in kilometres, to match maps and signposts in France. One mile equates to 1.6km.
Total ascent and descent: the total ascent is the aggregate of all the altitude gain on the uphill sections of the walk. Total descent is the aggregate of the height losses on the downhill sections. Ascent and descent are measured in metres. As a rule of thumb, a fit walker climbs 300–400m in an hour.
Maps: each walk contains a sketch map: these are indicative only and are no substitute for the detail on the full 1:25,000 scale sheet maps. The correct map for each walk is highlighted in the walk description. You are less likely to get lost or take a wrong turning if you use the recommended maps (see ‘Maps’).
Signposting: yellow signposts giving time or distance to a specific destination are common and tend to be quite reliable. Painted red and white stripes on rocks and trees are sometimes used as waymarks. If you see a cross painted on a rock or a tree then this generally means that you are going in the wrong direction. Plastic ‘VTT’ signs nailed to trees are for mountain biking routes – take care as mountain bikes move quickly and any collision between walkers and a mountain bike is likely to have serious consequences. The VTT (Vélo Tout Terrain) route may or may not be along the same route as you need to follow so don’t rely these signs as your own waymarks.
GPS coordinates: each walk description includes coordinates for the starting point. Occasionally, within the route description, coordinates are also provided for junctions which are tricky to locate. These coordinates are given in the UTM-WGS84 format used by the IGN maps. For Suunto watches set your position format to ‘UTM’.
Signposts at Col de l’Oule (Walk 34)
CLARÉE VALLEY
Larch trees resplendent with autumn colours in the Clarée Valley (Walk 2)
WALK 1
Col de Dormillouse
| Start/finish | La Draye near Val-des-Prés (1400m, UTM 32T 316871 4980684) |
| Distance | 14km |
| Ascent/descent | 1100m |
| Grade | Hard |
| Time | 5hr 30min |
| Maximum altitude | 2445m |
| Map | IGN 3536OT Briançon (1:25,000) |
| Refreshments | None |
| Access | From Briançon take the N94 towards Montgenèvre. After a few kms take the D994 left (N) up the Clarée Valley towards Névache. N of Val-des-Prés, after the bridge at the hamlet of la Draye, there is a large car park on the left. |
A beautiful foray into the high alpine pastures of the Clarée Valley, where sheep have grazed for centuries. The walk climbs through pristine forest to a classic hanging valley before reaching the lovely Col de Dormillouse, where the views are spectacular. Route finding can be tricky for the first hour as there are a number of interconnecting paths. At the time of writing, recent landslides in the Ravin de la Lauze have buried some small sections of path and a little scrambling over rocks was required to locate the path again. Helpfully, a few cairns had been placed to assist with navigation in these areas. Care should be taken approaching the Ravin des Fournéous as the path is a little unstable in places.
The descent passes historical alpine farmers’ huts and cabins. These huts provide a fascinating insight into the conditions endured by the shepherds of times gone by, whose pastures were made famous by Emilie Carles’ autobiography, A Wild Herb Soup (1977), describing the plight of local farming communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries (see box below).
From the NE side of the car park, follow the signposts to ‘Grotte de Cinquante Anes’ and ‘Dormillouse’. Cross the road and follow a track on the other side, heading E towards a yellow signpost. At the signpost turn left (‘Grotte de Cinquante Anes’) and follow a small path to the N which runs parallel to the road. After 10min, the path meets a faint track – turn right. There are some yellow waymarks to guide you.
Eventually, the path starts to head away from the road – continue N to arrive at the Ravin de la Pinatelle (35min). Cross the ravine in a NE direction and continue on a path on the other side. Shortly after the ravine, at a track, turn right, uphill (E). Where the track bears back around to the N, ignore a faint track on the right. Shortly afterwards, ignore a path on the left and continue to climb up the track.
When the track meets the ravine again (at what appears to be a dead end), turn left to follow a small path heading up to the left (N) – the start of the path is concealed behind some bushes and is a little tricky to locate. The path zigzags up the slope and just below a large needle shaped rock formation arrives at a junction of paths: turn right to continue uphill (SE). The path soon arrives back at the ravine and here the path splits – keep right to climb parallel to the ravine for a few moments. The path then crosses the ravine to pick up a path on the other side, heading S.
Shortly after crossing the ravine, the path bears around to the left – ignore a faint path here to the right heading S. Yellow waymarks will confirm that you are on the correct route. After 5min, arrive at another junction of paths – keep straight ahead (S) still following yellow waymarks.
Eventually, the path arrives at a fork and two signs (2hr): turn left, following a sign for ‘Dormillouse’ up the N side of the Ravin de la Lauze. As you climb, the views into the Clarée Valley become better and better. Watch your footing as the rocky path is narrow and unstable in places.
Where the path meets the base of the ravine and disappears, head straight up the N edge of the ravine (following cairns) and after a minute find the path again on your left (heading W). After another 5min, ignore a path on the left by a cairn and keep straight ahead (E), following yellow waymarks.
Where the path meets a little ravine, cross over and scramble up the other side towards a cairn. At the time of writing, there had been a small landslide here making the path tricky to follow. From here on, the rocky path becomes hard to follow in places so concentration is essential.
Where the path arrives at a junction of faint paths (3hr), turn left, signposted ‘Col de Dormillouse’. Red waymarks guide you here. Soon the path leaves the grass to climb initially W up a rocky slope. The path zigzags up the face of the slope until finally, it passes below a rocky outcrop and then proceeds N to Col de Dormillouse (2445m, 3hr 30min). The magnificent views extend to the N down the Vallon de l’Opon and to the E and S you can gaze up to the jagged lines of the Crête de la Lauze. The col is flanked to the W by the Crête de Pécé and to the E by the Pic du Lauzin.
The view N from the Col de Dormillouse
You are on the GR5 here and, should you be feeling particularly energetic, you could follow it to the SE up to the Col de la Lauze. From there you could follow the ridge to the S to the
