The Col de l'Ardouère loop from Molines-en-Champsaur

From Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, take the D23, then the D123 towards La Motte-en-Champsaur. Drive through the village and take the road to Molines-en-Champsaur, where you will reach the car park at an altitude of 1,220 metres after 4 kilometres on a small road that may be temporarily blocked by flooding from the Torrent des Pins.
Park in the large car park at the entrance to the village on the right.

(S/E) From the car park, turn right and follow the sign for "Départ des randonnées" (hiking trailhead) (yellow markings). Walk up along the Séveraissette and Peyron Roux torrents to the village.

(1) Opposite the sign, turn left towards "Cabane de Peyron Roux". Return to the village and take the street on the right just after the ONF lodge. Walk up through the village on the tarmac road, heading north-east. Pass in front of the church and arrive at the edge of the village, in the forest.

(2) Take the path on the right, still heading towards "Cabane de Peyron Roux".

(3) Continue along the forest path to the north, towards "Col de l'Ardouère", and follow the stream on the right bank until you reach the start of the trail 300 m further on.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the left, leaving the forest track. Climb gradually through the forest, following the boundary of the Écrins National Park.
Cross the Torrent des Baumettes, the Torrent de Chau Creuse, then the Torrent de l'Orteyer and its waterfalls at the edge of the forest. Finally, cross the Torrent du Vallon to reach the Cabane de Peyron Roux, sheltered under the larch trees.

(5) Continue climbing to the left along the path leading to the Col de Font Froide for 750 metres. Crossthe Torrent de Peyron Roux and climb a few switchbacks to the intersection at an altitude of 1,695 metres.

(6) Take the barely visible path on the left towards the Col de l'Ardouère (not signposted), ignoring the path on the right that climbs to the Col de Font Froide (signposted).
The path is fairly well marked and begins by skirting around the Aiguille de Peyron to the west, then climbs northwards. It winds its way around the rocks and crosses a first torrent with a few aerial passages.
Cross the Torrent du Vallon, heading west, and cross a few more ravines before passing the Torrent de l'Orteyer and turning south. The route runs diagonally across the eastern slope of the Col de l'Ardouère, before the final hairpin bends leading to the pass.

(7) From the pass, the descent down the western slope is very steep. Be careful ! You need to be sure-footed. Otherwise, it is better to turn back and descend via the path you took on the way up.

For experienced hikers: continue along the path, which is still very narrow, plunging south-west and winding its way down steep slopes. Then cross westwards, crossing several ravines.
Descend in switchbacks in the most enclosed part of the slope. Then walk along a narrow ledge. The path winds diagonally and in switchbacks on slopes that are less steep but still challenging.
Reachthe edge of the Ruisseau des Pins, where the path continues along the left bank (cairns) with large steps.

(8) Continue the descent opposite, ignoring the path on the right leading to the Col des Portes. Enter the larch woods with their welcome shade. At around 1,500 metres, cross a few logging tracks but continue to follow the smooth path through the undergrowth.

(9) Continue on the path opposite, heading south until you reach the Tour de Molines path.

(10) Follow a less marked path through the fir trees, heading south-east, to reach the tarmac road and the car park (S/E).

Be careful! After the Cabane de Peyron Roux, the Col de l'Ardouère trail is neither maintained nor clearly marked. Very narrow in places, it winds its way up the slopes to the pass, so it's best not to put a foot wrong!
On the eastern side, the difficulty is moderate: diagonal climbs, a few short exposed sections, and the arrival at the pass is easy.
However, the western side of the pass is very steep. More technical, the trail is very exposed, even vertiginous, with a passage on a narrow ledge over the edge of the void! Be very careful as the slightest slip could be fatal.

In the village of Molines-en-Champsaur: fountain and food available at the Auberge Gaillard.
In addition to its renowned cuisine, the inn offers six rooms for those who wish to extend their stay in Molines-en-Champsaur. Whether for a meal or an overnight stay, booking is strongly recommended. Tel. +33 (0)6 09 30 07 47 or +33 (0)4 92 43 40 99 auberge-gaillard.fr

Where the crystal-clear waters of the Peyron Roux and Muande torrents meet, in the shadow of the Vieux Chaillol, Molines-en-Champsaur enjoys a beautiful natural setting. Its name is linked to the mills that once stood here. Mass emigration to the United States, the two world wars of the 20th century and violent floods emptied the village of its inhabitants, leaving the hamlets of Roy, Sellon, Londonnière and Boyers to fall prey to the ravages of time. However, a few permanent residents still live in the village of Molines.
This gateway to the Écrins is the starting point for many hikes.

(3) Just after the footbridge, a micro power station was built during the Second World War by "Jeunesse et Montagne" (Youth and Mountains). Created in the aftermath of the 1940 debacle by a group of air force officers, this organisation, which was a melting pot for many resistance fighters and future guides, gave rise to the UCPA a quarter of a century later.

(5) Located opposite the Cabane de Peyron Roux, at a place called Gibet, a vein of cipolin (white marble) was mined locally before 1950. Remains such as the access path, the old hut and the processing platform are still visible. The white marble from this site frames the doors and windows of the village of Molines, particularly those of its chapel.