Pic de Charance - Le Cuchon - Montagne de Charance via the ridges

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A splendid hike starting from Domaine de Charance, with an ascent of the eponymous peak, then Cuchon, followed by a route along the ridge of Montagne de Charance.
A hike with exceptional views of Ceüze, Pic de Bure, the village of Rabou to the north, Gap and Serre Ponçon to the south, the mountains around Dignes with Cheval Blanc, Écrins to the east, and the Ubaye mountains to the south.
A physically demanding hike, but without any real technical sections.

Details

n°20230632
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 893 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 890 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,898 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,056 m
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Photos

The beautiful cairn
Le Cuchon and Pic de Charance
Le Cuchon
Pic de Charance

Description of the walk

From Gap Hospital, take the D994 (westbound) and turn right at thesecond roundabout towards the upper part of the town. Follow Avenue de Charance to the Domaine de Charance car park, the starting point for the hike.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the field to reach the path towards Pic de Charance and La Brèche.

(1) Turn right onto the path that climbs steeply to join another path.

(2) Turn right and you will come to a crossroads.

(3) Cross the footbridge and continue along the path which climbs and turns sharply to the left. Pass a first crossroads. Continue straight ahead, ignoring a path which branches off to the left, then turn right to reach another crossroads.

(4) Turn right and continue to a viewpoint offering a splendid panorama of Gap and the surrounding mountains.

(5) Continue along a large bend to the left. Pass the path that branches off to the right, then the one to the left, to reach another junction with signposts.

(6) Take the hairpin bend to the left towards Pic de Charance and La Brèche. Reach La Brèche, a short technical passage. Take a moment to enjoy the view.

(7) Take the path that climbs to the left towards Pic de Charance for just under 1 km. You will reach one of the highest points of this route.

(8) After descending from the peak, the trail climbs again to reach the highest point of this hike, Le Cuchon, at an altitude of 1,903 metres. Continue along the trail, which gradually descends along the ridge of Montagne de Charance to reach a magnificent cairn.

(9) On a small platform before the cairn, turn right onto a path that descends rapidly. Pass two consecutive paths on your right and continue towards the departmental road until you reach a crossroads.

(10) Turn left onto a beautiful path and join the Canal du Drac.

(11) Cross the bridge, following the yellow markings. Continue along this canal, now on your left, and stay on it.

(12) Pass the Écluse d'Œuf lock. Continue along the canal until you reach the footbridge you crossed on the way there.

(3) Take the path on the right.

(2) Descend to the left.

(1) Turn left and head for the Domaine de Charance car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,056 m - Domaine de Charance car park
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 1,074 m - Turn right onto the path that climbs upwards.
  3. 2 : km 0.4 - alt. 1,126 m - Turn right until you reach a crossroads.
  4. 3 : km 0.61 - alt. 1,140 m - Footbridge, junction of the circular loop
  5. 4 : km 1.66 - alt. 1,242 m - Crossroads, on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.13 - alt. 1,321 m - Junction, on the left
  7. 6 : km 2.83 - alt. 1,450 m - Crossroads, signs, left - La Brêche de Charance (1648m)
  8. 7 : km 3.68 - alt. 1,650 m - La Brèche, on the left
  9. 8 : km 4.27 - alt. 1,830 m - Pic de Charance
  10. 9 : km 5.96 - alt. 1,715 m - Small platform on the right. Passage close to the - Rousine (rivière)
  11. 10 : km 7.93 - alt. 1,171 m - Crossroads, on the left
  12. 11 : km 9.5 - alt. 1,140 m - Canal du Drac or - Canal de Gap
  13. 12 : km 11.09 - alt. 1,138 m - Œuf lock
  14. S/E : km 13 - alt. 1,056 m - Domaine de Charance car park

Notes

This hike does not involve any technical difficulties, but requires a good level of fitness. There are no water sources. Take care on the ridges on windy days.
Don't forget your binoculars to admire the panoramic views during the ascents of Pic de Charance and Cuchon.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
PMAX
PMAX

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty circular starting from the car park. With a nice climb up to Pic de Charance, then a superb section along the ridges up to Cuchon and then downhill. Really very pleasant with spectacular views and mountains as far as the eye can see, not to mention the view of Gap in particular. After Le Cuchon, we came across a flock of 425 sheep and their Patous. The descent is sometimes technical and the return on flat ground is perhaps a tad long. But honestly, it's a beautiful hike. No regrets.

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Pierredb
Pierredb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In August, just above Gap, don't expect to find solitude. But it's also an opportunity to meet some nice people. And to celebrate the return to the Charence open-air café with a cold beer. Otherwise, the climb is just steady under the breach and then up to the peak in the sun. Beautiful 360-degree view. This season, the meadow below the summit is covered with flowers. Please don't pick ANYTHING. Think about how they'll wilt before you get home, how you'll deprive others of the pleasure of seeing them, how they won't grow back next year, how there aren't that many if everyone does the same as you, and how if a guard sees you doing it with binoculars, your holiday budget will skyrocket! In short, leave nature alone and just enjoy the beauty it offers us.
Cexi says the descent is very tiring, long, very long, and the return along the canal is a test of perseverance. Same as previous review, stop by the castle (and the guinguette) before returning to the car park 😁🍺
Be sure to leave early in the summer, otherwise it will be too hot. Enjoy your walk.

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PHILIPPONNEAU
PHILIPPONNEAU

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A route with magnificent panoramic views of the Southern Alps. I can confirm that the descent at the western end of the ridge is very steep and that caution is required when the ground is muddy and slippery. Walking poles are essential. For the return journey, I recommend a very pleasant alternative route, which involves descending to Charance Castle and then walking along the lake to return to the car park.

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Kristie
Kristie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Beautiful hike with well-marked trails.
Trails passable without snow at the beginning of May.
Description accurate. Note that between 5 and 6, halfway along, there is a junction with signs where you need to turn right.
Between 9 and 10, the descent is very steep and difficult. Walking sticks are necessary.
After point 12, Ecluse d'Œuf, I returned to the car park via the garden, lake and Charance castle.

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john31200
john31200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this proposal to explore the Pic and the ridges in their entirety. The climb up to the Pic is sheltered from the sun and very pleasant; the panoramic views are superb and the view of the surroundings of Gap is exceptional. After Le Cuchon to Le Drac (8-10), the trail is a long, stony descent: good shoes and walking sticks are very (very) useful. No major difficulties for experienced hikers. At the Oeuf lock, I left the trail for a signposted path to the right towards the castle, the orchard and the alpine garden, which allows you to explore the Charance estate (numerous information panels). This avoids the return trip via the path to the car park, which is very steep and slippery on the way down.

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