The L’Argentière-la-Bessée green route ("Voie Verte")

Description

Set off on an exploration of two iconic worlds in the municipality of L'Argentière-la-Bessée. Ideal for the whole family, this very easy route takes you into the two worlds built in the past by L'Argentière-la-Bessée, and which continue to shape its history today. First, on the first part of the route you will discover the industrial history of L'Argentière-la-Bessée with its many now-historical sites as well as buildings still in use today. Then, along the second part of the route, the municipality's sports multiplex with its white water stadium which attracts crowds of people in the summer and stages annual competitions. The green route starts near the L'Argentière-la-Bessée information office ("Bureau d'Informations") and the public finance office, on the left-hand bank of the Durance, along a track laid out for pedestrians and mountain bikers. At the beginning of the trail, you can admire a nineteenth century vertical compressor, a historical tool of industry that is an immediate introduction to one of the themes you will encounter on the route. - Turn right and cross the pedestrian footbridge taking you to the right-hand bank of the Durance and the developed part of the town - Take the first left after the footbridge and continue straight ahead along a shared track. On your left, you can admire the municipal electricity system and, a few metres further on, the children's play area - At the end of the pedestrian track, continue straight ahead between two of the municipality's iconic historical industries. On their walls, you will also see information panels telling something of the industrial past of L'Argentière-La Bessée - After passing these historical buildings, head left and then right to join another pedestrian track following the right-hand bank of the Durance - Cross the pedestrian footbridge spanning the Fournel. You then leave the world of industry behind as you enter a world of sport with the presence of numerous sporting amenities, including the well-known white water stadium. - Go along the edge of the campsite on the banks of the Durance, until you come to the local road and a bridge, the Pont de Chancel - Turn back on yourself and follow the same route back to your starting point

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne (Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112
• Take your litter home

Getting there

Start: Bureau d’information touristique de L’Argentière-la-Bessée, L'Argentière-la-Bessée (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/966609-La-voie-verte-de-L-Argentiere-la-Bessee). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 32 m, Parc national des Écrins