Hiking in the wild Dévoluy (Hautes-Alpes)

Description

Long grassy valleys overhung by peaks with a mineral atmosphere, neverending alpine pastures, surprising reliefs and caves by tens punctuate this small massif nestled between the plateaus of the Vercors and the Écrins massif.

The atmosphere is wild and from each summit the hiker enjoys a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. The Dévoluy is a mountain range with reasonable altitude (peaks at 2800 meters max) and little frequented, and it is easy to get off the marked trails to travel the mountain like we want and satisfy our curiosity of hikers and naturalists.

For a little adventure perfume the stay is built in two parts: three days from a base camp which will allow you to discover the two main lines of ridges of the massif and a short two days raid which will make us cross on the west side to discover the superb circus of Jarjatte in Haut-Buëch.

If you wish to hike on other itineraries in the southern Alps, I also propose throughout the summer :

• the tour of Haute Clarée by its most beautiful lakes,
• a trek between Ubaye and Val Maïra,
• the haute route of the southern Écrins.

Program

D1: The ridges of the Plane.
A first day of warm-up in the heart of the Dévoluy massif. After a gentle climb in the pastures, the Plane Ridge reveals an exceptional panorama on the Rabou circus and the impressive east pillar of the Pic de Bure. This is an opportunity to get accustomed with the great landmarks of the massif and its special relief punctuated by natural stairs and caves, the famous chouroums. Deers and chamois are not rare in this end of the world and we have good chances to observe some!
Positive and negative altitude differences: 800 meters, 5 hours and a half of walking.

D2: The tour of Tête d'Oriol, the Priests and the Demoiselle.
The west cliff of Dévoluy is a long north-south ridge on which are the highest peaks (Obiou, Grand and Petit Ferrand). To reach this ridge, many parallel valleys compete for the title of the most beautiful route. The tour of Tête d'Oriol, very wild and off the marked paths offers to go through two in a great mineral atmosphere between chourums and small summits with evocative names. Animals surely and a discreet but superb flora, specific in the rocky scree, await us there.
D+ / D-: 850m, 5 hours and a half of walking.

D3: The gorges of Souloise and Pellafol canal.
A relaxing day with little difference altitude in the gorges of Souloise on the old canal Pellafol dug on the cliff. At the feet of the imposing Gillardes' cliff, the view is spectacular and there are many reasons to stop here! In addition to the built heritage, the natural heritage of the gorge is very rich and we will occupy part of the day. End of the hike in the middle of the afternoon and detour by Mère-Église, superb Romanesque church of the XI^th century, the oldest of the department, perched above the gorges!
D+ / D-: 200m, 4 hours of walking.

D4: The Charnier pass and the Jarjatte.
The first day of our raid towards the Jarjatte will take us through the Col de Charnier (2102m). The climb, in a long and mineral valley, typical from Dévoluy, under the great south slopes of Grand Ferrand does not lack of charm and contrasts with the nice perched  Lauzon lake which will welcome us for the picnic. Amazing view of the north of Buëch, Trièves and the south of Vercors. After a little restorative nap we will go down from pass to pass along the great pastures overlooking the plain of Jarjatte to join our cottage in the heart of a majestic circus!
D+: 700m, D-: 950m, 6 hours of walking.

D5: The pass and the Aiguilles valley.
Early departure for our second day of raid and fast ascent of the Col des Aiguilles overlooked by the imposing Tête de Garnessier and Haut-Bouffet. The view is great and the Aiguilles valley is a wonder, classic of the region, with very rich wetlands. The cascade of Saute-Aure and a nice downhill crossing bring us back to our point of departure.
D+: 850m, D-: 600m, 5 hours and a half of walking.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Full board ccommodation and reservation in lodge (picnic for lunch).
• Bearing of meals and overnight stays of the mountain leader.
• Transport to the departures of the hikes.

The price does not include

• Snacks.
• Personal expenses: drinks, aperitif...
• Liability, repatriation and cancellation insurance.
• Transport to and from the meeting place.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Accommodation in comfortable mountain lodgings.
• Dormitories or room for 3 to 5 people maximum, duvet or blankets provided. Hot showers.
• Meals cooked with local products, often organic, good and hearty. Picnic for lunch.

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