The Sentier des Pyramides - The Pyramids Path

Description

This trail forms a loop, passing through some very varied environments with beautiful views over the Lac de Serre Ponçon and over the mountain cirques of Bragousse and Morgon. «Near the path, there is a magnificent colony of several hundred Lady's-slipper orchids. But it is not the only orchid to be found along this route: Yellow coralroot, Common spotted orchid, Fragrant orchid, Lesser butterfly-orchid, Dark red helleborine can all be found here to the delight of orchid lovers» Bouche Michel, park ranger From the car park, beyond the water fountain (now protected by a grille, but it is possible to access the water lower down) follow a route marked by two red and yellow dashes. From the two belvederes you can admire the view over Embrun and over the cirque of the mountain stream Le Colombier, with its dolomite towers. Then, take the path running downhill to cross the mountain stream Le Colombier, before rising uphill through the forest again. Join the uphill track and follow it to the first sharp bend. Take the path running along the edge of the valley floor to the car park in Grand Clos. Then follow the Le Morgon route as far as the Portes de Morgon. Take one of the two paths on the left which join above the lake, so as to climb diagonally up the slope to the Col de la Baisse. The route is then marked by yellow dots on a white background. From the pass, it is possible to reach the Pic de Charance, making a there-and-back detour: allow 1 hour 30 minutes. (1h30) Take the path running along the hillside below the Pic de Charance, partly through the forest and a beautiful colony of alpine columbine. Finally, go down the path, avoiding the steeper forest tracks until you reach the Fontaine de l'Ours car park.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• The circuit can be completed in either direction, but it makes more sense to start with the Sentier des Pyramides and then to finish with the descent down the Sentier de Charance. By municipal order, dogs are not allowed in the Cirque de Morgon from 15 June to 15 July and from 15 August to 15 September.

Getting there

Start: Parking de la Fontaine de l'Ours (non accessible en hiver)., Crots (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/958398-Sentier-des-Pyramides). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 722 m, Parc national des Écrins