GR®54 – Tour de l'Oisans et des Écrins depuis La Grave, par le GR®54C et les variantes alpines

From La Grave, the Tour de l'Oisans et des Écrins begins its grand tour, at the foot of the majestic summit of the Meije, along the Romanche to its sources on the Villar d'Arène mountain pasture. Arriving at the Col d'Arsine, the spectacle is striking. The high mountain world invites you to visit the glacial lake of Arsine before beginning a long descent along the Petit Tabuc torrent to the Guisane valley and Monêtier-les-Bains. Objective: Vallouise via the Col de l'Eychauda and the peaceful chalets of Chambran. 8 kilometers of passable road along the Onde torrent and here is the Jas Lacroix mountain pasture. Crossing the Col de l'Aup Martin, the highest of the entire route, is always a highlight of the adventure, and the descent to the Pré de la Chaumette is just as sporty. To reach the Vallonpierre lake and the Valgaudemar, no fewer than three passes cut into the schist must be negotiated with caution. Along the Séveraisse, the trail reaches La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, where it leaves the main trail to gain altitude via a variant of the GR®54 on the upper reaches of the valley. From the Olan refuge, the view of the Valgaudemar peaks and their glaciers is breathtaking. The route rejoins the Souffles refuge, then the impressive Col de la Vaurze. Equally impressive is the descent to the wild Valjouffrey. The very green Col de Côte Belle contrasts with the schist landscapes encountered previously. Valsenestre, in the Béranger valley, is a welcome stop before setting off again for the final meanders. It's time for the vertical Col de la Muzelle, the gateway to the Vénéon. A long descent to Vénosc constitutes the second variation of the GR® where the route skirts the famous resort of Les Deux-Alpes on both slopes (Vénosc and Mont-de-Lans) and reaches the pretty village of Mizoen. The rest of the route climbs in altitude on the mountainside, along the large Chambon lake located below, to reach the refuges at the foot of the Emparis plateau. Above, the Souchet pass offers a five-star view of the Meije. Nearly 1000 meters of negative elevation gain allow you to reach La Grave to close this exceptional traveling loop.