Camping Huttopia Vallouise: Local discoveries and adventures

Roaming between Vallouise and Durance for three days, hikers are gently drawn into the history of this mountain territory, at the turn of every path discovering the iconic landscapes and peaks of Les Écrins.The starting point of the trek, Vallouise, is a small tourist town featuring traditional architecture. Here, you can visit the Park Centre (“Maison du Parc”), explore the gardens and alleyways and make your final purchases before setting off on your tour.Following a forest track, the first stage takes you to Puy-Saint-Vincent, a mountain village and ski resort. Then, passing through a number of hamlets of this community, you come to the Col de la Pousterle and its vast grassy stretches surrounded by larches. Here, you gain a remarkable panoramic view over Pelvoux and the Glacier Blanc. As you head down towards the Durance, the forest ambience that predominates for most of the descent gives way to more urban surroundings: L’Argentière la Bessée, a small town with a rich industrial past, has not only preserved its economic and social dynamism but also offers an attractive living environment and lifestyle!The second stage leads to the charming mountain pasture hamlet of Bouchier. After following the Gyronde mountain stream and passing through the village of Les Vigneaux, you climb uphill towards this hamlet enjoying superb views over the Queyras valley and the Briançon area. This slope faces due south and it can be very hot here despite the forest cover.During your overnight stay in Bouchier, make the most of the pure skies and the absence of light pollution to gaze at the stars, either directly or from the astronomical observatory established there, if it is open.The final stage takes you back to Vallouise. The balcony pathway above the Gyronde hugs the Montbrison massif and its famous ridge formations ("Dentelles", meaning lace in French). After Les Vigneaux, the view opens up onto the glacial valleys of Ailefroide and the Glacier Blanc, and also onto your first-stage route, Puy-Saint-Vincent and the Col de la Pousterle.

The local inhabitants are called the "Traversouirres” because their houses are built in a series of small hamlets perched on the slope and the streets on the side of the "puy” (mountain). Here people say you "traverse" (“cross”) to go from one hamlet to the next.The trail begins on the Puy-Saint-Vincent church forecourt. With your back to the church, follow the road on the right as far as the intersection.Then turn right and follow the road to the next crossroads.Turn right into the road leading to the starting point in front of the church.

In a very high mountain setting, this hike follows the valley of mythical mountains which lead to two refuges by crossing a perilous cliff.From the carpark, go up the Sélé valley on the path which follows the right bank of the Celse Nière torrent. After a long climb with a hidden gradient, the path goes up in steep bends to a junction with the track to Pelvoux (1993m).Follow straight along on large crossings that lead on foot to the very steep cliff.A wide track enables you to hold on to the cables going up this face firstly to the right, then crossing towards the left.After the cliff, go up a good path which turns abruptly to the right to reach the summit of the rocky promontory where the refuge is located.

This walk to La Bosse de Clapouse, manages to unite the mildness of the larch forest, the coolness of the ravines, and the dimension of the high mountain all in an environment of emblematic plant life.From the car park, walk up the Sélé valley by the footpath that follows the left bank of the Celse Nière stream.At the post, 1572 m, cross the footbridge over the stream to the left. (It is taken down from November to June) Go up the right bank of the stream by the Clapouse footpath, then head diagonally to the left to meander up the slopes alternating through larch and green alder. The route then ingeniously leads to the ledges and crosses ravines before coming to the Clapouse valley. La Bosse (the bump) is the small summit that is reached by following a footpath.The return trip is made by the same itinerary in the opposite direction.

A climb to a charming mountain refuge on a footpath that leads to sites that are important in the history of mountaineering. From the car park, walk up the Sélé valley by the footpath that follows the left bank of the Celse Nière stream. After a long, slightly uphill walk, the footpath continues up steep bends until it reaches the junction with the Sélé mountain refuge path.Turn right onto the footpath that winds among the rock falls and small rock ledges, towards the Pelvoux mountain refuge then continue winding down the grassy slopes and gentle sloped rocks. The mountain refuge cannot be seen until the last moment but it indicated by cairns (piles of stones).Follow the same route in the opposite direction for the return trip.

A long valley where the sheep spread out, an ascent zig-zagging across a prairie then, hidden behind a cross cliff, the reward: the lake with milky waters. A beautiful journey! From Chambran car park, follow the track which leads to the bottom of the valley. Further along, it leaves on the right a track to the Eychauda mountain pass. After a big walkway over the torrent, follow the trail which passes not far from the pastoral cabin. The track gently rises in the bottom of the top the foot of the rocky ridge. It bends upwards, first over a large scree slope then flowered grass land. A small lower shelf and there is the lake, well hidden behind its cross cliff. It nestles at the bottom of the glacial cirque surrounded by high ridges.Return using the same itinerary. 

This long elevated hike in the superb glacial Fournel valley gives you access to exceptional biodiversity.From the carpark at Deslioures, take the path on the right, the alternative itinerary on the GR54 (Tour de l'Oisans).Go along several bends in « la Folie » to reach the plateau which will take you along a gentle elevation, by the « Malafosse » shale, to the pastoral cabin of Balme.Continue on the elevated path under the cabin until the torrent at Clausis, the entrance into the heart of the national park, then up to the Grande Cabane, positioned above the glacial cross cliff at Fournel.Go down by the same track. It is possible to continue towards the Pas de la Cavale, mountain pass which enables you to get back to the Pré de la Chaumette in the Champsaur.

To get to the Champsaur via Le Pas de la Cavale, a gentle footpath runs the length of the Fournel valley. This is a long hike in some of the wildest scenery. From the Deslioures Car Park, at the end of the trail that follows the Fournel stream, take the footpath to the right, which is an alternative itinerary to the GR54 trail (Tour of Oisans). After the first few bends, you will arrive at a plateau from which a trail through the shale leads to La Balme pastoral hut. Follow this trail to the Clausis stream and enter the National Park. Then continue until you reach the Grande Cabane, which is situated above the Fournel glacial cross-cliff.From here, the footpath continues up into the valley alongside beautiful wetlands, crossing scree and shale before reaching the pass.Three possibilities for the return trip: back the way you came, via the Pré de la Chaumette to get to the Champsaur or by l’Aup Martin pass in order to reach Vallouise.   

An easy, cool walk to the Jas-Lacroix pastoral hut, along the Selle stream.Take the footpath to left at the end of the carpark.At the first crossing, take the footpath on the left (GR54) towards "Col de l'Aup Martin" cross the bridge over the Onde stream. Follow the cairns in the riverbed of the Onde to join the footpath that follows the Selle stream. This will take you to the pastoral hut next to a shelter for walkers of the GR54 trail (Tour of l'Oisans and Les Ecrins).The return trip will be by the same path. It is also possible to continue towards l’Aup Martin pass, which is the highest point of the GR54 trail at 2761 m in altitude.

At an altitude of 2761 m, l’Aup Martin pass is the highest point on the GR54 Tour des Ecrins et de l'Oisans. The icy névé that remain until the beginning of spring or the slippery shale can make some stretches difficult.Park at the Cascades car park, at the end of the road to the bottom of the Fressinières valley. Take the footpath to left at the end of the car park.At the first crossing, take the footpath to the left, GR54, cross the footbridge over the Onde towards Col de l'Aup Martin. Follow the cairns in the riverbed of the Onde to join the footpath that follows the Selle stream. This will take you to the pastoral hut of Jas Lacroix, which is next to a shelter for walkers on the GR54 trail. Continue on the footpath, which heads to the bottom of the valley, over a ledge next to a waterfall, then continues along the south slope on a ledge, sometimes between large stone walls, until it reaches a shale zone at the foot of the Aup Martin pass.The return trip can use the same route to get to Vallouise. The descent via Le Pas de la Cavale and Le Pré de la Chaumette enable you to continue on the GR54 to the Champsaur area. It is also possible to get to l'Argentière la Bessée via Le Pas de la Cavale and the Fournel valley.

Chabournéou unveils a world of mountains and glaciers. This former refuge with its authentic atmosphere provides a fine alternative on the Vieux Chaillol Tour or GR54 footpath. Meals available all day. No picnic room. An authentic refuge in an Alpine setting at the foot of the north face of the Sirac. Easy to access along a path with the evocative name of "the minister's path", the refuge welcomes visitors for the skiing season in spring and for climbing and hiking during the summer. Access in 2 hrs 30 min from the Gioberney car park; 450-metre incline.

Built at the sources of the White Drac, near the disused Champoléon cabin, this refuge with its stone roof offers tasty regional food at lunchtime and copious Alpine meals in the evening. The refuge is easy to access for families: 1 hr 30 mins from the Auberts car park (elevation: 350 m). Large number of hiking trails leaving from the refuge.

Nestled at the foot of the west face of the Sirac, this refuge was built in 2001 from wood and stone. Bright, spacious dormitories with duvets. Hot water showers and indoor toilets. From the refuge, there is a wide range of climbs and hikes: Sirac, Col and Pic de Vallonpierre, Col des Chevrettes, GR 54 footpath, Chabournéou refuge, Tour du Vieux Chaillol. Accessible in 2 hrs 30 mins from Gioberney car park, elevation 700 metres.

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with cottages, tents, pods, geodesic domes and a heated swimming pool.

The Clot - Xavier-Blanc refuge, with 100 years rich in history, welcomes you in the shade of colossal trees for a relaxing break. Whether you are on the GR 54 footpath or out for a day's hike, you are sure to be charmed by this refuge, lulled by the murmur of the nearby Séveraisse mountain stream. Access in 15 minutes from Le Rif du Sap.

Adele Planchard is this lady who bequeathed his fortune to build the refuge, punctuating the ascent itirenary of the Grande Ruine. Despite its "high mountain" environment , its long access walk is simple and beautiful. From the refuge, you have a beautiful view of the row of Summit Peak Neige Cordier to La Roche Méane which rises to 3765 m (Pointe Breevort). Pied du Col access pass (5h) on a marked trail. During Summer there is no need of technical equipment.

Sylvie and Sebastian welcome you to their chalet refuge of Chamoissiere; old sheepfold fully restored with ecological and traditional materials ; located in the heart of the Alpine of Villar d'Arene, in a beautiful setting, away from the hustle and bustle. Many walks are easy to find from the refuge, here are some examples: Sources of the Romanche Lake Star Arsine Lake

Located in the heart of the alpine pastures, the Alpe refuge welcomes young and old alike, for a day hike, a first night in a refuge, a stopover on the GR54 or on the way to another refuge. For mountaineering and ski touring: it's THE spot par excellence!

In the heart of the Haute Vallée de la Clarée, the “Marins des Cimes” event takes offshore racing sailors on a journey between the sea and the mountains! Vendée Globe, Transat J. Vabre, Mini... Majestic! The event was born from a meeting with two sailors at the Buffère refuge. The complementarity and similarity of the two offshore and mountain racing activities becomes obvious. This event aims to promote the promotion of ski touring, the meeting between Sailors and Mountaineers through the commitment of exceptional women on a human, environmental and sporting level... And finally, to contribute to the discovery of our alpins territories. The navigators, accompanied by their High Mountain guide, will go from refuge to refuge! Evening in Buffère with video projector to discover their atypical life on their boat...

It is already there on the Napoleonic land register, and was renovated by the town less than 10 years ago with original stone and fire-resistant brick for the vault. Each village had a communal oven saving wood and social ties explain the importance of shared bread baking. Almost a whole month, day and night, between November and December, was devoted to baking bread. The ritual is now carried on in summer baking during religious feast days or other local events.

A portrait of St-Pancras, the patron saint of the Poët chapel, was once painted on the façade, dressed as a crusader. On his feast day, 12 May, there was a morning mass and we made rice pudding to share with inhabitants from other towns who had journeyed there. Almost two months earlier, the feast of Saint-Joseph was celebrated with a mass in Le Sarret, with families from neighbouring villages invited to eat stew and the traditional rice pudding.

In the 19th century, the White Penitents took part in the religious life of the villages of Le Poët and Le Sarret. All the male villagers were members, and they played a special role during funerals. They first sang the misere in front of the deceased’s house and then accompanied the funeral procession, dressed in hooded habits, with a banner, bell, staves and lanterns. A macabre confraternity whose symbol was a skull and crossbones...

Before 1930, the main road passed in front of Le Sarret chapel. Burials took place in Le Poët until the 1940s, when the cemetery was moved to make way for the new road to Pelvoux.

Remnants of a way of life that has disappeared, the Chambran chalets were once a high-altitude village where flocks stayed during the summer months. Today this is a welcome stop along the GR54 and the starting point for hikes towards Lake Eychauda.

At an altitude of 1700 meters, this hamlet is inhabited in summer, at the beginning of the summer pasture. The old dairy has been spruced up to become a snack bar. It’s pretty little chapel dedicated to Saint Jean is very simple and bare.

In the valley, the ruins of numerous piles of stones resulting from the removal of stones in the hay meadows are witness to another age. Most of these old prairies are now grazed by sheep. Pastoralism has evolved: no more local flocks so less hay, the valley is now occupied by a large flock from the Haute-Provence Alps. 

The two slopes of the Chambran valley are very different: the right bank, minerals are very present. There are granites and gneiss making up the crystalline base of the Ecrins massif. On the left bank, the prairies are sandstone and chalky. These are part of the glacial thrust sheet: they are ancient sediments deposited mostly to the East, in the Alpine ocean, then carried here by compression at the time of the formation of the Alps.

On the edge of the Onde, once you have crossed the footbridge, the stone footpath weaves its way between the birch trees. This tree is easy to recognize amongst all the others due to it thin white bark. Due to the tar that it contains, birch bark stays intact even after the wood has rotted inside. It was used as parchment and as tannin in boreal regions. In this area, the birch's young twigs were mostly used to make brooms.

These small moths that come out during the day, are part of thirty species of burnet in France. Their long wings are black or sometimes bluish and have red spots. Such bright colours are a warning of toxicity to their predators. Burnets are capable of extracting chemical components similar to cyanide from plants. They then secrete this poison through their mouth and joints when faced with danger

The talents of the chef and his assistant bring about the alliance of regional specialities ('tourtons', 'ravioles', 'donkey's ears'...) and sophisticated recipes (lamb tapenade, chicken with crawfish, Rossini fillet steak, etc.).

Isa, the eternal optimist, and her team welcome you to the bar-restaurant at Le Petit Cerf for a drink, aperitif, lunch, snack or dinner.

Self, solarium, bar. In a grandiose setting at 2280m above sea level, we meet up with family or friends for a lunch break. Accessible to pedestrians and mountain bikers by Télémix de Rocherousse.

We offer our specialties: leg of lamb cooked in the fireplace, tourtons, blueberry pies and other regional preparations and alpine specialties We also welcome you for banquets, marriages, evenings with friends... Colouring offered to the children.

Restaurant of typical high mountain pasture in 1860m of height. Local and/or organic products. Access the winter in snowshoes or with skis, the summer by car, on foot, by bicycle... Open every lunchtime and in the evening on reservation. Cheese fondue house to be reserved.

Bistrot, restaurant, tearoom on the banks of the Clarée: This bistrot de Pays lives up to its name. A warm welcome all year round, and family-style, gourmet, authentic cuisine with Mediterranean flavors. All homemade with local produce.

It's brand new and it's in Plampinet! Come and have a good time in our open kitchen, around the fireplace, and enjoy our home cooking, charcuterie and home-cured meats from "Le Petit Randonneur" de Plampinet...

Chef Mickaël Magdelaine's cuisine is family-style, friendly and generous. Daily specials and à la carte dishes, in a warm and welcoming setting. Reservations recommended, open by reservation only in the evening.

The Auberge des Ecrins is a great place to meet up in the Champoléon valley. Here regional and world cuisine is made using high-quality local produce for maximum creativity and the pleasure of the tastebuds. Live concerts and evening events too.

Huguette welcomes you to Champoléon, the gentle valley, to savour local specialities and produce from Gondoins farm: tourton fritters, local lamb, cheeses... Don't forget to reserve so you can enjoy the atmosphere of this typical inn.

13/12/2019 > 22/03/2020 19/12/2020 > 21/03/2021 Looking to rent a wooden chalet in the Hautes-Alpes, in the heart of the Pays des Ecrins, for ski holidays with family or friends? Discover the chalets in Vallouise! 15/05/2020 > 27/09/2020 Camp at 1200m with 360° views of the mountains, in the heart of the traditional village of Vallouise. Enjoy a holiday escape in the Ecrins national park!

Chabournéou unveils a world of mountains and glaciers. This former refuge with its authentic atmosphere provides a fine alternative on the Vieux Chaillol Tour or GR54 footpath. Meals available all day. No picnic room. An authentic refuge in an Alpine setting at the foot of the north face of the Sirac. Easy to access along a path with the evocative name of "the minister's path", the refuge welcomes visitors for the skiing season in spring and for climbing and hiking during the summer. Access in 2 hrs 30 min from the Gioberney car park; 450-metre incline.

Built at the sources of the White Drac, near the disused Champoléon cabin, this refuge with its stone roof offers tasty regional food at lunchtime and copious Alpine meals in the evening. The refuge is easy to access for families: 1 hr 30 mins from the Auberts car park (elevation: 350 m). Large number of hiking trails leaving from the refuge.

Perched at 2423 m, at the foot of the Rouies, this real eagle’s nest was restored at the beginning of the year 2000. It uses solar energy and offers dry toilets which are signs of the edifice’s environmental integration. Situated almost at the highest point of this hike, it is often the place for a short, beneficial rest, beside the nearby pond.

The construction of the chalet-hôtel at Gioberney started during the Second World War as part of a youth project. It enabled some young people the possibility of escaping obligatory work service in Germany (STO). The stones for the building were taken on the spot, cut and put together using cement mortar. At that time the road to Gioberney did not yet exist, and would only be built in 1963. You had to go up on foot, for « tired intellectuals », it was possible to be helped by a mule in order to reach the refuge. There was not much frequentation until the construction of the road... 

Nestled at the foot of the west face of the Sirac, this refuge was built in 2001 from wood and stone. Bright, spacious dormitories with duvets. Hot water showers and indoor toilets. From the refuge, there is a wide range of climbs and hikes: Sirac, Col and Pic de Vallonpierre, Col des Chevrettes, GR 54 footpath, Chabournéou refuge, Tour du Vieux Chaillol. Accessible in 2 hrs 30 mins from Gioberney car park, elevation 700 metres.

On the outskirts of La Vachette, in the direction of Névache, discover Flower Camping Le Montana ***: a family campsite on a human scale, equipped with cottages, tents, pods, geodesic domes and a heated swimming pool.

The Clot - Xavier-Blanc refuge, with 100 years rich in history, welcomes you in the shade of colossal trees for a relaxing break. Whether you are on the GR 54 footpath or out for a day's hike, you are sure to be charmed by this refuge, lulled by the murmur of the nearby Séveraisse mountain stream. Access in 15 minutes from Le Rif du Sap.

What a strange idea to build this mountain refuge below the road leading to Gioberney, at an altitude of "only" 1397 m. In fact, it was already there more than a century ago, long before the road was built. This simple, sturdy building belonged to the Valgodemar Mining Company that operated in the area extracting copper and lead. When the business closed, the Club Alpin Français bought the building and named it after Xavier Blanc, in recognition of one of the founder members of the CAF, senator of the Hautes Alpes.

Adele Planchard is this lady who bequeathed his fortune to build the refuge, punctuating the ascent itirenary of the Grande Ruine. Despite its "high mountain" environment , its long access walk is simple and beautiful. From the refuge, you have a beautiful view of the row of Summit Peak Neige Cordier to La Roche Méane which rises to 3765 m (Pointe Breevort). Pied du Col access pass (5h) on a marked trail. During Summer there is no need of technical equipment.