The Désert en Vajouffrey via the Col de Côte Belle

The route starts from the car park on the right-hand side as you arrive in Valsenestre.

(S) Look out for the blue ‘Le Béranger’ sign and follow the^GR®54B, which climbs gently from where the sign is located. Continue to the junction with the^GR®54.

(1) Leave the path leading up to the Col de la Muzelle on your left. Continue to the right on the^GR®54, which will take you to the Col de Côte Belle, some 800 metres higher up, without any risk of getting lost. Along the way, just before the pass, you’ll walk past some old slate quarries.

(2) At the pass, do not head straight down in front of you. The^GR®54has been rerouted as the original path was quite steep and unsafe, but the old track still exists and can be followed. It is preferable to take the well-marked path on your left, which winds its way down in several hairpin bends to join the old route at an altitude of around 2,000 metres.

Continue along the clearly visible^GR®54path. Ignore the start of the tracks on your left (which you may not even notice) heading towards the Combe des Marmes (these tracks are not shown on some 1:25,000 IGN maps). Stay on the^GR®54. You will then rejoin the^GR® route at the junction with the Combe de l’Ourselaire path.

(3) Leave this path on your right and continue left along the^GR®54. Descend the Combe de Cognet. Stay on the^GR®54and follow the Ruisseau de la Laisse. Further down, as you approach the Désert en Valjouffrey, you’ll come to a point where the path veers away from the stream.

(4) Continue along the^GR® to easily reach the Désert en Valjouffrey (E).

This hike requires at least two vehicles, as the finish is not at the starting point, unless you are hiking the^GR®54.
You must set off with a sufficient supply of water as there are no water sources along the route.
This walk has been classified as ‘Difficult’ due to its length and elevation gain, but in no way because of technical difficulties.
This walk, which follows the^GR®54long-distance footpath in its entirety, presents no navigation difficulties. It can be undertaken starting from Le Désert in Valjouffrey. Personally, I prefer to do it in the direction suggested.

You’ll be hiking in the heart of the Écrins National Park.

The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a natural, cultural and scenic heritage that is truly unique. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue, white and red flags, and certain regulations must be observed within this area. Please familiarise yourself with these regulations when planning your hike, to help preserve this shared heritage, at https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.

Be sure to take a look at the slate quarries you’ll come across before reaching the Col de Côte Belle.