The Belvédère du Grand Aréa

Almost perfectly pyramid-shaped when viewed from Briançon, the summit of the Grand Aréa attracts all the tourists in the valley. This means that we are never alone at the top.

Details

7402
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 715 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 713 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,861 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,160 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the road to the Col du Granon and park at the sheepfold in the hairpin bend at an altitude of 2,171 metres.
(S/E) Leave the car park and quickly find the directional signs.

(1) Head towards the path marked Grand Aréa. Climb quickly up the winding path, following the yellow rectangles on the rocks. Reach a ridge descending from the Grand Aréa and ending at the Petit Aréa.

(2) Continue to the right, the slope becomes gentler, and you will reach a wide, grassy area before beginning the final climb. About ten switchbacks higher up, a sign indicates the summit and the return via the Col de Buffère.
Reach the summit.

(3) Return to the last sign and begin the descent on the right. After a few metres, you will come to another crossroads. Leave the path in front of you and take the Buffère path on the left.
Continue along the switchbacks to the Col de Buffère.

(4) Take theGR®57on the left (sign and markings) to join a wider track.

(5) Take it on the left and continue until you cross the old military road, then turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,174 m - Bergerie car park
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 2,179 m - Start sign
  3. 2 : km 1.57 - alt. 2,562 m - Crête du Petit Aréa
  4. 3 : km 2.47 - alt. 2,861 m - Grand Aréa
  5. 4 : km 4.56 - alt. 2,413 m - Col de Buffère (2427m)
  6. 5 : km 7.06 - alt. 2,239 m - Military track
  7. S/E : km 8.98 - alt. 2,176 m - Bergerie car park

Notes

No source for this route.
There are numerous shelters but they have no roofs.

Worth a visit

The Grand Aréa is often preceded by the word Belvédère, which is really the right word for this summit. It offers breathtaking views of the entire Alpine arc. The Ecrins are close by, of course, but you can also see the Vanoise, the Mont Blanc massif and the nearby Italian mountains.
This is an old optical station that allowed soldiers to communicate with each other from Grenoble to Nice. To do this, signals were passed from peak to peak using mirrors and the sun. Of course, this was problematic on rainy days.
Note: this route is part of one of the latest FFRP guidebooks entitled Les environs de Briançon à pied (The Briançon area on foot), which was produced in collaboration with the Association des Randonneurs et Baliseurs du Briançonnais (Briançon Hiking and Trail Marking Association). This guidebook features 39 hikes from La Grave to Névache, passing through the Guisane and Clarée valleys.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 34 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Laurence du Béal
Laurence du Béal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part up to the Buffère pass was great, but like everyone else, I found the return trip along the military track very long.

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route. The return via the military track is a bit long and monotonous, but the view is very beautiful.
There weren't too many people on this sunny first Sunday in August. The picnic at the summit was pleasant, with few hikers and no drones!

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pinrouge
pinrouge
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
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, the climb seemed difficult for us at 68 years old, but we were very happy to reach the summit with this view. The return via the path set back from the military road (as indicated on Visiorando) would have been a better option.

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Calim
Calim

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, unfortunately no view for us when we reached the summit due to very overcast weather. The return trip is a bit long via the trail, but there is a beautiful view of the valley

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VirginieL
VirginieL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb is a bit steep at times, but the view from the top, with a 360-degree panorama, is well worth the effort, especially of the Ecrins massif. Best done in good weather with clear skies to enjoy the view.

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sben
sben

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I had a tough time! The climb is steep, but not vertiginous, for those who are worried. It's true that when you see the Grand Aréa de Briançon, you wonder how you can possibly reach the summit without climbing! But don't worry, there's a good little path.
The view from the top is magnificent.
The return trip was a bit long, and I regretted not bringing more water.
Thanks for the route description.

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AudreyCochyn
AudreyCochyn

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike with a few sections on the descent in areas with scree slopes (not suitable for people with vertigo or young children).
Otherwise, beautiful views all along the route

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Carlos24
Carlos24

Hello, I would like to know if, starting from the Buffère pass and climbing up to the Grand Aréa, then descending to the par king de la bergerie, there are any vertiginous or very technical sections. Thank you for your reply

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maxremalian
maxremalian

I would like to know if there is still snow and if it is possible to climb to the summit without snow. Thank you for your reply

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DOHOUNICOLE
DOHOUNICOLE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Stunning views.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

It's a shame because the view from up there is superb. And as for the snow, it's true that it often lingers at around 2,800 metres above sea level, even at the beginning of July.

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xavlec
xavlec

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, but the snow forced us to turn back just before reaching the summit of Grand Aréa.

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Stef49
Stef49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 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 offering a 360° view. We had a magnificent blue sky and were able to see the impressive Mont Blanc.

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JP3000
JP3000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb panorama on a clear day

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mijalou
mijalou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The main attraction is the 360° panorama; there are no technical difficulties on the climb
Return via the Col de Buffère
From the pass to the starting point, the 4.5 km stretch of military track is a bit tedious

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