Saint-Michel-de-Chaillol walks

A short, easy circular loop around Chaillol, starting from Chaillol village, suitable for families. Passes over the Canal Malcros.

Hike along the remains of the Mal Cros Canal, starting from Chaillol 1600. This canal supplied water for irrigation in the area from a glacier above the Champoleon valley (Drac Blanc).

On this hike, nature is the artist, offering us geological formations carved into the sandstone, each one as astonishing as the next. Not to mention Pic Queyrel with its extensive panorama from the horizontal ridge line that connects the two high points. At the end of the hike, you can discover the remains of the Malcros Canal. A somewhat crazy project which, from 1881 to 1923, supplied water to the valleys from a... glacier.

This is a long hike to reach the Pic du Vieux Chaillol (3,163 m), a landmark peak in the southern Hautes-Alpes landscape. Please note that the elevation gain is only 1,530m and not 1,706m as stated on the information sheet.

A balcony walk offering magnificent views of the plain at the entrance to the Champsaur.

Most of the hike takes place on a balcony trail in a sort of cirque, before reaching the foot of Vieux Chaillol with a beautiful panorama. This hike also allows you to discover the remains of the Malcros Canal. A somewhat crazy project which, from 1881 to 1923, supplied water to the valleys from a... glacier! Despite the elevation gain, the hike involves fairly gentle and very regular ascents and descents.

This hike in the Champsaur is marked by curious geological formations in the sandstone. It is worth taking your time and looking up. The double arch is a little off the main route, so you have to go out of your way to find it, but it's well worth the detour.

In the heart of Champsaur, this hike is beautiful but also very exotic, as it climbs up the wooden roof tile torrent valley in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Spanish canyon.

A lovely hike to discover an ancient village in ruins, offering panoramic views of the Champsaur valley.

A pleasant circuit in Champsaur, allowing you to discover a small peak overlooking the Drac valley.

An ascent through mountain pastures and alpine meadows to the pass and then the summit of the Palastre, a renowned viewpoint over the Champsaur valley. The rest of the loop towards the pass between the Pic du Clot Lamiande and the Pointe Prouveyrat is not well marked, but the view of the Vallon du Tourrond is worth the detour. Note that the southern exposure of the slope is offset on the descent by streams and waterfalls that refresh this long route, which is best suited to experienced walkers.

This is a beautiful little loop on the north side below the Autane and Petite Autane, ideal for hot summer days when you want to stay cool. If you set off early, you can see chamois in the ravines and birds. The crossing trail does not always seem to be maintained during the summer, which makes it more difficult (the trail slopes on some steep sections) and it is now classified as difficult, requiring good experience of this type of trail.

A classic hike in Ancelle, starting near the village centre and climbing up the north side, through cool woodland. Can easily be done in reverse to enjoy the cool air on the way back.

A climb to the summit overlooking the village of Wooden Roof Tile and the ski resort of Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes. The circular offers beautiful panoramic views of Dévoluy, Champsaur and the Rouanne valley.

This summit is a classic in the village of wooden roof tile in Champsaur.

This summit overlooks the Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes ski resort. It is home to the arrival stations of the resort's ski lifts. However, the ascent is described here from Ancelle. This outing is done on snowshoes, following the summer trail marked in yellow. These markings are visible on trees in winter, but not on rocks.

At the gateway to the Massif des Écrins, near Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, this superb loop hike begins with a gentle ascent through a magnificent larch forest. Along the way, the lush green vegetation accompanies you to the foot of the Col du Cendrier, where the slope gradually levels out. The effort is rewarded by a wide panoramic view of the Massif des Écrins.The traverse of the Crêtes du Barry adds a welcome technical touch, giving the route an extra touch of character. The return, via the Pas and then the Col de l'Escalier, is on a pleasant, flowing path.A beautiful hike, where the spring flora comes into its own with every step.

A lovely hike in the hills above Ancelle offering views of the Dévoluy and the Petite and Grande Autane mountains. For walkers, this is a good warm-up walk at the start of the week to prepare for longer routes.

A gentle walk along a narrow path beside a torrent, then the view opens up onto snowfields. Once on the ridges, you can admire the Gap and Champsaur valleys dominated by beautiful peaks and, further away, the Écrins.

This is a walk where you'll find shelter right in the heart of mountain pastures and where you can enjoy a friendly meal ... in very pleasant surroundings.

Climb one of the Champsaur peaks from the Laye ski resort, enjoying the cool forest, rocky ravines and earthy slopes. The initial loop gives way to a round-trip climb. The final section is on a beautiful ridge with steep slopes on either side.

An iconic cliff and viewpoint in the Gap area, the Chapeau de Napoléon is easily accessible and offers breathtaking views of the Avance valley and the Gap basin.

An original way to reach the western shoulder of the Aiguille de Cédéra via a forgotten path on part of the ascent, then climb up the suspended mountain pasture to finish on the south-west ridge. The summit is optional for those who enjoy traversing scree slopes.

The hike is entirely along the ridge, below the Petite and Grande Autane. It offers beautiful views of the Col de Roinette, La Coupa and its pass, La Pointe de Fleurendon and, in the background, Le Piolit and Les Crêtes de Bonaparré.

A splendid hike with a difficult route that will take you to the Col de Chorges. Climb Piolit and enjoy its 360° panorama, then descend via the Col de la Pourrachiére. From Piolit (2,464 m), there are views to the south over Lake Serre-Ponçon and Mercantour, and to the north-east, north and north-west over the peaks of Champsaur, Dévoluy and Ecrins. Caution: do not attempt this route too early in the season, as there is still a lot of snow due to the exposure. See § practical information.

At the gateway to the Parc des Écrins, in the Champsaur Massif, this magnificent hike begins at Rouanne Haute. The path winds gracefully through a larch forest, crosses streams of fresh, crystal-clear water and leads us, below the Col de Chorges, to the brown-tinged mountain pastures, sometimes still dotted with majestic snowdrifts despite the approach of summer.At the top of the Piolit, a breathtaking 360° panorama opens up, revealing the surrounding massifs and the splendid Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Descending via the Col de la Pourrachière, we plunge into a green and refreshing world, the perfect way to round off this wonderful outdoor activity.

Long and difficult hike offered here as a circular route, first through mountain pastures then up steep slopes to the summit. It can also be done as a round trip, which is shorter but involves a tricky descent to the Col de Combeau. As a circular loop as described, the landscape and views are different and the slope is easier. It's up to you.

A challenging hike in the hills above Ancelle. A very pretty hike with an initial climb through the woods, then the vegetation thins out to reveal breathtaking views of Lake Serre-Ponçon, the Gapençais basin and even Mont Ventoux. 360° view from the summit.

A challenging loop that allows you to climb an easy and very popular summit in the most beautiful way and away from the crowds. The difficulty lies mainly in the return via the balcony, which has some aerial and exposed sections.

Visit to a village in ruins. Only two houses remain, the shepherd's house and the ONF's free lodge. Unfortunately, access to the village is not recommended in winter (see the description for more information). However, hiking in winter on the right bank of the Torrent du Méollion is very pleasant as it takes you through some beautiful landscapes.

This is a short, half-day hike without any major difficulties, which takes us back to the difficult past of the mountain dwellers of yesteryear who lived in the village of Faudon, now in ruins, overlooked by the medieval fort of Saint-Philippe.

Opposite the famous Tourond Valley, the charming Méollion Valley takes you along old mule tracks to a ruined mountain pasture and an old village abandoned at the beginning ofthe 20th century. A refuge for resistance fighters in 1943, the ruins of Méollion are a feast for the eyes!

Climb up to this small mountain lake through a beautiful valley in the Champoléon valley. Méollion is a place steeped in history, between the abandonment of the village at the beginning of the century (rural exodus), the Maquis, and its destruction by the Germans on 13 November 1943.The final climb to the lake is steep and seems endless, but the reward is well worth it!

Overlooking the Champsaur valley and the southern Valgaudemar, the Vieux Chaillol offers a fantastic rocky setting and a dazzling panorama of a large group of mountains: Dévoluy, Vercors and Écrins. The view even extends as far as Mont Ventoux and the Lure mountain. The ascent to the Col de Côte Longue is made from the east, starting from the Champoléon valley. This hike is reserved for experienced and trained mountain hikers.

An easy loop that follows both banks of a pretty torrent, with a possible stop at the Tourond refuge. With a bit of luck, you may be greeted by a few marmots. You can extend the walk to the Pisse waterfall

The Tour de Planure is a hike that starts at the bottom of the valley, following the Tourond torrent, and ends in a magnificent cirque where you can discover a pastoral environment in a high mountain atmosphere.

A beautiful circular loop around the Col Bayard oxygenation centre, very varied and without any significant elevation gain, offering 360-degree views and breathtaking vistas of the Champsaur.

A walk in the Notre-Dame de Bois-Vert forest, on the mountainside with a magnificent view of the Champsaur valley and its typical bocage landscape.The Notre-Dame de Bois-Vert sanctuary is a true haven of peace!

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in the area. It offers views of the Champsaur and Gapençais valleys.

The steep slope on the right bank of the Séveraissette valley is home to the trail crossing the Col de l'Ardouère, which winds boldly through the rugged terrain of a complex and grandiose landscape. Be careful! While the climb up the eastern slope is accessible, the descent down the western slope has some exposed, even vertiginous sections where the slightest slip could be fatal.

The final destination of this almost round-trip itinerary, the Col de Font Froide offers an exceptional view of the Écrins massif. In the distance: Barre des Écrins, Pic Coolidge, Ailefroide, Les Bans... And nearby: Pic de Colle Blanche, Brèche de l'Homme Étroit, Tête de Mal Cros, Pointe des Moutières, Pic de Parières, Aiguille de Morges. Far below: the Navette valley in Valgaudemar. A high mountain atmosphere is guaranteed on this pass, which is accessible via a footpath!

Family hike through the woods to the beautiful Peyron Roux forest cabin. When you arrive, you'll feel like you're standing in front of the seven dwarfs' house... the dark larch forest has a lot to do with it!

Starting from Molines-en-Champsaur, this circular route takes you to the Cabane de Londonnière via a mountain trail, then ends with a gentle descent along a forest path beside the Muande torrent.

Very long, wild and challenging alpine hike. The first part is on a trail up the Val Estrèche, where you may see chamois and ibex. The second part is wild and off-trail, climbing up to the Col de Val Estrèche and then crossing over to the Col des Lauzières. Descent via Cros de la Casse to the Lacs de Crupillouse, where you finally find a good winding trail that descends southwards under the Aiguille de Crupillouse, crossing streams and waterfalls.

A family walk in the forest in the middle of Champsaur, offering beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

In July, head for the Crupillouse lakes: small high-altitude lakes that are still frozen, alternating between earth and stone. The trail crosses three streams and snowfields and sometimes climbs in tight switchbacks from 1,400 to 2,600 metres. Watched over by chamois, the arrival at the lakes is a reward for the fairly long climb. The thawed sections were magnificent colours.

A pleasant walk in the Sapet National Forest, at the foot of Piolit (2,464 m), which marks the end of the Embrunais transport layers. The Piolit ridge offers superb views of the Embrunais, Lake Serre-Ponçon, the Gap valley, Dévoluy, Champsaur and the Écrins massif.

Climb up to the Brèche de Charance to enjoy the panoramic view from the ridge to the Col de Guizière, then descend through the forest. An ideal route for the summer months, just above the town of Gap.

Climb up to the breach to enjoy the view from the ridges of the Charance mountain (including the Col and Tête de Guizière), before descending via the Col de la Côte Gelée. Although most of the climb is through forest, the ridges and descent are more exposed to the sun.

This rural and exotic circuit, on the outskirts of the town, takes you to the Buzon Viaduct. A short and easy walk that can be done with young children.

This is a beautiful, easy hike offering stunning scenery for most of the route, ending with views over the Lac de Serre-Ponçon valley as far as Gap.

Starting from Charance, the climb up the breach and to the peak offers breathtaking views of the Gapençais basin, the Durance valley and the Pic de Bure.

This isa physicallydemanding hike that is not particularly technical. Not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. Set off early in summer to avoid the heat. This route is much less travelled than the "classic" GR®54.

This fairly easily accessible pass is located at the bottom of the Champoléon valley. You can make a circular loop by taking a little-used path that climbs parallel to the Prelles waterfall, passes by the small Lac de Prelles lake before reaching the Col du Cheval de Bois pass. Then descend via the marked trail that passes by the Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette.

Most of the walk is along the Canal du Drac, which allows you to discover many of the structures designed to channel and distribute water to the surrounding farms, and also offers sections with panoramic views.

Route on the Tour du Vieux Chaillol andGR®54trails. It takes you around the Puy de la Chaumette under the south face of the imposing Sirac.

A peaceful exploration of the upper Champoléon valley, on either side of the Drac de Champoléon or Drac Blanc torrent in the heart of the Champsaur Massif, to the Pré de la Chaumette refuge on the edge of the Écrins National Park. ⚠️ 15/09/2025: Left bank impassable due to a landslide. The route is a return trip 1-4-3 to the refuge on the GRP®. Please read the notices carefully.