Valgaudemar: The Little Himalaya of the Écrins
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
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300
XP
+100 France
= 400 total
2 days
Valgaudemar: The Little Himalaya of the Écrins
300 + 100 XP
The Valgaudemar cuts into the Écrins between the Bans (3,669 m) and the Drac, with nearly 3,000 m between the valley floor and its highest summit. Gaston Rébuffat called it the French Himalaya and Lionel Terray the most Himalayan of Alpine valleys. Its road ends at the Gioberney chalet-refuge at 1,650 m below the Voile de la Mariée falls, and the GR 54 round the Écrins comes down the col de la Vouize from the Valjouffrey to join the valley at Villar-Loubière.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Drive the valley road to its end at the Gioberney, walk to the foot of the Voile de la Mariée, and from the cirque pick out the three walls that close the valley: the Rouies to the north, the Bans to the east at 3,669 m, and the Sirac to the south
2
of 4
Climb from the Gioberney to the Lac du Lauzon at about 2,000 m, and if the legs are willing carry on up to the Refuge du Pigeonnier at 2,430 m, rebuilt in 2003, for the view back down the whole valley
3
of 4
Walk up through Villar-Loubière at 1,033 m, where the core zone of the Écrins national park begins and the GR 54 comes in over the col de la Vouize, and go into its museum mill under the pic des Souffles
4
of 4
Walk up the torrent de Navette between the hamlet of Les Portes and La Chapelle to the Oules du Diable, the potholes the water has drilled into the rock, and if you have a full day left climb to the lac de Pétarel, called the mirror of the Olan
Drive the valley road to its end at the Gioberney, walk to the foot of the Voile de la Mariée, and from the cirque pick out the three walls that close the valley: the Rouies to the north, the Bans to the east at 3,669 m, and the Sirac to the south
Climb from the Gioberney to the Lac du Lauzon at about 2,000 m, and if the legs are willing carry on up to the Refuge du Pigeonnier at 2,430 m, rebuilt in 2003, for the view back down the whole valley
Walk up through Villar-Loubière at 1,033 m, where the core zone of the Écrins national park begins and the GR 54 comes in over the col de la Vouize, and go into its museum mill under the pic des Souffles
Walk up the torrent de Navette between the hamlet of Les Portes and La Chapelle to the Oules du Diable, the potholes the water has drilled into the rock, and if you have a full day left climb to the lac de Pétarel, called the mirror of the Olan
Before you go
The valley road is a dead end and the upper section to the Gioberney is a summer road only; in winter the valley is given over to cross-country and ski touring. The Lauzon and Pigeonnier walks are high mountain routes above 2,000 m, so check the refuge is staffed and the weather before setting off.
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
300 XP
France country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
400 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in France.
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