Summit of the Grand Vallon

A hike to a summit situated on the border between Queyras and Briançonnais, offering a stunning panoramic view of the Italian Piedmont, the Queyras, the Ubaye, as well as the Cerces and the Vanoise.

Details

276412
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,684 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,684 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,383 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,699 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Head towards the Col d’Izoard and Cervières via the D902. In Cervières, just after the entrance chicane, head up towards the higher part of the village by taking the first left at the junction, to join the D89T at the Église Saint-Michel; this road will take you to Les Fonts de Cervières, the end point and car park.

(S/E) From the car park, walk past the refuge and skirt the village of Les Fonts, then cross the meadow to the south and the Pierre Rouge stream.

(1) At the signpost, turn right and head south ontothe GR®58(red and white markings) towards the Col de Péas. The path climbs diagonally and follows the course of the Cerveyrette stream.

(2) Turn left at the second junction, heading towards the Col de Péas (still following the red and white markings). After crossing the pastures, the path climbs steeply in a series of switchbacks. It then emerges into the mountain pastures, which it crosses until reaching the Col de Péas, marked by a large cairn.

(3) From the pass, head off-trail to the left, towards the east, following the ridge line and the few cairns. You’ll soon reach a secondary summit from which you can see the bare summit. To get there, descend a few metres before climbing up the slope through the ‘lauzes’ along a well-marked path dotted with numerous cairns, which leads to the Sommet du Grand Vallon.

(4) Return in the opposite direction via the same route to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,699 ft - Car park - Refuge des Fonts de Cervières
  2. 1 : mi 0.18 - alt. 6,729 ft - Trail junction. Follow the - Cerveyrette (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 7,185 ft - Second junction
  4. 3 : mi 2.38 - alt. 8,629 ft - Col de Péas (2629m)
  5. 4 : mi 3.03 - alt. 9,383 ft - Summit of the Grand Vallon
  6. S/E : mi 6.06 - alt. 6,699 ft - Car park

Notes

I’ve made a video showing the route and the atmosphere of the walk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVRbR_Ms...

What can I say about this route?

It’s a route that’s mostly on track, with a short, fairly easy off-track section on the ridge from the pass.
I’d rate the difficulty as upper-medium because of this section.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
jerome83
jerome83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike through the mountain pastures. There’s a slightly trickier stretch over scree, but nothing you can’t get through. The climb up to the Col du Péas is really lovely. The summit of the Grand Vallon is the icing on the cake. There isn’t much of a path, but you just need to head for the first peak to catch sight of the ultimate destination. The final 80 metres are a bit more technical over the ‘slate’. The view over the Queras is sublime. A very, very beautiful hike.

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VirginieL
VirginieL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The Fonts de Cervières are as delightful as ever to explore. A quiet walk that combines alpine pastures with rockier climbs, leading up to the Col de Peas.

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Walker39380
Walker39380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that took us through some stunning scenery.
A very pleasant start to the trail along the Cerveyrette; after the crossroads, we came across some marmots that weren’t too ‘shy’ (until we reached the ‘safety distance’ )
We then climbed a stony path that looked tricky but turned out to be quite easy (a good cardio workout) – good walking boots and walking poles are recommended, if not essential –
Magnificent views at the summit and a trouble-free descent; the marmots we’d spotted on the way up were waiting for us.
Well worth doing for the view and the peace and quiet

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.