Around Les Vigneaux and Grand Parcher

Description

Between cool north-facing slopes and warmer sun-exposed slopes, a loop offering contrasting ambiances between the village of Les Vigneaux and the hamlet of Grand Parcher! Standing on an alluvial cone, like numerous villages in the valley, the hamlet of Le Grand Parcher is a little haven of peace. Take the time to stop and admire its little chapel, with the communal oven alongside it. You can also enjoy the fresh, calm atmosphere when you make a short stop at the water fountain of La Ruinette. Waysigning: one green dot and one white dot At the far end of the village, take the level path leading off towards the village of Les Vigneaux. - After the cemetery in Les Vigneaux, cross the Briançon road (take care, busy road) and take a narrow road on the right heading towards the centre of Les Vigneaux village. - After the church, as you head towards the communal oven, take a path leading from the back of a small car park. A little further on this joins a road. Cross the bridge over the mountain stream Le Rif, turn right and then left and continue straight ahead until you come to the district of Rif Cros. - Take the path for Les Parchers. - In Grand Parcher, go down a narrow road until you come to the D944E. Cross the road. Cross the Gyronde and after the bridge take the track on the left leading towards a campsite, the Camping des Vaudois. At the campsite, head towards the small lake and take a path which leads into a small wood. - Cross the road leading uphill to Puy Saint-Vincent and take the narrow road opposite which is the access to the Camping des Vaudois. It runs along and above the right-hand bank of the river. Follow this as far as the Camping des Vaudois and continue straight on until you come to a bridge, the Pont du Grand Pré. After the bridge, take a narrow road leading up towards La Bâtie des Vigneaux.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Take care when crossing the D994E below Les Vigneaux and Grand Parcher.
• There are several recommended starting points:
• - La Bâtie des Vigneaux - The bridge over the Gyronde in Grand Parcher - Le Pont du Rif in Les Vigneaux
• This route can be split into two loops:
• - Loop 1 Les Vigneaux:
• After crossing the mountain stream Le Rif, turn left and head downhill until you come to the D994E Cross the road, go across the bridge and then turn left just at the other side of the bridge towards the Camping des Vaudois (waysigning: green and white dot, "Boucle 1 des Vigneaux").
• - Loop 2 Between Parapin and Gyronde:
• Starting from the bridge over the Gyronde in Grand Parcher:
• (waysigning: green and white dot, "Boucle 2 Entre Parapin et Gyronde"). Pass over the Gyronde and on the other side of the bridge take the track on the left leading towards the Camping du Courounba. After the campsite, continue straight ahead until you come to the Pont du Rif. At the Pont du Rif (you can also start the route here), go across the bridge, cross the D994E, go past the bakery and take a narrow road leading off to the left just before the bridge over the Rif. This leads up to the top of the village. Further up, follow the right-hand bank of the mountain stream for a short distance and then turn left and continue straight on until you come to the district of Rif Cros. Take the path leading to Les Parchers.
• Check weather conditions before setting off.
• Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne (Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112
• Show consideration for the work of farmers, livestock keepers and owners
• Close all gates behind you
• Take your litter home
• Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Getting there

Start: La Bâtie des Vigneaux, Les Vigneaux (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/962594-Autour-des-Vigneaux-et-de-Grand-Parcher). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 253 m, Parc national des Écrins