Embark on a journey through time in the heart of the Ecrins

To those who know Samivel, who lived the warm hours of the return to the earth in Valgaudemar, who followed "the 100 most beautiful races in the Scriptures", those there know the flowering valleys, the smell of hay, the crystal clear torrents, walking under the eye of the tops and the light air of the high collars. To all the others who join them, welcome to this ancestral mountain, which lives to the rhythm of sheep breeding, stories of mountaineering, wolves roaming, in a nature that lets explode its beauty and its biodiversity preserved. Between Valgaudemar, Champoléon and Champsaur, the route unfolds, sometimes alpine, sometimes contemplative, for a varied and harmonious stay.

Hike details

See the technical facts

Dates & prices

Stay of 6 days and 5 nights:
2022 prices

Without carrying luggage:

For a group of 2 to 3 people: 585€ per person
For a group of 4 people or more: 495€ per person

With baggage transport except J3:

For a group of 2 to 3 people: 855€ per person
For a group of 4 people or more: 685€ per person

Single departure: contact us.

Secure payment

THE PRICE

The price includes:

Organisation and booking fees, guiding by a qualified and insured mountain leader ;
All meals including picnic lunches and snacks during the day ;
Accommodation in gîtes, refuges and small hotels, shower tokens in accomodation if required ;
Daily luggage transport between accommodation (except on Day 5) and bus transfers.

The price does not include:

Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), touristic visits ;
Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point ;
Airport taxes and other exclusions clearly described within the corresponding technical sheet.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Departure from Villar Loubière, in the valley of Valgaudemar

VILLAR LOUBIERE – PETAREL LAKES – THE VALGAUDEMAR CHAPEL
The objective of the day is hidden on a small plateau of altitude. The lakes of Pétarel invite to contemplation with a wide panorama on the summit of Olan (3564m). Crossing the Col de Pétarel allows to make a beautiful loop, although demanding! In both cases the day ends with a passage to the Oules du diable before going down to sleep at the Chapelle. Night in small hotel, in room.
6h walk/ Altitude difference: +1100 m; -1050 m
7h30 walk/ altitude difference: + 1500 m; - 1450 m (optional pass)

Day 2

GIOBERNEY - PIGEON LODGE - LAC DU LAUZON
Departure by shuttle from the valley to the Gioberney refuge. The hike leads to the small hut of the dovecote where many climbers go to try the climb of the Rouies. Perched on its promontory, in the heart of the massif, the refuge overlooks the valley by more than 700m. The descent path leads quietly to the refuge. Option possible by Lake Lauzon, a must in the area.
5h walk/ Altitude difference: +/- 900m
5h30 walk/ Altitude difference: +/- 950m with Lake Lauzon

Day 3

REFUGE DE CHABOURNEOU - REFUGE DE VALLONPIERRE
The day begins with a short descent to reach the alp of Surette. Here the valley is wide and dominated by the impressive north face of the Sirac. A path leads to the refuge of Chabournéou. A few small steep passages and a balcony path leads to the magical plateau of Vallonpierre and its lake surrounded by blocks. Overnight in refuge by the lake, in dormitory.
5h30 walk/ Altitude difference: +1050m; -350m

Day 4

JOURNÉE DES TROIS COLS – PRE DE LA CHAUMETTE - CHAMPOLEON
A short climb leads to the Vallonpierre pass (2607m) before crossing in the direction of the Gouiran pass (2591m) then to the Valette pass (2671m), by valleys suspended between the Sirac and the valley. Descent on the Pré de la Chaumette, then towards the parking lot of Auberts. Transfer to the hamlet of Borels, in the beautiful valley of Champoléon. Overnight in a cottage, in a room.
6h30 walk/ altitude difference: 680 m; -1520 m

Day 5

COL DE LA VENASQUE - CHAILLOL
The day begins with a climb in the forest, which allows to enter a wide valley. The circus expands and offers to the sight a splendid alp, still in activity, as evidenced by the round bushes and the huts of shepherds in the distance. The climb continues and becomes more mineral, until the pass of the Venasque (2487m). Change of atmosphere on the west face of the massif. Descent along the Baou (waterfalls) to Chaillol. Overnight in a small hotel, in a room.
6h walk/ Altitude difference: +1200m; -890m

Day 6

LES AIGUILLES – COL DU VIALLET – MOLINES EN CHAMPSAUR
Departure by the ski slope, which we leave quickly to find the melizin and the alpine pastures already southern. The climb to the Viallet pass passes through strange rocky needles. A nice descent by the round path leads to the Roy valley, one of the most secret of the massif, then the hamlet of Molines.
5h walk / Altitude difference: +680m – 1000m

End of the afternoon hike in Molines en Champsaur.
Transfer by taxi possible to St Firmin or Villar Loubière, optional, to book at registration.

The programme has been drawn up according to the last elements known at the time of its writing; imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control can alter its unfolding.

The trip

LEVEL ***

Daily height difference: +/-900 m on average. Maximum height difference: 1200m.
Duration of the stages: between 5 and 7 hours per day.
Maximum crossing altitude: 2671 m.
Mountain trails, marked, without particular difficulties.

ACCOMODATION

4 comfortable nights in a stopover lodge or mountain refuge, in a room for 2 to 4 people.
1 night in a mountain hut, in a dormitory

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are served in the accommodation.
For lunch, picnics can be ordered the day before in the accommodation.
Grocery in La Chapelle in Valgaudemar and Chaillol.

CARTOGRAPHY

IGN Top 25 - 3437 OT - St Bonnet en Champsaur

IGN Top 75 - 06 - Massif des Ecrins et Champsaur(1/75,000 ET 1/25,000)

Practical information

ACCESS TO THE STARTING POINT

Meeting at Villar Loubière, in Valgaudemar valley.

BY TRAIN

From Paris: One way: Paris night train / Gap or TGV day train
Back: day train via Grenoble or Gap then TGV to Paris.
Timetables to check with SNCF: yes.sncf

BY CAR

From Grenoble, prendre la direction de Gap.

Passer la Mûre, puis St Firmin.
Prendre à gauche la vallée du Valgaudemar.

In order to plan your journey, we advise you to get information on the itinerary from the different sites: www.viamichelin.fr / www.mappy.fr

BY COVOITURAGE
Some websites where drivers and passengers can share rides: covoiturage-libre, laroueverte, roulezmalin, blablacar

End of the tour around 2.30 pm at the bus station of Ville Vieille.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRIP

Hotel Ban de l'ours in St Maurice en Valgodemart (3 km from the start of the hike)

For a gastronomic and atypical stop, in the small hamlet of Molines (in the heart of the massif): Auberge Gaillard
To book long in advance...

TO CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

Walking trousers
Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
Breathable or merino wool leggings
Fleece or jumper
Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
Pair of gloves and a warm hat
Sun hat or baseball cap
Walking socks (1 pair per day)
Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
1 change of clothes for the evening
A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

Toilet bag
Quick drying towel
Sunglasses and sun cream
Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
Knife, fork and spoon
Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
Plastic cup for coffee
Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
Survival blanket
Head torch or hand torch
Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
Two adjustable and highly walking poles
Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be daily transported between accommodation by our vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver to refuges, which access is not always easy!
Please use one bag per person; gathering together the belongings of two people usually leads to a heavy bag. Two bags of 10kg are better than one bag of 20 !

Luggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

AOSTA VALLEY GRAN PARADISO

Duration : 7 days

Guided / with a guide

LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE

Duration : 6 days

Guided / with a guide

BETWEEN VERCORS AND DÉVOLUY

Duration : 7 days

Guided / with a guide

TOUR OF VIEUX CHAILLOL self-guided

Embark on a journey through time in the heart of the Ecrins

You will like

Partager sur :

TOUR OF VIEUX CHAILLOL self-guided

Circuit

Last places available !

TOUR OF MONT BLANC 7 days

AOSTA VALLEY GRAN PARADISO

HAUT QUEYRAS

GRAN PARADISO AND SUMMIT (4061m)

MORZINE PANORAMA

THE MYTHIC DOLOMITES

HIGH PASSES OF GRAN PARADISIO

THE CINQUE TERRE

Hike details