The Collet de la Salcette (trail route no. 10)

Description

A beautiful trek first through forest and then rising to the bottom of the foothills of the Montbrison massif! “When you leave the forest and enter the rather hidden little valley, going past Les Tenailles, you almost feel as if you are at the end of the world. Then you come to the Collet de la Salcette and you feel as if you are on top of it!“ Marie-Geneviève,park ranger at the Parc National des Écrins From the Le Courounba campsite, head for Le Pont du Rif at the bottom end of the village of Les Vigneaux and, from here, follow the road towards Briançon. - 1.5 kilometres after leaving the village, take the path on the left leading to La Rourée and Bouchier. It leads uphill through a forest of Scots pines and oak trees before dropping gently and coming to a winding bend in the track leading to Bouchier. - Follow the path on the left leading directly below the hamlet. Turn right and carry on along a forested track, heading due north towards La Bletonnée along a flat uphill section. - After the few houses, take a steep path which follows the left-hand bank of the mountain stream La Combe, and crosses it further up. The slope becomes less steep and leads up through the north-facing combe to a grassy plateau where the Croix de la Salcette stands. - The descent is along a steep path following the southern ridge. - At a fork in the path, leave the ridge to descend directly to the right towards Le Périllas and Les Vigneaux. Lower down, the path comes to the pine forest again and culminates at the top end of the village. Make your way back to Le Pont du Rif and your starting point.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Before setting off, it is very important to check the opening periods for this route on the website: https://stationdetrail.com/fr/stations/le-pays-des-ecrins/parcours
• Share your photographs on social networks with #stationdetrailecrins
• 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
• The trail routes are also suitable for walking

Getting there

Start: Parking pont du Rif, Les Vigneaux, Les Vigneaux (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/958962-Trail-N10---La-Croix-de-la-Salcette). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,307 m, Parc national des Écrins