La Brèche de Pacave
Crossing the Brèche or Pacave pass means making an incursion into the high mountains, the northern slope of the Meije, the mineral and glacial landscapes, with extraordinary views of the Emparis plateau, the Aiguille du Goléon and the Romanche valley.
From the La Grave Tourist Office (1470 m) take the national road for a few meters then go down to the left just after the fountain towards La Romanche. Cross it then take the path which goes up opposite just to the right of the Tabuchet torrent.
Arriving at the top of Lauzette at the end of the horizontal path, turn right and go down a few meters towards the footbridge which crosses the Abéous torrent.
Go back up the other slope and pass near the first large cable car pylon (P1).
Arriving near the Puy Vachier Supérieur chalets, turn right, pass under the cable car cables and continue the long crossing in the larch forest.
Join the path that goes up from the hamlet of Fréaux at a place called “Pierre Farabo” and continue straight on until you leave the forest. The path leads to Lac de Puy Vachier (alt. 2382 m) nestled in its stone setting, then just above to the Evariste Chancel refuge.
From the refuge go up due south and aim for the gap which cuts into the Pêyrou d'Amont crest: the barely visible path weaves between the blocks of rock and the patches of snow to reach the altitude of the gap.
Cross to the left horizontally and easily reach the pass (alt. 2840m). From the pass, locate the large moraine located in the valleys of the Meije : the descent will follow its crest. Go down the southern slope to reach a flat area and follow the path (poorly marked and steep) which joins the crest of the large moraine; follow it in its entirety to reach a flat area at its base (clos des sables alt. 2380m). We find the vegetation again.
Continue the descent through small larches and rhododendrons and arriving at the 1900 m coast, turn sharply to the right along a good path which leads to the torrent: cross it (footbridge) and on the other side follow the path which leads towards the chalet by Chal Vachère. Continue the descent on the right bank of the Abéous torrent and reach the good track at the top of Lauzette which leads back towards La Grave.
Go back into the village to reach the starting point of the route
Arriving at the top of Lauzette at the end of the horizontal path, turn right and go down a few meters towards the footbridge which crosses the Abéous torrent.
Go back up the other slope and pass near the first large cable car pylon (P1).
Arriving near the Puy Vachier Supérieur chalets, turn right, pass under the cable car cables and continue the long crossing in the larch forest.
Join the path that goes up from the hamlet of Fréaux at a place called “Pierre Farabo” and continue straight on until you leave the forest. The path leads to Lac de Puy Vachier (alt. 2382 m) nestled in its stone setting, then just above to the Evariste Chancel refuge.
From the refuge go up due south and aim for the gap which cuts into the Pêyrou d'Amont crest: the barely visible path weaves between the blocks of rock and the patches of snow to reach the altitude of the gap.
Cross to the left horizontally and easily reach the pass (alt. 2840m). From the pass, locate the large moraine located in the valleys of the Meije : the descent will follow its crest. Go down the southern slope to reach a flat area and follow the path (poorly marked and steep) which joins the crest of the large moraine; follow it in its entirety to reach a flat area at its base (clos des sables alt. 2380m). We find the vegetation again.
Continue the descent through small larches and rhododendrons and arriving at the 1900 m coast, turn sharply to the right along a good path which leads to the torrent: cross it (footbridge) and on the other side follow the path which leads towards the chalet by Chal Vachère. Continue the descent on the right bank of the Abéous torrent and reach the good track at the top of Lauzette which leads back towards La Grave.
Go back into the village to reach the starting point of the route
