Refuge To Refuge Hiking Southern Alps
Écrins National Park Tour

Day 1 : From Villar-Loubière to the Souffles refuge

Meeting point at 3:00 PM in the village of Villar-Loubière for this first stage. The afternoon start allows everyone to reach the Valgaudemar from Gap or Grenoble by bus or carpool. Access to Villar-Loubière is also possible via the Valgaudemar shuttle during summer.

At its shortest, the stage is 5km long and 950m high, the climb is steep. The guide who will accompany you will make you walk on the gentler paths to reach the Souffles huts through a splendid larch forest.

Note: during this stage, you will pass in front of an amazing geological formation. The Arraches in the shape of an organ are amazing in the landscape.

The Souffles refuge is a comfortable refuge with hot shower (gas) held by Jean Claude and spacious dormitories.

Day 2 : From the Souffles refuge to La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar

This second day is a day with 3 passes: Col des Clochettes, Col de Colombe and Pas de l’Olan. A superb itinerary which will also take you through the Lautier lake.

About the Olan: This imposing peak rises into the sky when arriving from Gap on the Route Napoléon at Chauffayer. Culminating at 3,564m, the Olan is composed of 3 summits, the highest being the northern one. It was first climbed on July 8, 1875 by Coolidge and Almer.

Note: A return trip to a summit of +3000m may be proposed if the leader considers that the physical capacity of the group allows it. From the Col des Colombes it is the Pic Turbat.

At its shortest, this stage also counts 1000m of positive difference in altitude for 9.5km of distance. The descent to the village of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar is done on a path winding from waterfall to waterfall with notably the Combefroide waterfall.

Day 3 : From La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar to Xavier-Blanc

This stage invites you to discover a less-frequented part of the valley: the Buffe waterfall and the summit of Le Chapeau via the ridges of Côte Grasse (exposed trail). The trail then descends to the hamlet of Rif du Sap before arriving at the Xavier Blanc refuge.

Day 4 : From the Clot – Xavier-Blanc hut to the Pigeonnier hut

After two nights in the valley bottom, this 4th day of hiking invites the group to get back to height by passing by the bucolic paths of the Alpages of Vallonpierre and its refuge before joining the atypical refuge of Chabournéou by a balcony path.

Its terrace offers a superb point of view on sunny days on the sunset and its solar shower a precious moment of relaxation or energy depending on the number of clouds.

Day 5 : From the Chabournéou refuge to the Pigeonnier refuge

A stage that starts gently at almost 2000m of altitude and ends at the Pigeonnier refuge 300m higher.

It is however the most sportive stage of this itinerant hike with paths in balconies, plateaus to cross, descents in larches and ascents in rock and mineral scenery.

Day 6 : Blue Lake and Lauzon Lake by the cirque of Muande Bellone

This last stage ends around noon at the Gioberney parking lot. A shuttle is provided to allow participants to reach the starting point: Villar-Loubière.

On the hiking side, this day takes you around the cirque of Muande Bellone. A wild and unmarked itinerary leads directly to the Blue Lake. From there, Lake Lauzon is reached via crossing paths before the 850m descent brings you to the car park at the end of the Valgaudemar road.