Trekking in the Valgaudemar (Hautes-Alpes)
Duration : 6 days
France, Southern Alps
Level : difficult
from 827 € / p. from 3 to 8 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
If there is a wild and secluded place, it is this part of the Écrins National Park located on the borders of the Valgaudemar valley. While being close to the huts, the solitude is guaranteed. It is the assurance of meeting a preserved and authentic mountain almost exclusively crossed in summer by the numerous sheep and some shepherds...
This trekking in the Hautes-Alpes is for good hikers capable of making a daily effort for about 8 hours. The solitude of the area, the altitude difference and the length of the itinerary make this a long-distance hike, which can be enhanced by an off-trail ascent to over 3,000 meters.
If you like multi-day treks, I also offer:
- the 9-day tour of Queyras,
- the tour of the Clarée valley and ascent of Mont Thabor,
- 2 days on the Taillefer plateau,
- the tour of Mont Lozère in the Cévennes,
- a 2-day itinerary with bivouac in Vanoise,
- and the grand tour of the Écrins massif.
Program
D1: La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar - Souffles hut.
We start this trek towards the village of Villar-Loubière, along the Séveraisse river, before starting the climb to the hut.
5 to 6 hours' walk, positive altitude difference: 1000 meters, negative altitude difference: 170 meters, distance: 11km.
D2: Souffles hut - Olan hut.
We visit Lautier lake, then head off-trail to climb Pic Turbat, a summit of over 3,000 meters. The view of Mont Olan is magnificent. We then descend to the Olan hut via the "Pas de l'Olan".
5 to 6 hours' walk, D+: 1500m, D-: 1150m, distance: 11km.
D3: Olan hut - Xavier Blanc hut.
From the hut, a long descent awaits us into the valley, where we walk along the torrent to pass the Rif du Sap and reach the Xavier Blanc hut.
It's possible to pick up your belongings from the cars as we're passing by.
5 to 6 hours' walk, D+: 400m, D-: 1300m, distance: 12km.
D4: Xavier Blanc hut - Pigeonnier hut.
We head for the Gioberney parking lot, where we can admire the bride's veil waterfall. From here we climb to Lauzon and Bleu lakes before reaching the Pigeonnier hut.
6 to 7 hours' walk, D+: 1100m, D-: 200m, distance: 10km.
D5: Pigeonnier hut - Vallonpierre hut.
Today is the main stage of this tour, which will take us through the Cirque du Vaccivier. We pass under the magnificent Sirac to reach our hut, set in an idyllic setting on the edge of a superb lake.
7 to 8 hours' walk, D+: 1300m, D-: 1150m, distance: 17km.
D6: Vallonpierre hut - La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar.
This is the last day of our trek, and we return to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar on a trail that is almost entirely downhill to finish our journey.
4 to 5 hours' walk, D+: 60m, D-: 1250m, distance: 14km.
The price includes
- Supervision by the mountain leader.
- Accommodation in refuges with breakfast, picnic and dinner.
The price does not include
- Return transport to the meeting place in the Valgaudemard valley, about 1 hour drive from Gap and 2 hours from Grenoble.
- An airtight box if needed for picnics (possibility of loan).
- First day picnic.
- Snacks.
- Drinks.
- Showers in the huts.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".
Accommodation
- Mountain huts.
- In dormitories.