La boucle de Tirière

Description

This circuit will take you to the Tirière plateau, a pretty, alpine pasture zone with stunning views of the valley and the surrounding summits. In the summer, an early start means you will be able to witness the wakening of daytime animals. Birdsong, that is quite reserved at dawn, becomes more intense as the sun rises. Sometimes, as you climb up, a misty haze makes the larch trees look ghost-like. The outstanding landscapes from the plateau onwards, change from one moment to the next. The Sirac and the Rouies come out of the shade and become red, pink or even golden, depending on the light in the sky. From the Gioberney car park, follow the signs to "Tirière" on the cirque terrace. They lead to a footbridge over the stream. Follow the footpath that comes close to the Gioberney mountain hut (please do not disturb the shepherd). Between this hut and a small larch forest, a sign indicates that you should turn right to cross a second bridge over the stream. From there, another sign indicates "Tirière" to the left. Follow the path that heads through an area of large-leaved plants, before meandering through the larch trees and crossing over moors and pastures. At approximately 2000 m in altitude, follow the arrow that leads you to continue up further (follow the most obvious footpath and not the old mining path, which is not maintained and is high and dangerous). You will come to the "Tirière plateau", where the footpath, leading to the ruins of the Tirière mountain hut, is almost flat. The downward route quickly arrives at the edge of the plateau: the first bends are a little steep, but it then gets easier. Where the route meets another footpath, leading to the Pis mountain hut, turn right and follow the large bends that head down. After crossing a small glacial cross-cliff, take the Minister's footpath then turn right to get to the Minister's car park by means of a flat path. Cross the bridge over the stream that leads to the car park. Take the path indicated by an arrow that leads to the Bride's veil (voile de la mariée) waterfall. Follow the paved road for roughly thirty metres, after crossing the stream take the footpath to the left as shown by an arrow.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Before you reach the Tirière plateau be sure not to take the old mining path (high and dangerous), but follow the route indicated. After the Tirière mountain hut, be careful on the first part of the descent, particularly in wet conditions. At the Gioberney mountain hut, please respect the shepherd's peace and quiet.

Getting there

Start: Gioberney, La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/903490-La-boucle-de-Tiriere). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 679 m, Parc national des Écrins