Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R128
Le Monêtier-les-Bains » Vallouise
|
6h10 |
19.2 km
|
949 m
|
1250 m
The trail leaves Monêtier-les-Bains on the GR® 54 “Tour de l’Oisans et des Ecrins” with its highest point at the Eychauda pass at the foot of the Dôme de Monêtier glaciers. Bordering the Ecrins national park, it then heads down to the Chambran chalets before crossing the community of Pelvoux to reach the village of Vallouise, the stage destination and doorway to the Ecrins national park.
Leave Monêtier-les-Bains in a south-westerly direction, cross the Guisane valley to reach the signposts for the GR® 54 trail and follow the little road leading to a car park. Veer to the left and after 200m, climb to the right through the wooded meadows to reach the Charvet chapel. Continue to the right to reach a hilltop, walk over it and cross the larch wood below the Lauzières ridge to come out at the Selle stream at the “Tronchet” area. The climb, at first steep and then somewhat gentler, runs alongside the stream before leaving the forest near the starting point of the two ski lifts and a high-altitude restaurant. Walk along paths and slopes to the Eychauda pass (2,425m). Cross the pass and descend towards the south east, ignoring the trails to the Cucumelle, Fréjus and Pisse passes on the left. Leave a rocky escarpment and then the Sastrière stream to the right. Cross three ravines before reaching the trail descending from the Pisse pass and a little lower the ruins of the Riou-la-Selle chalet (1,749m). Walk along the wide pastureland road to the Chambran chalets (1,719m). Then continue on the left bank of the stream, following the road and then, veering slightly to the left (1,689m), leave it behind on a path heading to the right which rejoins the road further down at a turn, before an intersection (1,550m). At the next turn, take the path that joins departmental road D 421 lower down, follow this road, cutting across two hairpin bends and arriving at the Sarret. Continue along the D 994E to reach the centre of Vallouise (1,166m). (Marc Buisson, CDRP 05)
Natural and cultural heritage
On leaving Monêtier, the trail rises up along the side of the slopes of the Serre-Chevalier ski slopes, against the backdrop of the Montagne des Agneaux (3,664m), which prefigures the Ecrins summits. Leaving the ski lifts behind and following the Tour de l’Oisans (GR® 54) route, the trail climbs up to the Eychauda pass (2,425m) dominated by the white, triangular summit of the Cucumelle (2,698m) and the Rocher de l’Yvret (2,830m). The pass is the formerly highly frequented passageway between the Guisane and Vallouise valleys. The descent through the Vallouise valley is a pleasant one along the grassy, undulating slopes of the sedimentary Roche Gauthier ridge, with the contrasting sharp relief of the crystalline Clouzis massif on the other side of the Chambran valley. Close to the typical hamlet of Chambran (old, restored mountain chalets), the land is still used for pasture, although the cows have been replaced by sheep. The arrival at the community of Pelvoux calls to mind the imposing presence of the peak by the same name (3,943m) nearby. The old hamlets there (Le Poët, Le Sarret, Le Fangeas, St Antoine, Les Claux) are all characteristic of the Vallouise valley: traditional vaulted houses, a chapel, community oven, fountains and sundials. If you leave in the direction of Ailefroide, it is also possible to reach the Pré-de-Mme Carle meadow, a popular starting point for the highest mountaineering races in the Ecrins area with guides from the valley. Vallouise valley — the name of which derives from “Vallis Loysia” in honour of Louis XI, who in the XVth century tried to limit the persecution by the Catholic church of the Vaudois people (considered to be heretics) inhabiting the valley, which was then called “Valpute” (“bad valley”) — therefore boasts a remarkable historical heritage thanks to its architecture, sundials, etc.; but it is also home to an interesting population of the rare Isabelle de France butterfly. Vallouise village itself was built within the vast glacial valley scattered with erratic blocks bearing witness to this past activity, at the confluence of the Gyr and the Onde rivers, which join to form the Gyronde. (Nicolas Aubertin, Gilles Chappaz, Grande Traversée des Alpes)
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Piet Clerinx - 2023-07-12
La signalisation entre le Col du Buffère et Monetier est renouvelée. Pas de possibilité de se tromper. Le balisage des GR est aussi nouveau. Mais le temps de marche entre le col et Monetier est beaucoup plus. J'ai mis 2h30 du col jusqu'a Monetier, pause inclus.
Glucose - 2023-06-19
Bonjour.
Je confirme l'avis de Socrate. Sauf si vous aimez les domaines skiables, il est beaucoup plus agréable de quitter Le Monêtier par le vallon du grand Tabuc et rejoindre le col des grangettes. Il y a juste une petite partie sur du rocher qui peut être glissante par temps pluvieux mais équipée d'un câble. Splendide vue sur le lac.
Socrate Georgiades - 2019-09-06
La montée de Monetier jusqu'au col de l'Eychauda n'est pas très intéressante, on traverse de grands chantiers d'aménagement des pistes de ski. Il vaut mieux essayer de passer par le lac de l'Eychauda, c'est un peu plus dur mais c'est beau et silencieux. Après le col, le paysage est vraiment superbe, on ne se retrouve plus qu'entre randonneurs, le long du parc des Ecrins.
Automatic translation
[Google]
The climb from Monetier to the Col de l'Eychauda is not very interesting, we cross major development sites ski slopes. It is better to try to go through Lake Eychauda, it's a little harder but it's beautiful and quiet. After the pass, the landscape is really beautiful, it is found only between hikers, along the Ecrins Park.
In picturesque but tourist overladen Vallouise there is little choice for accommodation. The GR54-dortoir as well as the Refuge Aguille are closed down, and the Gite Baouti is almost always full. Next door is the one star hotel Edelweiss, a good alternative for €48+ pppn, breakfast only. (exclusive)
JLC - 2016-10-02
Très belle étape très aérienne, malgré la montée entre 2 télésièges.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Very nice stage very aerial, despite the rise between 2 chairlifts.
Elisabeth - 2015-10-14
Je pensais cheminer tranquillement sur le GR 54 que j'avais parcouru... il y a 30 ans ! Mais tout a été chamboulé par les pistes de ski et il n'y a aucun balisage entre Le Monêtier et le col de l'Eychauda ! Bien difficile de se retrouver entre les différentes remontées mécaniques. Et quelle désolation : plus de paysage et une retenue collinaire au col !!!
Automatic translation
[Google]
I thought quietly walk on the GR 54 ... I had gone there 30 years! But everything has been turned upside down by the ski slopes and there is no markup between Le Monêtier and the neck of the Eychauda! Although difficult to find between the different lifts. And what desolation: more landscape and a hill reservoir at neck !!!
Tof - 2015-05-01
Trieste-Monaco le 1/10/14
Temps à la pluie et au brouillard. Belle montée en forêt, un peu moins chouette au col avec les remontées mécaniques.
Redescente assez longue mais une ambiance de bout du monde dans le vallon de l'Eychauda.
Encore du chemin pour Vallouise où tout est ouvert pour le ravitaillement (épicerie, boulangerie, bar). Pas de camping ouvert. Nuitées au gite de l'Aigliere. Cuisine indépendante utilisable. Bel accueil au centre du beau village pittoresque.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Trieste-Monaco on 1/10/14 Time to rain and fog. Beautiful climb in the woods, a little less nice to the neck with the lifts. Lengthy descent but an atmosphere of end of the world in the valley of the Eychauda. Still some way to Vallouise where everything is open for refueling (grocery, bakery, bar). No camping opened. Nights at the cottage of Aigliere. Usable kitchen. Beautiful home in the center of the beautiful picturesque village.
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2013-05-20
Malgré la présence du GR 54 et le la Via Alpina, il y a un certain ombre d'arbres couchés au travers de la trace ...Plus haut, au dessus de belles foréts de mélèzes, l'itinéraire se mélange largement avec les pistes de ski et la poussière des 4 x 4 ...
Arrivé à VALLOUISE , j'ai été bien accueilli au Gite LE BAOUTI , situé à la sortie du village, en direction Des VIGNAUX ...
Douche, chambre avec 1/2 pension pour 33 €uro .
Tel 04 92 23 46 50
Automatic translation
[Google]
Despite the presence of the GR 54 and the Via Alpina, there are a shadow lying across the track ... High trees over beautiful larch forests, the route is largely mixed with tracks ski and dust 4 x 4 ... Reached VALLOUISE I was welcomed at Gite THE BAOUTI, located at the exit of the village, towards ... The VIGNAUX Shower room with half board from 33 € uro. Tel 04 92 23 46 50
|
6h10 |
19.2 km
|
949 m
|
1250 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.