What hikes to do in Serre Chevalier this summer?
Discover the most beautiful routes in Serre-Chevalier, in the heart of the Southern Alps. There are itineraries for all tastes, for families as well as for more experienced hikers. The opportunity this summer to walk while discovering sumptuous landscapes which abound in a particularly rich fauna and flora.4 TIPS FOR EQUIPPING YOURSELF FOR HIKING:
- Good shoes for good walking: opt for walking shoes with good thick, notched soles to absorb shocks and avoid slipping on wet surfaces or steep slopes.
- Bonus for children: take hiking boots that support the ankles well for better stability;
- Warm and dry: take a waterproof and warm garment such as a waterproof jacket that you can easily store. In the mountains, weather conditions change rapidly and temperatures are cooler at altitude.
- An aid to effort: take walking sticks with you to accompany you throughout your hike. They will give you better stability, especially when the difference in altitude is significant. Your children will love this accessory which will help them learn to walk in the mountains.
- Optimise the journey with your baby: take a baby carrier that is comfortable for both your back and your baby. During a long walk, you will both be more serene for a more pleasant stroll.
ZOOM ON MY HIKING BACKPACK :
- Take water: it is essential to stay well hydrated throughout your hike when you make a physical effort. Take at least 1 litre of water per person.
- Take a snack with you: what a great reward when you reach the highest point of your hike to be able to have a good snack and regain your strength. We advise you to choose foods such as cereal bars, compotes or dried fruit, which are good allies in giving the whole family energy!
- Protect yourself from the sun: take sunglasses, they will be your best allies to observe the fauna and flora during your hike. Also take sun cream with a minimum of SPF 30. At altitude the sun is strong, it would be a pity to come back from your hike with sunburns as souvenirs. For your children: protect your little ones as well as yourself with sunglasses and sunscreen and don't forget to take a hat or a cap.
- Anticipate first aid: when hiking, we are not safe from a small fall or an insect bite. Prepare a first aid kit with at least a disinfectant solution, compresses and bandages and something to relieve the pain. Ideally take with you what you need to treat insect bites, especially if you have allergic reactions.
- Prepare your itinerary and your souvenirs: before going on a hike, prepare your itinerary on a map that you can also have on your smartphone. In this case, be sure to save the file on your phone, as you may not be able to get a signal at altitude. Take your camera (or smartphone) and binoculars to observe the mountain and the richness of the local flora and fauna. You will bring back beautiful memories.
THE MUST-DO HIKES IN SERRE CHEVALIER
LAC DE L'OULE - EASY ITINERARY - DURATION ABOUT 2H30 ROUND TRIP AND 8 KM
From Saint-Chaffrey, follow the road up to the Col du Granon where you can park. At the exit of the car park, you will find the starting point of the hike towards the Lac de l'Oule via the GR 7. You will take the same route on the way there and on the way back.
The reward at the end of this hike is considerable. Discover a 360° view over the valley, the resort and the surrounding peaks: the Meije and the Barre des Ecrins.
LE GRAND LAC OR TOUR DES ARÊTES DE LA BRUYÈRE - MEDIUM DIFFICULTY - 9 KM
A hike starting from the Pont de l'Alpe where you can park. During the summer season this place is famous and therefore very busy. Start your hike via the GR50 by following the torrent of the Rif to the Chalet de l'Alpe. Once you have arrived at this point, you have 2 options for this hike:
Option 1: for more experienced hikers: starting from the left side, you will cross the torrent to reach the pastures. The difference in altitude is then quite steep, and you will have to show your dexterity to cross the "chimney" equipped with a 40-metre cable that allows you to access the Grand Lac nestled at an altitude of over 2200 metres.
Option 2: for the whole family: go to the right and approach the torrent to get around the Bruyère ridges. Once you have crossed a small pass, the Grand Lac will be yours!
Here again, the view is breathtaking and you may come across ibexes lurking nearby. Don't forget your binoculars, they will be your best allies to get closer to the ibex.
For the return journey, as you may feel tired, we advise you to take the option 2 route, which is more suitable for a safe return.
LES CRÊTES DE PEYROLLE - FOR GOOD WALKERS - 13 KM
Are you looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the most beautiful peaks of Serre Chevalier and more generally of the Briançonnais? Opt for this hike, you will discover a superb view of the Ecrins and the Cerces. The path is the same on the way up and on the way back.
To start, at the observatory, follow the route towards the Grand Meyret and then the Crêtes de Peyrolle. All along your walk, you will be able to admire vestiges of the region's history.
This hike can sometimes be quite vertiginous with narrow passages but the view of the Clarée valley and the Ecrins glacier is exceptional.