The summit of the Arche

Starting from the hamlet of Moissière, a beautiful hike that begins in the forest before ending on the ridges and the summit, offering an unforgettable panorama of Lake Serre Ponçon, Gap and the Champsaur Valley.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 748 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 749 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,241 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,508 m

Description of the walk

Park at the junction with the dirt track (limited spaces). There is a car park further on at Pré Bouria.

(S/E) Walk up to the hamlet of Moissière.

(1) Turn left towards the houses, then left again. Before the fountain on the right, take a dirt track, then leave it to take the small path that follows the stream up through the forest. You’ll reach a fork.

(2) Turn right onto a path that climbs steeply before reaching a flat section.
Climb this path, which becomes very steep. Continue along a lovely flat section with a beautiful view before continuing the climb towards the pass (altitude 2194m). This final section may be tricky for those prone to vertigo.

(3) Magnificent view over the Durance Valley, Lake Serre-Ponçon and its sailing boats. Just a little more effort: head right to reach the summit of L’Arche. The path is poorly marked but runs along the edge of the ridge.

(4) A sublime view: the Ancelle Plateau, the Drac Valley unfolding before us, Gap and its surroundings, the Burre Plateau. All that remains is to head back down the same way to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,509 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 1,530 m - Turn left
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 1,705 m - Path leading uphill to the right
  4. 3 : km 3.54 - alt. 2,191 m - Col de l'Arche (2194m)
  5. 4 : km 3.74 - alt. 2,241 m - Summit of - L'Arche (2256m)
  6. S/E : km 7.49 - alt. 1,509 m - Car park

Notes

There is no water along the route; avoid rainy days and the days following rain as the path becomes slippery. Steep ascents and descents, with a slightly exposed section.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
pfla
pfla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As mentioned, this hike is challenging due to the steep climb over a short distance. The view at the end of the hike is magnificent and makes the climb well worth it. We found the descent in the opposite direction easier than the climb would suggest!
A lovely hike, but with a moderate enjoyment-to-difficulty ratio.

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely view, despite the cloudy weather.

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Achca
Achca

Hello,
The elevation gain was provided by the Visiorando software, which must be based on the IGN map.
Using the IGN map, if we take a rough estimate:
the starting point on the map: 1529
the finish point on the map: 2256
the difference is indeed: 727 m
I say ‘roughly’ because the Visiorando software adds up all the small descents and ascents on hilly walks and we could have ended up with a higher cumulative elevation gain
So either your barometric watch has a problem, or the weather has deteriorated considerably
Best regards
Achca

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05GPS
05GPS

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On the map, the elevation gain is the difference between the highest and lowest points; with my GPS watch set at the start in the hamlet, I recorded a gain of 810 m and stopped for a snack below the pass.
So, that needs checking. From the Col de l’Arche to the summit of the Aiguille, there is another 183 m.

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Pascale Boedts
Pascale Boedts

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The 360° view from the summit of the Arche is stunning. A must-do. As you mentioned, this hike is not recommended for those prone to vertigo. You need to be sure-footed, especially to reach the pass.

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