Country:
District:
Park in the Le Crépon car park, just below the Chalet-Hôtel du Gioberney.
(S/E) Leave the car park and join the D480t to find the hiking signs on your left.
There are no markings, but there are signposts at the crossroads
Take the path on the left that descends towards the Refuge de Vallonpierre.
Cross the stream via the footbridge and climb back up to a crossroads. Leave the path on the left that leads to the Refuge du Gioberney and continue straight ahead towards the Refuge de Vallonpierre via the Sentier du Ministre.
The trail climbs gently up the mountainside and joins a crossroads higher up.
(1) Continue straight ahead, keeping towards the Refuge de Vallonpierre. 200m further on, cross a footbridge and continue south until the next crossroads.
(2) Turn right onto the path that descends towards the stream marked Col de Vallonpierre (this time!)
Cross some large boulders and continue across the meadow. At the next junction, leave the path on the right and continue left towards the Refuge de Vallonpierre. Further on, cross another footbridge. The long winding climb will then begin.
Almost at the top, another footbridge and the last switchbacks lead to a shepherd's hut. The last few metres are a gentle slope down to a large meadow and a signpost.
(3) Make a round trip to the right to the Vallonpierre Refuge and its small lake.
(4) Admire the landscape from this refuge nestled at the foot of a red granite peak with the Sirac opposite.
From the refuge, return to the sign you saw on arrival.
(3) Continue right towards the Refuge de Chabournéou, heading towards a small gully.
Cairns will help you find your way, which is not always easy among the rocks.
The descent begins with large boulders, followed by a short passage where you will need to use your hands.
Continue along the path, which passes a ledge that is aerial at times but never very exposed.
N.B.: Throughout this section, you must be careful and watch where you put your feet.
At one point, the path turns right to cross a rock; a few red paint marks show the way.
The trail resumes on the mountainside below the Sirac. Cross a stream fed by a snowfield above, then another. Two small handholds will help you down the short descent to continue over the rocks.
Cross four streams in succession, the last of which is overlooked by a majestic waterfall, then a fifth a little further on.
Continue the descent without difficulty to the Refuge de Chabournéou.
(5) Turn left onto the path that winds down to the Refuge du Gioberney.
After crossing the stream, the descent becomes easier and the trail returns to the same junction as on the way up.
(2) Continue straight ahead on the same path as on the way up to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Very difficult 
Easy 
