of Les Oulles and continues with a visit to the bubbling giant's pots, the "Oulles du Diable".

Above La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, after the hamlet of Les Portes in the pastoral valley of Navette, the Buffe torrent cascades down a 400-metre cliff.

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.

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.

Efirst stage to warm up your legs before climbing to the Refuge des Souffles.

Route at the foot of Pic des Souffles and Pic Turbat to discover Lac Lautier and its surroundings.

Thesecond stage of this route, which we unfortunately completed in the rain in 6 hours and 10 minutes. We set off from the Refuge des Souffles with a steep climb right from the start up to the Col de la Vaurze. A challenging pass from which the view must be magnificent on a clear day. A descent over slate-covered ground, which is very slippery in wet weather. Numerous landslides. The reward: the Les Arias lodge, where we received a warm welcome.

A magnificent second stage in a very mineral setting, culminating in the Pas de l'Olan pass. From the Souffles refuge, continue on theGR® 54 towards Lac Lautier, then the Col des Colombes and finally the Pas de l'Olan (caution: technical passage). From the pass, admire the landscape before gently descending to the Refuge de l'Olan.

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.

Hike with a panorama that changes throughout the crossing from the Chabournéou Refuge via the Beaume Rousse balcony and then the Tirière plateau. Magnificent view of the surrounding peaks and the Valgaudemar valley.

A beautiful climb to the Vallonpierre refuge is followed by a superb crossing that leads to the Chabournéou refuge, in high mountain terrain beneath the elegant north face of the Sirac.

A magnificent route in the Giobernay Glacial Cirque, starting from the Chalet-Hôtel of the same name.

A lovely round trip hike in a magnificent setting to reach the Refuge-Hôtel du Pigeonnier.

A short walk leads to a peaceful lake where, in good weather, the neighbouring peaks are reflected. Moderator's warning on 12/10/2020: Caution! The two small bridges over the Torrent du Lauzon have been washed away. See the notice by Lnltrn dated 12/10/2020

Access to the Refuge du Pigeonnier via the Cabane du Vaccivier and its wilder trail. The refuge is perched at the end of a ridge, overlooking the Gioberney valley with views of peaks such as Les Rouies, Les Bans and Le Sirac.

A family loop trail among waterfalls and flowers to Lac Bleu and Lac Lauzon, in the exceptional setting of the Cirque du Gioberney, above the Voile de la Mariée waterfall. Moderator's warning on 12/10/2020: Caution! The two small bridges over the Lauzon Torrent have been washed away. See the notice from Lnltrn dated 12/10/2020.

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.

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.