From the Collette de Gilly to the foot of Pelvas
• Self-guided tour, 3 days
• Easy tour, children above 7 years old
• Altitude : 1760 to 2360 m (maxi)
• Departure and arrival in Le Roux
This three-day circuit is ideal for exploring the alpine pastures of the Urine valley with the family. This hike in a constantly changing setting with contrasting relief, takes you to the Collette de Gilly at an altitude of 2360 m, where you discover the panorama of the Guil valley and the surrounding peaks: the Tête du Pelvas, the Bric Bouchet, Bric Froid, Grand Glaiza, Pic de Rochebrune and the iconic Mont Viso. Your journey through the gentle relief of the Urine valley at the foot of the Pelvas will undoubtedly offer you a meeting with the local wild fauna (marmots, roe deer, ...). You then descend into the Bouchet torrent valley through the charming summer hamlet of Valpréveyre.
- Stages -
Day 1 : Le Roux (1760 m) - Clot de Besseys (2280 m) (Bivouac)
Elevation gain : 520 m - Elevation loss: faible - Distance : 4 km - Walking time : 2-3 hrs
You leave the Roux by the GR58 and you cross the Bouchet torrent to climb quietly in the pleasant coniferous forest of Brune wood and Black wood. After crossing the Estachons torrent, the GR58 branches off to the right to go up the steep slope along the torrent. Around 2250 m you arrive on the flat of Clot de Besseys where you can set up the bivouac for the night.
Day 2 : Clot de Besseys (2280 m) - Collette de Gilly (2360 m) - Under the col d'Urine (2330 m) (Bivouac)
Elevation gain : 130 m - Elevation loss : 80 m - Distance : 4 km - Walking time : 2 hrs
From Clot de Besseys you join the GR58 to the Collette de Gilly where you can admire the panorama over the Guil valley and the surrounding peaks. On the descent, take the path on the right which passes a small collar and allows you to join the GR58 towards the Col d'Urine. After passing the sheepfold under Roche, climb towards the pass and choose your bivouac place for the night.
Day 3 : Under the col d'Urine (2330 m) - Valpréveyre (1850 m) - Le Roux (1760 m)
Elevation gain : small - Elevation loss : 570 m - Distance : 6 km - Walking time : 3 hrs
For the return, follow the path on the right bank of the Urine stream which descends steadily into the larch. You reach the hamlet of Valpréveyre, uninhabited in winter and which has become a summer pasture, after crossing the torrent on a footbridge (beware, it can be slippery). At the exit of the hamlet, take the tarmac road then the balcony path which goes to the right and which brings you back to Le Roux via Les Mounets.
- Practical information -
The donkeys
* They are intended to carry your luggage. Gregarious animals, they will appreciate your company but also that of their fellows and beyond 3 people, it would be better to travel with 2 donkeys for the comfort and well-being of all.
* Their equipment : Each donkey is equipped with a halter, a lunge, a wooden packsaddle and 2 large bags hung on each side of the packsaddle. A donkey can carry 30 kg, that is the luggage of 2 to 3 hikers.
The load must be perfectly balanced (15 kg on each side). Above the animal, only light loads (mattresses, etc.) can be placed, in order to avoid exhausting or unbalancing it.
* Donkey food and night : in most lodges, a park is set up for donkeys and we provide the necessary equipment to tie them up at night.
Preparation for your hike
We advise you to arrive at Le Roux the day before your departure in order to get to know and prepare your hike (study of the route). Accommodation is possible at the Cassu gite, opposite our base camp.
On the morning of departure, allow at least one hour for the preparation of the donkey and the organization of luggage.
Period
This hike can be done from June to October. From 15 September, some accommodations (gîtes, refuges, camping) may be closed.
IGN map
This circuit appears on the IGN map (1/25000 th) 3637OT - Mont Viso, St VĂ©ran, Aiguilles, Queyras.
Accommodation
For this hike, no lodging in a gîte but bivouac under tent (equipment not provided).
Supplies
You must arrive with the necessary equipment for the duration of your stay. For the water, bring a water bottle per person and Micropur tablets.
Your luggage
In the Hautes-Alpes the climate is very contrasted: the heat of full sun during the day and surprising freshness at night.
So plan :
* walking shoes and light shoes for the evening,
* a change of clothes, a warm sweater, a hat for the sun,
* rainwear (waterproof poncho),
* water bottle, flashlight, notebook, pen, lighter, knife, string,
* pharmacy, protective cream and sunglasses,
* plastic bags to wrap the things in the bag (very effective in case of rain) and to bring your trash down,
* stove and kitchen equipment, tent and sleeping bag (if camping)
Your dog
According to regulations, your dog can accompany you on the trails of the Queyras Regional Natural Park provided that it is kept on a leash. After a period of adaptation and mutual observation, he will cohabit with the donkeys. However, it must be taken into account that this does not simplify the organization of your hike because it is sometimes difficult to manage everything at the same time: the donkey or donkeys, the children, the luggage, the map to follow the right path and... the dog ! Especially since it is sometimes necessary to keep away from the donkey with the dog on a leash and that there can be problems with the dogs that protect the flocks of sheep in the pastures. Dogs cannot sleep in the accommodation and, in general, a shelter is provided for them outside. Remember to let us know if you plan to hike with a dog.
Your car and various equipment
During your hike, your car stays in one of the car parks in the hamlet of Roux d'Abriès.
- Prices and contact -
It includes the rental of a donkey equipped with a packsaddle, a halter, a lunge and two saddlebags.
Your accommodation and the possible transport of donkeys must be paid in addition.
3 days with 1 donkey : € 195
For more information :
06 82 48 09 99 or anerousin@orange.fr
To book this stay, please download and complete our rental contract and attach a deposit of 30% of the amount.
Download a printable version of this hike (Pdf)