GR®54 – Tour de l'Oisans et des Ecrins
Between Vallouise and the Col de l'Aup Martin, the floods of September 2024 washed away large sections of the road leading to the Entre les Aigues site, in the Onde Valley. Work is underway to restore pedestrian access. Until further notice, the
Starting from Bourg d'Oisans, the Tour de l'Oisans et des Ecrins begins its grand tour with handrails to reach its small hamlets clinging to the mountainside. It descends to the Sarenne torrent to climb back up to the pass, a viewpoint over the Monts de Lans. Then comes a descent to Clavans and the Ferrand valley followed by a beautiful climb to Besse-en-Oisans on the border of the vast 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 . Here you must continue 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. The objective is La Vallouise via the Col de l'Eychauda and the peaceful chalets of Chambran. Eight km 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 in Valgaudemar and gains altitude at Villar Loubière to the Souffles refuge and 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. Time for the vertical Col de la Muzelle, the gateway to the Vénéon. One last pass to reach the largest lake in Oisans, the Lauvitel, and here we are again in Le Bourg d'Oisans. The loop is complete!
The GR® 54 can be done from Bourg d'Oisans, L'Argentière, La Grave or any other hamlet located on the route.
The GR® 54 can be done from Bourg d'Oisans, L'Argentière, La Grave or any other hamlet located on the route.
