The abandoned village of Chaudun

Discover the village of Chaudun and its history. Walking along the patrol path, you realise how difficult it must have been for the inhabitants to survive there at the time, in a village isolated from everything else in a hostile environment, especially in winter.

Details

n°26840055

Creation:
15 Sep 2022

Last update:
18 Nov 2023

Last review:
09 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 13.29 km
Average duration: 5h 35
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 631 m
Descent: - 623 m
Highest point: 1,769 m
Lowest point: 1,312 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Dévoluy, Dauphiné
District: Gap (05000)
Start/End: N 44.622399° / E 6.048021°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3337OT, 3337OTR, 3437OT, 3437OTR
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Description of the walk

To get to Col de Gleize from Gap, take the Route Napoléon N85 and turn left after the hamlet of Chauvet. At the golf course, follow the small winding road, signposted "Col de Gleize" on a wooden sign.
Park in the car park at the pass.

(S/E) From the car park, continue straight ahead westwards along the forest road.

(1) After about 700 m, at a bend, leave the forest road and take a path that cuts across the bend and continue to the intersection on the right, marked by a sign for "Sentier de Ronde". This route offers spectacular views but is unsecured and dangerous, as any fall could be fatal.

(2) Continue the gradual climb up this patrol path. You will arrive at large pastures after crossing streams at Ravin de la Faucille.

(3) Further on, cross several small streams that feed the sources of the Buech and continue along the trail until you reach the intersection on the left marked by a wooden sign saying "Chaudun".

(4) Then follow the path to the south-west marked with Green Circles (trekking route).

(5) Cross the grassy meadow, full of marmot holes, and the cow pasture. Green Circles mark the way throughout.

(6) The trail then crosses the Petit Buech again to rejoin the yellow-marked^PR® trail and continues its descent (sometimes steep) through the forest towards the west. Note a waterfall and cross the Petit Buëch again to pass well below it and climb a small slope via steps, this time on a well-secured trail. Descend to the village of Chaudun, still following the yellow-marked^PR® trail.

(7) Visit the oratory via the steps on the left (information panels about the site, old church porch and old cemetery).

(8) To return, pass the forest house and cross the bridge to follow the forest road, which climbs in wide hairpin bends for 600 metres of elevation gain to the Col de Gleize.

(9) You must pass through the Col de Chabannotes at an altitude of 1,663 metres and continue along the track.

(2) Continue straight on to the Col du Milieu.

(10) Continue along the track.

(1) Keep following the track and you'll arrive safely at Col de Gleize (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,694 m - Col de Gleize car park - Col de Gleize
1 : km 0.72 - alt. 1,738 m - Common fork A/R
2 : km 1.41 - alt. 1,679 m - Common fork A/R
3 : km 4.59 - alt. 1,682 m - Ravin de la Faucille - Pic de l'Aiguille (2140m) - Devoluy
4 : km 5.29 - alt. 1,691 m - Intersection towards Chaudun (sign)
5 : km 5.64 - alt. 1,648 m - Follow the stream southwards.
6 : km 5.95 - alt. 1,606 m - Crossing of the Petit Buëch on the left bank
7 : km 7.49 - alt. 1,329 m - Chaudun. Oratory - Ruines de Chaudun
8 : km 7.65 - alt. 1,312 m - Leave the village towards the GR 93 intersection.
9 : km 11.05 - alt. 1,664 m - Col de Chabanottes (1663m)
10 : km 12.45 - alt. 1,735 m - Col du Milieu - Pic de Gleize
S/E : km 13.29 - alt. 1,694 m - Col de Gleize car park - Col de Gleize

Notes

Walking sticks and suitable footwear required. Patrol path from (2) unsecured = danger!

Worth a visit

At the oratory: information panels on life in Chaudun before the village was sold to the state. There are two very interesting books on the subject: "Le destin brisé d'un village français" (The Broken Destiny of a French Village) by Pierre Bussière and "Chaudun la montagne blessée" (Chaudun, the Wounded Mountain) by Luc Brönner.

View of the Dévoluy massif to the west, the Roc de l'Aigle, the pastures of Poligny in the distance to the north, and the Pic de l'Aiguille to the north-northeast of the Col de Chabannottes.

The^GR® 93 leads to the Chapelle Saint-Jacques and Rabou via the Sentier des Bancs.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Papounet JP

09 Sep 2025 at 10:55 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, this is a great route that I highly recommend (except for those prone to vertigo, who may feel uncomfortable!). It is very well marked in yellow (PR), except for the point where you have to leave the Chemin de Ronde (several green, yellow and red markings end up causing confusion. - a quick glance at the map and the terrain will allow you to reach the "bed" of the Petit Buech without difficulty!
A detour of a few dozen metres has been put in place, marked out and signposted to deal with a blockage (rockfall?) on the Chemin de Ronde.
At the beginning of September, the water points in Chaudun were cut off.
All generations enjoy this route and the wildlife that can be encountered there... but it is important to warn the "little legs" that all the elevation gain comes at the end of the hike, when fatigue may begin to set in!

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virgule

23 Aug 2024 at 09:55 7200 • Edited: 23 Aug 2024 at 09:55 7200

Video of the history of Chaudun

https://youtu.be/MuEMdd0ckIU

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Martinegouet

22 Aug 2024 at 20:17 7200 • Edited: 22 Aug 2024 at 20:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Today the weather was beautiful and the ground was dry, which was a bonus. As mentioned previously, the trail markings have been redone and, most importantly, the dangerous section has been rerouted, so there are no longer any difficulties on this hike. There are still a few sections where it is best not to be afraid of heights, but they are accessible to any hiker who is used to the mountains. It should be noted that we did the hike anti-clockwise because we weren't keen on the climb through the forest at the end of the walk. It was also very nice to visit Chaudun at the start of the walk.

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LOBAL

26 Nov 2023 at 11:50 3600

Thank you for your comment. It's great that the signage for this route has been redone. You always need to be careful between points 2 and 3 because heavy rain can cause landslides. I haven't been back since the route was added to Visorando, but I plan to return next spring to see the new signage. Thank you again.

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sabinefebvre

22 Nov 2023 at 20:21 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The markings have been completely restored...which makes it easier to progress.

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Calire57

14 Aug 2023 at 14:08 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is best to start with direct access to the village and finish with the beautiful walkway, as ending this lovely hike on the forest road is not very interesting. Be aware that the section between the end of the rampart walk and the village through the mountain pastures is not very well marked. I had to search for the path several times. This hike is highly recommended, with a possible detour via the Col de Gleize, as other hikers have done so. Discovering the abandoned village is moving, and I recommend reading the book about its history.

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User 12127095

06 Aug 2023 at 19:30 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In summer 2023, the walkway is extremely damaged over a very short section between points 2 and 3. It is impossible to pass safely. DO NOT attempt to cross. DANGER.