See photos (3)

Pigeon loft loop in the cirque de Gioberney

in La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar
18.4 km
Loop
Walking/pedestrian
5h 15min
Quite difficult

  • At the deepest point of the Valgaudemar valley, this itinerary offers exceptional points of view of the mythical summits and their glaciers. They are condensed mountains!

  • « The French Himalayas ». It is in these words that the great mountaineer Gaston Rébuffat described the Valgaudemar. valley What more can one say ? Here, the verticality of the slopes can be oppressive. The summits touch the sky and can give you virtigo. Towards them, you gaze upwards slowly in order to see where they end. Oppressive, vertical, austere... but so strong, wild and fragile at the same time. Simply beautiful !
    Régis Jordana, park ranger at Valgaudemar
  • Tips
    The ascent to the refuge du Pigeon loft refuge is intense. Note that there is a short aerial passage, 20 minutes after the refuge.

    Is in the midst of the park : The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
    Herd protection dogs : In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.
  • Departure
    La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar
  • Difference in height
    2971.6 m
  • Departure : Gioberney Carpark.
    Arrival : Gioberney Carpark.
    Road access : At 26 km from Saint Firmin, on the D58, the D958a until La Chapelle en Valgaudemar then the D480t until the terminus, Gioberney carpark. .
    Parking recommended : Gioberney Carpark .
    Public transport : Shuttle from Saint-Firmin in the summer and a link with bus which comes from Gap and Grenoble. .
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
2972 meters of difference in height
  • Maximum altitude : 3420 m
  • Minimum altitude : 1637 m
  • Total positive elevation : 2972 m
  • Total negative elevation : -2899 m
  • Max positive elevation : 1719 m
  • Min positive elevation : -759 m