La Boucle des 3 Villards – n°7 Noir
We're getting to the heart of the matter of the big hiking and racing outing: 47 km for 3600m of elevation gain, that speaks for itself! We could call this loop “La Boucle des 3 Villards”.
Route No. 7 from the Oisans Trail Station – Villard Reculas reception base
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure / Arrival: Villard Reculas
Duration: 6h to 9h
Distance: 48 km
Maximum altitude: 2100 m
Minimum altitude: 780 m
Positive elevation: 3600 m
ROUTE
Take a left when leaving the Tourist Office towards Huez then the first left, the church alley. You then cross the historic village of Villard Reculas by the rue d'en haut. The first climb takes you towards the Pierre Ronde then towards Lachal by a path which overhangs the road. You join the road to pass the famous Pas de la Confession where a stop is highly recommended to admire the view of Bourg d'Oisans and the surrounding peaks.
Then take the path that goes down towards Ribot d'en haut then La Garde to find yourself at the foot of the famous 21 bends of the climb of Alpe d'Huez.
You then cross Le Bourg d'Oisans towards Vieille Morte to follow the cliffs of Pré Gentil towards the Cascade de la Pisse for 5km where the first vertical kilometer awaits you. 1m above the valley, Villard Notre Dame welcomes you, a charming village typical of Oisans that you will leave behind by taking the forest road. At the pass, turn right to head towards the Croix de Carrelet where the view is breathtaking, acrophobics move on. The descent to reach Villard Reymond is very technical and follows the water supply pipe. Villard Reymond allows you to refill your water right next to the town hall where a shaded mountain hut awaits you for a well-deserved break. A long descent then takes you to La Pallud, a hamlet of Ornon or you find the road downhill before taking the path on the left towards Puy d'Oulles.
It's then Oulles which welcomes you at the start of many paths towards Taillefer. The descent to bring you back to the Romanche valley is very technical but cool to allow you to recover a little. You then follow the Romanche river to cross the valley and reach the foot of the 2nd vertical kilometer which takes you back to Villard Reculas.
THE “LITTLE EXTRA”: The Carrelet Cross
A breathtaking view of the Grandes Rousses massif with a 360° panorama. Mandatory photo stop but be careful not to slip.
If you want to share this route with your family, arrange to meet them at the summit or at Villard Reymond for an unforgettable shared picnic.
Route created with the website tracedetrail.fr
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure / Arrival: Villard Reculas
Duration: 6h to 9h
Distance: 48 km
Maximum altitude: 2100 m
Minimum altitude: 780 m
Positive elevation: 3600 m
ROUTE
Take a left when leaving the Tourist Office towards Huez then the first left, the church alley. You then cross the historic village of Villard Reculas by the rue d'en haut. The first climb takes you towards the Pierre Ronde then towards Lachal by a path which overhangs the road. You join the road to pass the famous Pas de la Confession where a stop is highly recommended to admire the view of Bourg d'Oisans and the surrounding peaks.
Then take the path that goes down towards Ribot d'en haut then La Garde to find yourself at the foot of the famous 21 bends of the climb of Alpe d'Huez.
You then cross Le Bourg d'Oisans towards Vieille Morte to follow the cliffs of Pré Gentil towards the Cascade de la Pisse for 5km where the first vertical kilometer awaits you. 1m above the valley, Villard Notre Dame welcomes you, a charming village typical of Oisans that you will leave behind by taking the forest road. At the pass, turn right to head towards the Croix de Carrelet where the view is breathtaking, acrophobics move on. The descent to reach Villard Reymond is very technical and follows the water supply pipe. Villard Reymond allows you to refill your water right next to the town hall where a shaded mountain hut awaits you for a well-deserved break. A long descent then takes you to La Pallud, a hamlet of Ornon or you find the road downhill before taking the path on the left towards Puy d'Oulles.
It's then Oulles which welcomes you at the start of many paths towards Taillefer. The descent to bring you back to the Romanche valley is very technical but cool to allow you to recover a little. You then follow the Romanche river to cross the valley and reach the foot of the 2nd vertical kilometer which takes you back to Villard Reculas.
THE “LITTLE EXTRA”: The Carrelet Cross
A breathtaking view of the Grandes Rousses massif with a 360° panorama. Mandatory photo stop but be careful not to slip.
If you want to share this route with your family, arrange to meet them at the summit or at Villard Reymond for an unforgettable shared picnic.
Route created with the website tracedetrail.fr
