Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range (5) Refuge Campo Base - Larche

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.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek around Chambeyron Mountain Range

Technical sheet

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Caution, this route is Very difficult

This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.

  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.65 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,170 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,122 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,687 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,584 m

Description of the walk

Start from refuge Campo Base. The route follows "Tour du Chambeyron" GRP.

(S) Leave the shelter heading north, and after a few douzen metres, Take a sharp turn right and follow the trail due south-east. You'll reach another trail, head right towards Chiappera Village. Go past the village located on the left-hand side.

(1) After passing the cemetery, at a turn in the road, head right onto a path heading into a wood. Go right and continue due south reaching a large path.

(2) Take the path on the right. Keep going, on the windy path in an overall western direction.

(3) At high point 2055, you'll reach a ledge. Ignore the trailhead to the left and keep heading west. After more twists and turns you'll reach another ledge. Go past the relics of an old military base. Keep heading due west and after the last few bends you'll reach Col de Sautron.

(4) Head south-west down a steep slope. At a fork, go left and bypass a rock slide zone (head south then south-west). Go past the remains of a shelter and head downhill due south. Turn off to the right and head down a windy slope reaching a stream (Riou de Rouchouse on the map).

(5) Don't cross the stream, walk along the right bank to the west.

(6) At the bottom of a rock slide zone, head off to the left due south-west (the stream heads off to the south).

(7) At the junction with the GR5, head south. Then turn left (east), head down some steep bends and head off to the right reaching Riou de Rouchouse.

(8) Take the path along the torrent, due south-west and reach Larche. When you arrive at the main road (D900), the stage gîte is on the other side on the left.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,638 m
  2. 1 : km 1.53 - alt. 1,601 m - Junction after the cemetery
  3. 2 : km 2.38 - alt. 1,667 m - Large path
  4. 3 : km 4.9 - alt. 2,041 m - High point 2055
  5. 4 : km 8.09 - alt. 2,678 m - Col de Sautron
  6. 5 : km 10.76 - alt. 2,110 m - Riou de Rouchouse
  7. 6 : km 11.58 - alt. 2,010 m - Junction at the bottom of a rock slide zone
  8. 7 : km 12.11 - alt. 1,940 m - Junction with the GR5
  9. 8 : km 12.81 - alt. 1,750 m - Trail leading to Larche
  10. E : km 13.65 - alt. 1,678 m - Gîte GTA (Larche)

Practical information

In Chiappera: refuge Campo Base, catering. Phone 0039 - (0)1 71 99 068.
In Larche:
- Stage gîte, catering. Phone: 04 92 84 30 80.
- Coach Service to Barcelonnette.
No drinking water sources during the trek apart from at the shelters so bring water supplies with you.
1/25000 scale map is a must. A compass wouldn't hurt...

In the nearby area

The climb to Col de Sautron: beautiful setting, wildlife landscape, relics of an old military base.

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.