Ring road

Description

This sporty route winds its way along a magnificent balcony path at the bottom of the wild Boscodon valley, under the eye of Pouzenc from its eyrie of 2898m. Due to major forestry work in the Grande Cabane area, this route will be inaccessible from 25 July 2023. After an ascent to the ring road criss-crossing the bottom of the Boscodon valley, alternating between unspoilt woodland and mountain pastures. With some vertiginous sections, pass under the impressive Pouzenc and Montagnette peaks before reaching the chapel and Lauzerot lake. - From the bridge at the grande cabane, head uphill through the barrier where you will immediately encounter a crossroads. Turn right to pass under the grande cabane. Stay on the slope uphill. - Veer right as you climb the path. After a steep climb under the larch trees, turn left at the crossroads onto the balcony path. Some passages are vertiginous and require extra care. When you reach a shepherd’s hut (La Pérouyère hut), pass it and continue along the balcony path. - At the junction, continue on the path for several kilometres until you return to a track. Continue to the right as far as Clos Besson. - Before the barrier take a left fork on a path towards the forest. Cross a footbridge and then 2 streams. When you reach a clearing, take a right fork downhill as you come to a track. Continue left, past the chapel and then Lauzerot Lake. On the track, turn right until you reach the starting point.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: La grande cabane, Crots, Crots (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/995600-Chemin-de-ceinture). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 822 m, Parc national des Écrins