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Le Désert en Valjouffrey walks
A 13-day grand tour of the Parc des Ecrins via the GR® 54
Visorando Member
105.16 mi
+37,625 ft
-39,075 ft
13 days
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
A very challenging 180 km route with 12,000 metres of elevation gain, requiring excellent physical fitness. Stages offering spectacular scenery, steep mountains, passes, wildlife, flora and colours. The most beautifulGR® route we have ever done. We completed the route in August, the ideal time to tackle the most difficult passes, which are likely to be snow-covered early in the season, such as La Muzelle, l’Aup Martin, the Pas de la Cavale, de la Valette, Vallonpierre and de La Vaurze.
Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey - Valsenestre
7.01 mi
+3,330 ft
-3,278 ft
6h 05
Difficult
Departure from Valjouffrey (Isère)
Ethird stage involving the ascent of a pass with no major technical difficulty, though the gradient is steep in places and differs slightly from the route shown on the IGN map. From the top of the pass, there is a splendid view of the Col de la Muzelle, the Roche de la Muzelle and the Pic du Clapier du Peyron on either side, promising a beautiful stage for the following day. During the descent, you pass through a maze of large, intertwined slabs of slate clinging to the mountainside.
Refuge des Souffles - Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey
6.85 mi
+2,221 ft
-4,491 ft
5h 05
Difficult
Departure from Villar-Loubière (Hautes-Alpes)
Thesecond stage of this route, which we unfortunately completed in the rain in 6 hours and 10 minutes. We set off from the Refuge des Souffles with a steep climb right from the start up to the Col de la Vaurze. A challenging pass from which the view must be magnificent on a clear day. A descent over slate-covered ground, which is very slippery in wet weather. Numerous landslides. The reward: the Les Arias lodge, where we received a warm welcome.
Walks near Le Désert en Valjouffrey
Le Lauvet - Lac Labarre
11.84 mi
+4,869 ft
-3,711 ft
9h 40
Difficult
Departure from Valjouffrey (Isère)
From Le Lauvet, descend to La Chapelle-en-Valjouffrey. Then take the Sentier du Facteur trail, cross the Haute Vallée du Béranger nature reserve in Valsenestre, and finish on the GR®54B trail to Lac Labarre.
Refuge des Souffles - Refuge de l'Olan
5.32 mi
+3,061 ft
-1,837 ft
5h 05
Difficult
Departure from Villar-Loubière (Hautes-Alpes)
A magnificent second stage in a very mineral setting, culminating in the Pas de l'Olan pass.
From the Souffles refuge, continue on theGR® 54 towards Lac Lautier, then the Col des Colombes and finally the Pas de l'Olan (caution: technical passage).
From the pass, admire the landscape before gently descending to the Refuge de l'Olan.
Valsenestre - Refuge de la Muzelle
6.07 mi
+4,541 ft
-1,886 ft
6h 45
Difficult
Departure from Valjouffrey (Isère)
A short 10 km stage but with 1,400 m of elevation gain, featuring the very technical and rocky ascent of the Col de la Muzelle. It requires the utmost caution, especially with a heavy rucksack. A narrow passage between two magnificent mountains, the Roche de La Muzelle and the Pic du Clapier du Peyron. Throughout the ascent, you are surrounded by mountain ranges over 3,000 m high. From the pass, there is a splendid view of the rest of the Glacier de la Muzelle, the lake and the corridor leading down to Valsenestre.
Villar-Loubière - Refuge des Souffles
2.92 mi
+3,005 ft
-3 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Villar-Loubière (Hautes-Alpes)
Efirst stage to warm up your legs before climbing to the Refuge des Souffles.
From Villar-Loubière to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar via Lac du Lautier
8.29 mi
+4,780 ft
-4,475 ft
8h 00
Difficult
Departure from Villar-Loubière (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful, varied hike with stunning views and a lake perfect for relaxing. A pleasant climb (a little steep at the start and very end), in the shade (early in the morning) for a good half of the route; a fairly long and difficult descent over scree. A full day's hike. Use the shuttle bus or bring two vehicles.
Lac Labarre - Lac du Vallon
6.06 mi
+3,192 ft
-2,828 ft
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Valjouffrey (Isère)
From Lac Labarre, the route follows part of the GR®54B. You will cross the Col de la Romeïou, the Cabane de la Selle, then the Col du Paletas. From there, a wild hike along the ridges, passing by the Neyrard at an altitude of 2,796 m, will take you to Lac du Vallon.
Refuge de la Muzelle - Lodge l'Emparis in Mizoën
9.89 mi
+3,045 ft
-6,040 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Vénosc (Isère)
After a challenging and technical day on this trek, today is a transitional stage leading to the magnificent village of Mizoën. The descent to Venosc is absolutely stunning, featuring beautiful waterfalls.
Then, after a cable car ride reducing the elevation gain to 300 m, you’ll cross the resort of Les Deux Alpes, dominated by the Girose Glacier. You’ll reach Lac Chambon and the splendid village of Mizoën with its Lodge l’Emparis.
Olan Mountain Hut – Clot Mountain Hut (Xavier Blanc)
8.28 mi
+1,152 ft
-4,216 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
A very beautiful third stage, albeit a little long, mainly at the bottom of the valley along the Séveraisse.
La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar - Refuge des Souffles
6.40 mi
+4,393 ft
-1,496 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
Thefirst stage begins with a variant ofthe GR® 54 and takes you to the Refuge des Souffles via the Col de Colombes, Lac Lautier and the Col des Clochettes, avoiding the route through Villar-Loubière.
A challenging route with a 1,400-metre climb and steep gradients right from the start. A good way to get your legs going for thefirst stage and a good warm-up for the rest of the route.
The scenery is already exceptional, promising some fabulous stages ahead.
Lakes of Sebeyras - Le Lauvet
11.26 mi
+5,390 ft
-6,211 ft
9h 50
Very difficult
Departure from La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
From the Sebeyras Lakes, the route will first take you to the Col de Pétarel. From there, you will descend towards Saint-Maurice-en-Valgodemar. You will then follow the old transhumance paths to reach the Six Cabanes, then climb the Col de Menoux to Lauvet.