The Pic de Charance

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Starting from Charance, the climb up the breach and to the peak offers breathtaking views of the Gapençais basin, the Durance valley and the Pic de Bure.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 781 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 782 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,835 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,046 m
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Photos

Ridge
The breach
The Pic de Charance
Gap

Description of the walk

In Gap, head towards Charance and drive up to the Domaine de Charance car park.

(S/E) From the Pré de la Danse, follow the main path that runs along the small lake on the left.

(1) Cross it on the right via a wooden footbridge, then take the path that winds its way up through the forest to the canal.

(2) Cross it, then climb up to the left on the mountainside. Pass the clearing to find the path that climbs up to the left. Ignore all the other paths and stay on the main marked trail. Halfway up, you can access the Rochasson viewpoint on the right (1350m), which offers a wide view of Gap.
Continue climbing to reach the foot of the rocky ridges marking the crest of the Charance mountain. Reach the breach (1,657 m) via a short, easy scree slope.

(3) Continue left along a path that leads up the mountainside to the Pic de Charance

(4) From the summit, return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,054 m - Parking at the Domaine de Charance
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 1,051 m - Turn right onto the footbridge
  3. 2 : km 1.49 - alt. 1,136 m - Go up to the left after crossing the - Canal de Gap
  4. 3 : km 3.95 - alt. 1,645 m - La Brêche de Charance (1648m)
  5. 4 : km 4.75 - alt. 1,830 m - Pic de Charance
  6. S/E : km 9.5 - alt. 1,054 m - Parking at the Domaine de Charance

Notes

Standard equipment for mountain hiking.

Worth a visit

Located 4 km from the town centre, the Domaine de Charance is an exceptional natural site that welcomes walkers, sports enthusiasts and families.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 31 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
zouzou 69
zouzou 69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well-marked trail. The passage under the breach is quite difficult and not suitable for everyone. After the breach, the climb up the steep slope to the peak is easier.
Fantastic view.
We took a different route down, passing by the egg lock, but the trail is 2 km longer and worse than the climb.
We should have stuck to the guidebook
Very happy with our day

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User 7122889

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful route very close to Gap. Can be done on foot or by bus from Gap.

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abruti
abruti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent classic in the Gap region, with unbeatable views from the summit. The path is easy going at first, becoming more physically demanding below the Charance breach, but it is not dangerous at all.
If there is snow on the normal path, it is better to take the path just below the ridge. It is a little steep, but well marked and safe!
We were treated to a spectacular view, with a chamois that was quite surprised by our presence!

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NinaBlnd
NinaBlnd
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with superb views. Doable despite the snow, but be careful when crossing the Charance breach, as you arrive on a wind-exposed slope with a thick layer of ice and no way to grip. Bring snow crampons and, if possible, an ice axe.
Be careful not to do this with children in winter, as it is too dangerous.

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Vanaquef
Vanaquef

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk to support my running friends during the Gapen'cîmes race at La Brèche.

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Famass67
Famass67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful outing starting from Charance Castle Park. I followed the route indicated by the yellow arrows on site, which is more or less identical to the route shown on the app map!
A beautiful hike through the forest, opening up onto the ridges and the Pic de Charance.

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QueenMama
QueenMama

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike starting in the woods, perfect for warm days.
To avoid just doing a round trip, you can climb up via the Col de Guizière before rejoining the path to the Pic de Charance.
If you still have some energy left, you can extend the hike by 25 minutes to the Pic de Cuchon (1,903 metres above sea level).
The view of Gap is magnificent, the trail is easy to follow and the climb is not too difficult for those who are used to walking.

Don't forget your walking sticks, they'll help you on the way down

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lachoupette
lachoupette

This hike is ideal in hot weather, as it is very wooded.
At the summit, there is a magnificent 360° view.
The Charance estate is a lovely place for a picnic.
At the end of the hike, you will find a small, very pleasant brasserie where you can quench your thirst.

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Abdsamad
Abdsamad

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route includes a few shortcuts compared to the pink route, which in my opinion don't really save any time as the shortcut is more difficult

Perhaps it goes without saying, but walking sticks are essential for me

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Alexianeeee
Alexianeeee

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike! It's definitely not easy for beginners, but the view from the peak is well worth the effort! The route isn't always easy to follow 100%, we made a few small detours and took a few shortcuts, but overall it was pretty well described! However, you should allow an extra hour if you're not very good walkers 😅

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Thyr
Thyr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, gradual climb with breathtaking views.
To avoid taking the same route back, we descended via the Oeuf lock and Charence Castle with its magnificent garden.
Thank you for sharing.

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Maraisse
Maraisse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2022
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 with autumn colours. 800m elevation gain, but the trail climbs gently, and we even extended it a little by taking the canal. In short, a beautiful outing to repeat in spring

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bibilavoudonc
bibilavoudonc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

VERY BEAUTIFUL HIKE

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ffrantz
ffrantz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty hike that starts in the woods and is perfect for summer. Much of the beginning is very busy with walkers and sports enthusiasts of all kinds. But as soon as it starts to climb, there aren't many people around. The pass is accessible, and the view from the top of the peak is breathtaking.
We are good walkers and did it in 3½ hours for 12 km because we took a wrong turn at one point and followed the signposts, which were a bit confusing .
Thank you for suggesting this very nice hike.

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vermfamillie
vermfamillie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The Pic de Charance is a beautiful hike. It offers exceptional views from the summit over the town of Gap, the Pic de Bure and the surrounding mountains. The first part of the hike is in the shade of the forest, ideal for walking in hot weather. The Visorando route is 100% reliable. However, we do not recommend doing this hike on Sundays as it gets very crowded!

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Other walks in the area

Walking The waters of Charance

Visorando member
Les eaux de Charance
↔11.46 km ↗+171 m ↘-171 m ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gap (Hautes-Alpes)
Most of the walk is along the Canal du Drac, which allows you to discover many of the structures designed to channel and distribute water to the surrounding farms, and also offers sections with panoramic views.

Walking The Odyssey Tour via the Brèche de Charance and the Col de Guizière

Visorando member
Le Tour de l'Odyssée par la Brèche de Charance et le Col de Guizière
↔6.29 km ↗+577 m ↘-577 m ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gap (Hautes-Alpes)
Climb up to the Brèche de Charance to enjoy the panoramic view from the ridge to the Col de Guizière, then descend through the forest. An ideal route for the summer months, just above the town of Gap.

Walking The Charance Gap and the Col de la Côte Gelée loop

Visorando member
↔10.74 km ↗+851 m ↘-849 m ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gap (Hautes-Alpes)
Climb up to the breach to enjoy the view from the ridges of the Charance mountain (including the Col and Tête de Guizière), before descending via the Col de la Côte Gelée. Although most of the climb is through forest, the ridges and descent are more exposed to the sun.

Walking The Buzon Viaduct

Tourist office
Le Viaduc du Buzon
↔6.61 km ↗+254 m ↘-253 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Gap (Hautes-Alpes)
This rural and exotic circuit, on the outskirts of the town, takes you to the Buzon Viaduct. A short and easy walk that can be done with young children.

Walking The Spigots circular from La Rivière

Visorando member
Les Tournillons en boucle depuis la Rivière
↔3.44 km ↗+177 m ↘-168 m ◔1h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rabou (Hautes-Alpes)
A fairly wild trail that generally follows the bank of the torrent, offering a beautiful natural atmosphere and views of small waterfalls. The outward route is accessible to families with children, mostly in the shade with the coolness of the torrent.

Walking The Bans trail starting from Rabou

Visorando member
Le sentier des Bans au départ de Rabou
↔17.36 km ↗+719 m ↘-717 m ◔7h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rabou (Hautes-Alpes)
Very beautiful hike on the Bans trail to the old village of Chaudun

Walking Pic Melette from Rabou

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le Pic Melette au départ de Rabou
↔10.38 km ↗+918 m ↘-917 m ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rabou (Hautes-Alpes)
From the Rabou car park, 15 km from Gap, this hike is partly off-trail and offers exceptional views of the surrounding peaks.

Walking Around Petit Buëch via the Sentier des Bans trail

Visorando member
Autour du Petit Buëch par le Sentier des Bans
↔11.02 km ↗+659 m ↘-659 m ◔5h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rabou (Hautes-Alpes)
After taking the famous Sentier des Bans balcony path, we will cross the Petit Buech to return via a small balcony path on the other side before reaching Rabou via a small Roman bridge. There are a few tricky sections on the balconies, especially on the way back. This is where the difficulty lies. Not suitable for those who are afraid of heights.

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