Vallouise - Pré de la Chaumette Mountain Hut

Introduction: from the Aigliére stopover lodge, make your way to the shuttle bus departure point to go to the Entre-les-Aigues car park. To do this:
- head towards the town centre, cross the bridge and go down to the right towards the bus stop, opposite a sports shop, which is where the shuttle buses depart from.
Please note, however: you must book the day before; to do so, contact the lodge to make this reservation.
Note: it is of course possible to reach Entre-les-Aigues by road; this adds about 8 km. To do so, head right from the lodge and follow the^GR® to the Entre-les-Aigues car park.

(S) Turn left and cross the footbridge over the Torrent des Bans.

(1) Continue along the left bank of the Torrent de la Selle. Continue up a very gentle slope until you reach the Cabane de Jas Lacroix.

(2) Go round it and continue easily to the footbridge over the Ruisseau de Chanteloube.

(3) Cross the footbridge and begin a long, difficult climb. Follow the left bank of the Torrent de la Boucheyère to reach the hamlet of Champ Rond.

(4) Cross the torrent, continue straight ahead and, via a few hairpin bends, reach the Ravin de la Saume.

(5) Cross the Torrent de la Selle once more and continue on to complete the ascent of the Col de l'Aup Martin via steep slopes, a sloping path and very rocky ground.

(6) Continue along the^GR®; take care here as the path is very narrow and runs along a ledge above the vast Grands Vallonnets valley. Proceed with great caution to reach the Pas de La Cavale,

(7) Begin the descent, which is just as difficult as the ascent as it is on very loose, rocky terrain. Via numerous tight hairpin bends at the start, then more spaced out further on, reach, after the Cabane des Rougoux, a crossroads of paths

(8) Continue straight on along the^GR®, following the Torrent de l'Aupette.

(9) Cross the Drac Blanc and then reach the Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette and its bivouac area (E), today’s destination.

(S) Start from the Aigliére stopover lodge in Vallouise-Pelvoux.
(S) Entre-les-Aigues car park
(E) Arrival at the Pré de la Chaumette refuge, a return to the joys of camping, in a magnificent designated area near the stream where you can enjoy a shower in an extraordinary natural setting. The cold water relaxes the muscles, especially after such a challenging stage.
Refuge at the bottom of the Vallon de La Pierre, an extension of the Champoléon valley.
Excellent refuge for a meal. A superb welcome.

Useful addresses and links:
Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette
Email: refugepredelachaumette@ffcam.fr
Telephone: 04 92 55 95 34

As with all mountain hikes, bring binoculars, a camera, an IGN map and/or a guidebook.
There are plenty of streams, so you won’t have any trouble finding water.
Note: many herds are guarded by sheepdogs, known as patous. Hikers are therefore strongly advised not to stray from the path. If you encounter a guard dog, remain calm and passive to reassure it.

Please note: this section is very technical and requires great care, especially if you are carrying large rucksacks.

From (S) to (3) The Torrent de la Selle valley lies within a wild landscape where nature seems untouched. It is a valley that receives very little sunlight in the morning, which makes for a splendid panorama.
Here you can enjoy the mountains, all of which rise to over 3,000 metres in height, including the ridges of Aup Martin, Pointe du Loup, Pointe de l’Ailgliére and a few traces of glaciers.
Please take care between (5) and (7). The path requires sure-footedness. It is sloping and very unstable on ground covered with slate.