Loop 53 - Les Fontainiers

Description

A pretty mountain-style loop on the upper section, which can be combined with the Pinées route. Springs, fountains, canals.... are abundant on this loop and bear witness to a past when there was no tap at home. The Fontainier was responsible for maintaining these structures for the benefit of the villagers. This Gravel loop is the short version of the Balcons du Mont Guillaume from Châteauroux les Alpes. - Just after Châteauroux-les-Alpes town hall, turn left up rue sainte-Irénée (D663). At the cemetery, skirt it to the right, past Les Pins camp-site and continue along the main road. Go straight on at Chapelle Saint-Roch. At Les Rozans, climb the steep slope to the right, then take the less steep road to the left. - At the Gérards intersection, turn right towards Route de la Serbie (DFCI G83). - Once you reach the hairpin, turn left into the undergrowth to follow the official Tour de Serre-Ponçon Gravel route. Take two left turns down the less steep options. Then turn right at the edge of the wood onto the path on the right, which is carpeted with pine needles. /!\ Several short sections with roots and stones. - After the houses, continue to the right on the less visible flat track. Above Les Barthelons, descend to the left, then take the first right onto the road. After the hamlet, turn left towards the centre of Embrun. - At the bend (D465) then at the Caléyère washhouse, ascend the road to the right. Then stay on the main uphill track. - At the road (marked GR) turn right then left towards Mont Guillaume forest 5km. Then turn right up the track towards the electricity pylon (you can stay on the road for a gentler slope) and turn right again. - At the Porte de la Forêt car park, take the route forestière des Fontainiers opposite. At the Route forestière du Bosquet, keep right (DFCI track G82). - Before the steep climb, take the path on the right towards Châteauroux 9 km. /!\ The descent is quite steep. Join the track under the larches and descend to the right. Stay on the main road until you reach the hairpin, then /!\ watch your speed. - At the hairpin, return to Châteauroux along the same road on the left.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Châteauroux les Alpes, Châteauroux-les-Alpes (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/996153-Boucle-53---Les-Fontainiers). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,012 m, Parc national des Écrins