Chapelle Saint-Ours circuit (no. 2)

Description

Easy circuit on small roads and forest tracks overlooking a glacial rock bar, the Rocher Baron. This short, easy route invites you on a discovery of the hamlets of Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières, in particular the hamlet of Sachas with its chapel and sundial. The descent to the hamlet of Prelles will take you past the Oratoire Saint-Ours (Saint Ursus in English), a sixth-century spiritual leader from the Valley of Aosta. The route starts at the La Rochette housing development. Take the narrow road leading towards Sachas. - At the intersection with a forest track, carry on along the narrow road leading up to Sachas - As you enter Sachas, the road turns into a forest track on which you carry on uphill - At the next intersection, ignore the track running uphill to the right and start to descend, continuing straight ahead - After the Oratoire Saint-Ours, stay on the main road which leads down to Prelles - When you come to a mountain stream, you will find a narrow road which you follow through the hamlet - At the cemetery, turn left and follow the track and the GR route - At the intersection with the road, pick up the route along which you climbed uphill and return to the starting point

Difficulty

Official rating: 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
• Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Getting there

Start: Parking de Prelles, Croisement D4-N94, Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières, Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/973526-VTT-N02---Circuit-de-la-Chapelle-Saint-Ours). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 292 m, Parc national des Écrins