The Col de l'Échelle tunnel

A very peaceful walk along the road and through the forest to reach this small tunnel before the long descent to Bardonneche.

Details

n°1811628

Creation:
21 Feb 2019

Last update:
31 May 2021

Last review:
24 Feb 2025

Activity: Snowshoeing
Distance: 6.19 mi
Duration according to the author: 4 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 820 ft
Descent: - 820 ft
Highest point: 5,889 ft
Lowest point: 5,194 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Cerces, Vallée de la Clarée, Dauphiné
City: Névache (05100)
Start/End: N 45.016822° / E 6.636566°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3535OT, 3535OTR
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Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the junction of the Névache D994G and Col de l'Échelle D1T roads.

(S/E) Take the latter. In winter, this road is shared by skiers, snowshoers and pedestrians. To avoid damaging it and allow everyone to enjoy the spot, take the line opposite the cross-country ski tracks.
Continue until you reach the junction with a track coming from Névache.

(1) Stay on the road, climb very slightly, pass the relay station and the telephone antennas. You will come out at the bend at the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Rencontre.

(2) Leave the road temporarily and take the snowshoe trail on the right. Take a detour through the woods to rejoin the road at the DCFI cistern. Stay on the road for a few metres.

(3) After the bend, turn right again into the woods and walk through the trees to return to the road at the hut on the left-hand side of the road.

(4) Return to the road and pass the customs officers' hut on the right-hand side of the road. At the bend before a small hill, you will reach a new crossroads.

(5) Leave the road again and follow the snowshoe trail. Make a very short climb before turning left to reach the metal mushroom of the Mauvais Pas blockhouse turret.

(6) Descend straight down through the snow to rejoin the road. Turn right to reach the tunnel entrance.

(7) Return via the Col de l'Échelle pass and stay on the road until you reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,194 ft - Car park at the crossroads. Near the - Clarée (rivière)
1 : mi 0.43 - alt. 5,276 ft - Track junction
2 : mi 1.1 - alt. 5,568 ft - Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Rencontre
3 : mi 1.42 - alt. 5,732 ft - Snowshoe trail in the forest
4 : mi 1.82 - alt. 5,751 ft - Road
5 : mi 2.65 - alt. 5,768 ft - Snowshoe trail to the blockhouse
6 : mi 2.95 - alt. 5,843 ft - Mauvais Pas blockhouse.
7 : mi 3.08 - alt. 5,768 ft - Tunnel
8 : mi 4.56 - alt. 5,755 ft - Col de l'Échelle
S/E : mi 6.19 - alt. 5,194 ft - Car park at the crossroads

Notes

In principle, the snowshoe shortcuts are marked, but if not, it is advisable to make them as it is a very enjoyable exercise.

Worth a visit

(2) Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Rencontre.
(6) Mauvais Pas blockhouse.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

pouchpen

24 Feb 2025 at 19:05 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The route is now shared with cross-country skiing, far too many people!

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Nicole mv83

12 Apr 2021 at 11:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very popular with cross-country skiers.
A place steeped in contemporary history. It's nice to take a look at Italy while we wait for health measures to allow us to set foot there.

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mapigap

04 Jan 2021 at 17:56 3600 • Edited: 04 Jan 2021 at 18:01 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike that is well suited for a half day. Even in the conditions we experienced (very overcast weather then snow, poor visibility), the route is intuitive enough that you don't feel lost. The route is relatively safe from avalanches as you stay close to the road. The Notre Dame de Bon Rencontre chapel is worth a look. We were lucky enough to spot a chamois under the rocks of La Sueur. A multi-activity route (dog sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, etc.) without any major difficulties and therefore quite popular.

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bernard951

27 Jan 2020 at 09:31 3600 • Edited: 27 Jan 2020 at 09:35 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb snowshoe hike! The shelter for immigrants is clean and equipped with food and clothing. Well done to the people of the valley.

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arletty

22 Jan 2020 at 20:50 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and easy hike in fine weather. We thought about the immigrants who passed through these splendid landscapes in very difficult conditions.

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Florins

25 Mar 2019 at 08:49 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little snowshoe hike. We did it in exceptional weather with decent snow cover for the season. We used to do this hike in summer, but it's definitely worth doing in winter too.
Thank you.

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