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; the car park is at an altitude of 1,220 metres, reached after 4 km along a narrow road which 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, following the sign for “Départ des randonnées” (yellow markings). Walk upstream along the Séveraissette and then the Peyron Roux streams until you reach the village.

(1) Opposite the sign, turn left towards “Cabane de Peyron Roux”. Head back towards the village and take the road on the right just after the ONF lodge. Walk up through the village along the tarmac road, heading north-east. Pass in front of the church and reach 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 track to the north, towards “Col de l’Ardouère”, and follow the stream along the right bank until you reach the start of the footpath 300 metres further on.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the left, leaving the forest track behind. 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 as you emerge from the forest. Finally, cross the Torrent du Vallon to reach the Cabane de Peyron Roux, sheltered beneath the larch trees.

(5) Continue the ascent to the left along the path leading to the Col de Font Froide for 750 m. Crossthe Torrent de Peyron Roux and climb a few hairpin bends to the junction at elevation 1695.

(6) Take the barely visible path on the left towards the Col de l’Ardouère (not signposted), ignoring the path on the right which climbs to the Col de Font Froide (signposted).
Fairly well marked, the path begins by skirting the Aiguille de Peyron to the west, then climbs due north. It winds its way over the rocks (the vegetation becomes sparser) and crosses a first torrent with a few exposed sections.
Cross the Torrent du Vallon, heading west, and cross a few more ravines before crossing the Torrent de l’Orteyer and turning south. The route cuts diagonally across the eastern slope of the Crête de la Saussette (with its jagged profile), before the final switchbacks leading to the Col de l’Ardouère.

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

For experienced walkers: continue along the path, which remains very narrow, as it plunges south-westwards and winds its way down steep slopes. Then traverse westwards, crossing several ravines.
Descend in switchbacks through the most enclosed part of the slope. Then walk along a narrow ledge. The path zigzags and winds its way down less steep but still challenging slopes.
Reachthe bank of the Ruisseau des Pins, where the path continues through the scree on 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 m, cross a few logging tracks but always follow the well-trodden path through the undergrowth.

(9) Continue along the path straight ahead, heading south, until you reach the Chemin du Tour de Molines.

(10) Follow a less well-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.