La Tête d'Amont

de fr

A challenging hike in a high-mountain setting towards a peak in the Montbrison massif, a true vantage point over the Hautes Cimes des Écrins. On a clear day, there is a sweeping panorama stretching from Mont Blanc to Monte Viso.
Due to the large number of junctions, I recommend supplementing the route description with the Visorando app.

Details

n°922946
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.10 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 8 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,512 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,512 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,219 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,707 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Pointe de l'Aiglière, La Blanche, Pics de Bonvoisin, Jocelme des Aupillous, Les Bans.
L'Ailefroide, Pic Sans Nom, Pelvoux, Barre des Écrins, Grande Sagne, Pics de Neige, Cordier de Séguret, de Clouzis and de Gardiner
Bird’s-eye view of the Croix de la Salcette
La Tête d'Aval

Description of the walk

From Vallouise, drive down the D994E towards L’Argentière-la-Bessée for 1.5 km, then turn left onto the D704 to Le Petit Parcher. At the hamlet, turn right and then drive down the small road. Park on the left about 200 m along a wall.

(S/E) Walk back up the road, continuing in the same direction to the Petit Parcher chapel.

(1) Next to the chapel, take the path on the right heading east for about 70m, then turn left to join a lane.

(2) Turn right onto this lane and follow it up. The lane turns into a path that winds its way across a small irrigation channel at around 1,340m (east). The path turns north-east until it meets another lane.

(3) Turn left into the wide lane. Follow it up to the next junction of lanes.

(4) Turn 90° right onto the lane, heading north-east. This gradually turns into a path, climbing steeply to a junction marked by the IGN which is easy to miss (the path that is supposed to go left is barely visible).

(5) Turn right towards the east, heading for the Fouène-Rote fountain. Climb for a long time, ignoring the first path that descends to the right and, further on, the second that branches off to the left. Reach the left flank of the saddle connecting the Tête d’Amont to the Tête d’Aval on the right (cairns).

(6) Turn left at the saddle, then follow a well-marked path up the ridge of the peak to reach the summit area marked by a cairn.

(7) After a moment’s contemplation, follow the same route back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,707 ft - Park on the right after Le Petit Parcher. - Gyronde (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 3,802 ft - Chapel
  3. 2 : mi 0.34 - alt. 4,052 ft - Crossroads: path, track
  4. 3 : mi 0.86 - alt. 4,534 ft - Crossroads: path, track
  5. 4 : mi 1.09 - alt. 4,711 ft - Crossroads of paths
  6. 5 : mi 1.34 - alt. 5,092 ft - Crossroads of paths
  7. 6 : mi 3.35 - alt. 8,799 ft - Saddle
  8. 7 : mi 3.55 - alt. 9,219 ft - Summit - Tête d'Amont (2814m)
  9. S/E : mi 7.1 - alt. 3,707 ft - Parking on the right after Le Petit Parcher

Notes

I have made a video showing the route and the atmosphere of this walk.

This route, which is entirely on footpaths, requires a good level of fitness due to significant elevation gain. Steep slopes. Note that there are a few short, steep sections that are very easy to navigate.

Crossing the Bois Noir requires care as several small paths cut across the route. Apart from a few cairns, there is little or no signposting. For this reason , a map, compass and altimeter are essential.
Navigation using a GPS or smartphone, after downloading the map and the track, is even recommended here. The Visorando app is well suited to this purpose.

At (4), this is, of course, a junction of two paths on the ground. The path on the right quickly turns into a trail.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Chauvelinus
Chauvelinus

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

I set off from the large car park; there’s a car park there, and then the path is signposted all the way to point no. 4. There are steep, even very steep, slopes along almost the entire route, making it a tiring descent. The path is clearly marked all the way to the summit

Machine-translated

desacetdecorde
desacetdecorde

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are other routes for this very challenging hike.
For example, start from the Vivalp shop (a small shopping centre at the entrance to Vallouise) – park in a small car park at the start of the track – follow the tarmac track for the first 200 metres on the left bank of the Camparie, pass the DFCI water tank (on the left) and follow the track in the shade up to point 4.
Other starting points are possible in La Casse; head up towards Rocher Pointu (1,560 m) and follow the path through the woods that climbs between the Camparie and Rif Paulin and joins the main route near the 1,800-metre mark (beyond point 4)
Given the elevation gain and the steep gradient, this route is rarely used.

Machine-translated

morvanmartine2@gmail.com
morvanmartine2@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk, which climbs steeply right from the start; there’s a lovely view from the top, and the path is easy to follow with plenty of cairns along the way.

Machine-translated

Dd51
Dd51

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I’d watched the video about this climb before setting off, and I have to say I found the hike quite tough – the gradient is steep…

What’s more, I haven’t checked it myself, but a lady from the hamlet of Les Pres told me there was a less direct route up.
On 6 July, I climbed up to La Condamine (starting from the Chemin d’Adret on the Route de l’Echauda). The gradients are much gentler, so it’s more accessible (well, for us at least).

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Saint-Marcellin Spring

Visorando Member
La Font Saint-Marcellin
↔5.40 mi ↗+2,306 ft ↘-2,303 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vallouise (Hautes-Alpes)
An interesting circular route in the Bois de Parapin passing by the Saint-Marcellin fountain, offering a striking view of the superb south face of the Tête d’Amont. Important note: please read Paul B-G’s message detailing the exact location of the Saint-Marcellin spring.

Walking The Parchers from Vallouise

Visorando Member
↔4.27 mi ↗+387 ft ↘-367 ft ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Vallouise (Hautes-Alpes)
A very easy visit combining the traditional houses of Vallouise, grouped side by side, and those of Les Parchers, which are much more spread out.

Walking The Col de la Pousterle

Visorando Member
↔8.36 mi ↗+2,415 ft ↘-2,402 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Vigneaux (Hautes-Alpes)
A cool hike starting from the village of Les Vigneaux. The Col de la Pousterle can be reached by many routes, but this one takes the "Via Novo", the GR®50. At the pass, there is a view overlooking the Vallée de la Vallouise, and you can even see the front of the Glacier Blanc.

Walking The Rouchas tour

Visorando Member
Le tour du Rouchas
↔3.76 mi ↗+1,066 ft ↘-1,079 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Puy-Saint-Vincent (Hautes-Alpes)
Circular loop to explore Combe de Narreyroux and the Canaux trail in Puy-Saint-Vincent. It follows the 1800m discovery trail to the Pont de Narreyroux bridge, passing through the Combe, which is reminiscent of Switzerland. The return journey is along the botanical trail alongside the Canal Trail.

Walking Vallouise - Pré de la Chaumette Mountain Hut

Visorando Member
Vallouise - Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette
↔13.54 mi ↗+5,381 ft ↘-3,255 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Vallouise (Hautes-Alpes)
The Col de l'Aup Martin and the Pas de la Cavale from the Onde Valley, leading into the Champoléon Valley. The Aup Martin – what a pass! Note: This route is a stage of the Tour de l'Oisans but it is very challenging, particularly in early summer when there is still snow on the Col de l'Aup Martin. For this reason, a diversion has been put in place starting from Vallouise, passing through Puy Saint-Vincent, the Col de la Pousterle and the Fournel valley. You then join the Pas de la Cavale (GR®54A).

Walking Pousterle Plateau and Lac des Charbonières

Visorando Member
Plateau de la Pousterle et Lac des Charbonières
↔2.97 mi ↗+640 ft ↘-640 ft ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Les Vigneaux (Hautes-Alpes)
A pleasant walk suitable for families, a half-day outing, or when you’re short on time, particularly after rain.

Walking Coul d'Amont and Cabane de Chouvet circular loop from Le Poët

Visorando Member
Coul d'Amont et Cabane de Chouvet en boucle depuis Le Poët
↔5.34 mi ↗+2,513 ft ↘-2,516 ft ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pelvoux (Hautes-Alpes)
A lovely circular walk in the Pays des Écrins: chalets and balcony trails that give you time to admire the foothills of the Pelvoux. The pleasure of walking through a stunning landscape. Take time for a refreshing break at the Cabane de Chouvet. A truly beautiful walk awaits you up there.

Walking Les Têtes via Lac des Charbonnières

Visorando Member
Les Têtes par le Lac des Charbonnières
↔3.84 mi ↗+994 ft ↘-994 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Les Vigneaux (Hautes-Alpes)
This family hike allows you to discover the discreet but magnificent little Lac des Charbonnières and a splendid panorama from the summit of Les Têtes. The route is mainly through larch forest, alternating between trails and tracks, but does not present any major difficulties.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.