Tour du Cuchon d'Ancelle

In the village of Wooden Roof Tile, head south towards the Col de Moissière and park in the car park next to the Pont des Naïs bridge, along the Rouanne river (crossroads between the snow front of the downhill ski resort and the Taillas cross-country ski centre).

(S/E) Follow the wide track eastwards to the first bend. Take the small path that runs along the left bank of the Rouanne and follow the signs for the Tour du Cuchon. This path follows the tracks used as cross-country ski trails in winter. Reach the bridge.

(1) Do not cross it, but continue right on the path. Stay on the left bank of the Rouanne. Reach a new bridge.

(2) Take the path on the right, then left at the next junction to continue up the Torrent d'Ancelle on the left bank until you reach a junction.

(3) Continue along the path to the left to reach the bridge crossing the Torrent d'Ancelle. The trail then winds its way up until it joins the path between a farm and the track leading to the hamlets of Rouanne.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the right. When you reach the Rouanne path, continue along the track on the right towards Rouanne Haute, signposted l'Oratoire.
At the Combe d'Autane, continue along the track (passing in front of the earth quarry) until you reach the crossroads with the path leading to Le Cuchon.

(5) Leave the track at the no entry sign. Continue left along the stony path. Here, begin a series of hairpin bends, following the yellow PR® markings. You will come to a crossroads with a cairn and a sign.

(6) Turn right onto the path. Overlook a track, then follow a few hairpin bends to reach the Ranc crossroads, marked by a beautiful cairn.

(7) Take the track on the left. Climb up the hillside. Cross the Ruisseau de la Combe d'Autane stream. Continue along the track on the right and follow a few hairpin bends to reach a new crossroads.

(8) Leave the track and take the path on the left, climbing up the hillside in a very rocky area. Pass under some remarkable cliffs before arriving at the mountain pasture just below the summit. Be careful! The area is prone to rockfalls, which can block the path. In general, it is safe to pass, but you must be vigilant.

Cross the edge of the woods to reach the Sommet du Cuchon, the arrival point of the Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes ski resort chairlift.

(9) Cross over to the other side and descend the Les Champets ski slope via a marked trail that joins a wide track and the^GR®®50.

(10) Turn left and follow the red and white markings to reach the lower station of the Tranchit ski lift.

(11) Keep left in the woods and on the GR®^®. Pass under the Cuchon chairlift. Continue downhill to the edge of the woods.

(12) Leave the^GR®® here and take the path on the left, passing Eyssillon, the telecommunications antenna and then Coste Averseng, ending up at the Combe des Prêtres crossroads.

(13) Take the dirt track on the right and, at a place called Les Cousteilles, you will reach a wide track.

(14) Take the dirt track to the right towards the village (west) until you reach the Saint-Léger road (D13).

(15) Take the D13 on the left (south-east), pass the entrance to the Auches campsite and continue to the start of the Rouanne valley road.

(16) Continue on the D13, which veers to the right and then crosses the wooden roof tile torrent to return to the Pont des Naïs car park (S/E).

Be careful!A landslide in autumn 2025 cut off the trail between points (8) and (9): it is passable but caution is advised.

All amenities are available in the village of wooden roof tile.

The Auches campsite is ideal for family or sporting holidays, at the gateway to the Écrins National Park. In addition to the guided walks it offers on a regular basis, it is very well located for mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts as there are many marked trails starting from the campsite.

(9) Orientation table at the summit of Le Cuchon.

Shorter option: park on the Route Forestière de la Rouanne at (5) and climb to the summit and back. Turn back once you reach the top of Le Cuchon and descend via the same route to the road (500 m elevation gain, total time 4 hours).