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WALK 9

Refuge de Vallonpierre (2280m: 7480ft)

Start	Ref. du Pré de Chaumette (1790m: 5873ft)
Valley base	Valgaudémar
Distance	13km (8 miles) to hut
Total ascent	1253m (4111ft)
Descent	763m (2503ft)
Time	4¾hrs
Map	Rando Éditions Carte de Randonnées ‘Écrins’ 1:50,000

Refuge de Vallonpierre is idyllically set on the north shore of a small tarn. For walkers based in the Valgaudémar, one path approaches it via Refuge du Clot (Ref. Xavier-Blanc), another starts at a parking area below Chalet-Hotel du Giobernay. These approaches are shorter than that described below, but this particular walk is suggested as a way of linking this hut with Refuge du Pré de Chaumette along the route of the Tour de l’Oisans (GR54). It’s a magnificent trek, with three cols to cross and an ever-evolving set of landscapes in view.

GR54 sets off NNE into the Vallon de la Pierre, a corrie headed by Pointe de Verdonne and le Sirac, their cliffs rising out of a rough boulder-pocked pasture. The path is a good one and it gains height steadily at first, then in long zigzags to mount the western slopes. The first col of the day can be seen almost an hour before you reach it, and as progress is made, hands are needed on a few brief scrambling sections, followed by thin ledges – quite safe but demanding caution. Col de la Vallette (2668m) is gained about 2¼hrs after setting out; views show steeply-plunging mountainsides, curving ridges with long scree chutes, green meadows and the twisting scar of the continuing path leading to the next pass, Col de Gouiran, to the northwest.

The path angles to the right, then zigzags down a very steep slope where for about 10mins caution is called for, especially with a large rucksack; balance is essential and a trekking pole would be helpful. Eventually the way eases and you reach a green meadow with a small pool. Soon the trail rises again and twists up to Col de Gouiran (2597m) in a little under an hour from the previous col. Like its predecessor this is a bare, windswept saddle looking onto bare mountains, and when you leave, the path descends to the northwest round the head of a corrie, crossing little streams and slithering on grit, before twisting up an eroded hillside to the third and final pass, Col de Vallonpierre (2607m), gained about 3¾hrs after leaving Chaumette.

This is on a very narrow ridge, and the descent from it is steep, the path slender in places and with a couple of nasty steps, but not as bad as the descent from Col de la Vallette. Views which have been impressive throughout, become even better as you go down to Lac de Vallonpierre and the hut, reached about an hour from the col.

The original Refuge de Vallonpierre

Refuge de Vallonpierre (CAF) stands a few paces from its predecessor. It has 39 places, and meals provided when the guardian is present – mid-June to mid-Sept. Booking is obligatory (Tel: 04 92 55 27 81, email: clubalpin.gap@wanadoo.fr)

Follow GR54 north down to la Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar in 4hrs, or take a contouring path NNE to Refuge de Chabournéou in a little under 2hrs.