Oussella loop

Description

A pleasant family hike on a loop with a beautiful view over the Réallon valley. The climb begins in the cool of a beech wood, then a beautiful larch forest, before arriving at old hay meadows, testimony to past activities. The ruins of old mountain chalets are a reminder of life in days gone by in the mountains. When the path passes over a balcony, the landscape opens up to offer a wide view of the Réallon valley. From the car park, cross the bridge, and at the crossroads in the hamlet head up the road towards Chargès as far as the last house. - Take the path on the right towards Oussella - After the Marmite de Géant and the bridge, continue left towards l’ Oussella. Cross the waterfall stream and keep to the main path through the beech forest. After a few hairpin bends, at the end of the larch grove, cross the old hay meadows and a stream. Cross the ravine and the stream of La Pissarotte to reach the foot of another area of old meadows that you need to ascend (cairns and arrow). - Turn right and go as far as the crossroads (post), which is the end of the ascent and a viewpoint. Follow Les Gourniers via Le Villard. Pass the old alpine chalets and Fouents (viewpoint) and descend towards Le Villard. Head along the edge of the ravine to the post (right arrow). After the series of hairpin bends, turn right in the field before the drinking troughs, then left 50 metres further down (small arrow post). Head alongside the “rock hutch” and continue along small hairpins (cairns). Cross the coombe and join the Sentier du Fort. - Take the path on the right towards Les Gourniers. - When you reach the track, follow Les Gourniers to the right (red and white GR markings). - At the top of a rise, leave the track by continuing straight ahead (post with arrow). Stay on the GR until you reach the road back to the car park.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Parking des Gourniers, Réallon, Réallon (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/975026-Boucle-de-l-Oussella). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 414 m, Parc national des Écrins