The Ailefroide loop

Description

A pleasant circuit leading back to Ailefroide Of course, it is possible to reach Ailefroide directly by car, but making your way there on foot makes your discovery of the area more interesting. Surrounded by high walls of granite, a paradise for climbers, this former alpine pasture hamlet has lost none of its charm, even without the houses that once stood here. Very lively in the summer, the village quietens down again at the end of August. Waysigning: one green dot and one white dot From the car park in Les Claux, follow the path to Ailefroide via Pra Chapel, which runs uphill just to the right of the penstock pipe. A short distance further up, the route crosses the pipe and continues along a lovely paved path edged by walls and stones. It passes close to the chalets of Le Serre and then Pra chapel, crosses an avalanche path (see recommendations) and comes to the chalets uphill from Ailefroide. - Take the road on the left to cross the bridge and start to descend again on this road, which runs right through the hamlet. - Follow a narrow road which leads into the campsite and continues along a path which crosses the Celse-Nière mountain stream. - After the footbridge, take the path on the left which joins the Ailefroide road further on. The path leads back down to the car park in Les Claux, cutting across the road several times.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• In the avalanche path, you have to cross a mountain stream (no footbridge) This mountain stream is relatively easy to cross, but it can swell in early summer due to snow melt, on days of heavy rain or after a storm.
• Exercise caution when crossing the road, in particular on the downward path.
• 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: Parking des Claux, Vallouise-Pelvoux (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/962561-La-boucle-d-Ailefroide). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 300 m, Parc national des Écrins