A beautiful walk to a secret valley with a lush green meadow surrounded by rocky mountain peaks.
Calculated time: 11h05[?] 
Distance : 24.87km
Vertical gain : 1396m
Vertical drop : 1396m
Highest point : 2279m
Lowest point : 1586m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas : Alps, Mercantour 
Location : Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage
(06660)
Starting point : N 44.278851° / E 6.853517° (D/A) Take the dirt track out of St-Dalmas-le-Selvage which follows the Torrent de Gialorgues south west. The track is quite bumpy and rough so you might prefer to park in the village. Otherwise find a safe place to park along the track. Follow the track which skirts alongside the river. The path heads uphill quite steeply in some sections.
(1) Continue until you reach a parking area. You then take a path on your right which winds up through beautiful woodland and meadows. The path joins a rocky stream and eventually the valley opens up into a wide meadow.
(2) Follow the path through the meadow. There are several large cairns to show you the way. The path rises gently until you reach a plateau where the Refuge de Gialorgues is situated.
(3) Return via the same route.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1586m - St-Dalmas-le-Selvage
1 : km 3.59 - alt. 1964m - Parking area
2 : km 5.15 - alt. 2165m - Meadow
3 : km 6.21 - alt. 2278m - Refuge de Gialorgues
D/A : km 24.87 - alt. 1586m - St-Dalmas-le-Selvage
Sturdy walking boots and hiking poles will be most useful. Take plenty of water - the road up is long and dusty and hot. This walk is within the Mercantour National Park - pay attention to the signs on what you can and cannot do.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Look out for wildlife all along the walk - butterflies and birds abound. Don't forget to look up and see the Fort Carre - an amazing rocky outcrop which looks like a huge rectangular fort.
8.83km
+735m
-741m
4h35
Average
Starting point in Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage - 06 - Alpes-Maritimes A short drive from St Dalmas le Selvage you will find this beautiful walk through meadows, woodland and up to rocky peaks.
16.74km
+1272m
-1267m
8h25
Difficult
Starting point in Sambuco - Province de Cuneo Circular hike from the beautiful village of Sambuco in the Valle Stura, Provence of Cuneo. The high point is Monte Bersaio directly above the village. The majority of the walk is through high alpine meadows. If done in late June or early July there will be a profusion of wildflowers and the final meadows, just below the summit of Monte Bersaio, are full of Edelweiss.
13.65km
+1189m
-1136m
7h20
Very difficult
Starting point in Acceglio - Province de Cuneo Last stage of this trek around Chambeyron mountain range, taking you back to France through Col de Sautron. You'll find yourself in superb wildlife setting when arriving at the pass.
19.83km
+1509m
-1510m
10h00
Very difficult
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence A loop around Brec de Chambeyron, leaving from the hamlet of Fouillouse.
57.49km
+4162m
-4349m
5 days
Difficult
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Reaching over 3000 metres in altitude, Aiguilles de Chambeyron and Brec de Chambeyron form an impressive mountain range halfway between Queyras and the Moncantour. This hike offers a trek with no techincal difficulty, with passes over 2700 m in altitude and a summit of over 3000 m. Set in an outstanding landscape and for the most part within a high mountain setting.
6.21km
+757m
-13m
3h55
Average
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence First stage around the Chambeyron Mountain Range which, after a steady climb, takes you to the shelter with the same name. You'll end up in a breath-taking setting, at the foot of Brec de Chambeyron.
17.13km
+808m
-1517m
7h10
Very difficult
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence The most demanding stage of the hike during which you'll go through at least 4 passes at over 2700 metres in altitude. Beautiful scenery all along the way! The "Lacs Marinet" offer the opportunity for refreshments before the final descent.
5.56km
+672m
-672m
3h30
Difficult
Starting point in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence A climb to the highest point of this hike around the Chambeyron mountain range, at over 3000 metres in altitude. A summit offering an unobstructed view over Queyras and the neighbouring mountain ranges. A downhill route allowing a well-deserved rest by a lake.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
