The Tourond pastures and refuge

Description

As soon as you arrive in the village of Les Borels, the trail unveils some of the history of pastoral farming. The history of the village of Champoléon is closely linked with pastoral farming. In autumn, Les Borels hosts the Tardon (lamb) Festival. The Shepherd’s House invites visitors to interpret pastoral culture and to understand its foundations. The pastoral narrative continues when the ewes are taken up into the mountains from Les Fermons in June to spend the summer on the rich and sunny slopes of the Tourond mountain pastures. From the Borels car park, cross the River Drac and follow the passable road up into the valley, cross a torrent and arrive at the D 472. Follow it for a few metres on the left, then at a crossroads with a contemporary cross (dated 2009), turn left to go up the path, then take the road as far as the village of Les Fermons. After the third bend, head to the left along the path running alongside the chapel and gradually make your way up to the Tourond refuge. The path looks down on the torrent, then gets closer to it as far as the crossroads with the path going up to Col de Venasque. Turn right into the winding path leading up to the refuge, which you will soon see above you. Go back the same way to reach the starting point.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Les Borels, Champoléon, Champoléon (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/905608-L-alpage-et-le-refuge-du-Tourond). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 417 m, Parc national des Écrins