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Tour de I’Olan, 6-day Hut-to-hut hiking tour in the Écrins National Park (South of France)
Join Pierre, an IFMGA-certified guide, on this hut-to-hut hiking tour around the Olan, in the Écrins National Park, starting from La Berárde in southern France.
Highlights
Discover the untouched landscapes and natural beauty of the Écrins
Enjoy a hut-to-hut hiking tour staying in authentic mountain refuges
Get spectacular views and learn basic mountaineering skills
Description
Join us on this amazing 6-day hut-to-hut tour around the Olan (3564m), a mythical mountain at the heart of the Écrins National Park, in south-eastern France. This is an ideal tour for hikers looking to discover the world of high mountains while learning basic mountaineering techniques.
The Écrins National Park is a beautiful protected area, boasting enchanting valleys, high peaks, alpine pastures, woodlands and lakes. During these days you will discover the pristine natural beauty of this region in France.
We will start from La Bérarde, a remote hamlet of Oisans and Vénéon, an historical mountaineering place at the foot of La Meije and Olan. Then we will hike through Valgaudemar via the Gioberney pass and return to Oisans via the Olan breach, at an altitude of 2970 meters. On these alpine passages, a high-mountain guide will assist us.
You will rewarded with plenty of time to enjoy beautiful views, contemplating unique landscapes, hiking on high mountains and practicing easy mountaineering techniques during six days. You can check the day-by-day itinerary below.
This is an intermediate level hiking tour, although you need some previous experience on high altitude trekking. Join us and prepare yourself for a smooth transition between hiking to mountaineering!
If you want to come with us on this unique hut-to-hut hiking tour, just contact us and book your place! Get ready for an amazing trek in the Écrins National Park.
We also offer many other great hiking, mountaineering and ski trips in the Écrins area. Check them out!
Accommodation Full board dormitory in mountain huts, except for the night of day 4 in a gite. |
More info Equipment: 40-liter backpack containing personal belongings for alpine touring itineraries with picnics provided. Backpack 40 liters Cramponable high mountain shoes Helmet, crampons + antibotte, ice ax, shoulder belt Hiking shorts and pants Hiking socks T-shirt (microfiber type recommended) Warm jacket (fleece type) or sweater Waterproof jacket (Gore Tex type or equivalent) Poncho Hat and gloves Good quality sunglasses and sun protection (lip stick, sunscreen) Cap Earplugs for the nights A bottle of 1.5 L and a knife Small personal pharmacy kit |
Meeting point At La Meije hostel, La Bérarde, at 10am |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: La Bérarde (1700m) - La Pilatte Refuge (2577m) (10 km with 900m +, 4 hours of walking)
Meeting at 10H00 at La Meije Inn La Bérarde. This stage takes us through the right bank of the Vénéon river before passing to the left bank, at the bottom of the valley, for the final climb towards La Pilatte hut, where we spend the night.
Day 2: La Pilatte Refuge (2577m) - Dovecote Refuge (2425m) - Refuge des Souffles (1984m)(7 kms / 950m+ /1200m - / 6H00)
On this alpine stage we will travers the Gioberney pass at 3238 m. Night at the Pigeonnier refuge.
Day 3: Dovecote Refuge (2425m) - Refuge des Souffles (1984m) (14 km /1400m+ / 1300- / 6H00)
We descend to the the Gioberney chalet hotel where a taxi will lead us to La Chapelle en Valgaudemar. From the Chapel, we will pass the Col des Colombes at an altitude of 2400 m, along the Lautier Lake, before we pass the Col de Clochettes (2183 m) to reach the Refuge des Souffles. The walk will take variants of the GR 54, Grand Tour des Ecrins or Tour de l’Oisans. Night at the Refuge des Souffles.
Day 4: Refuge des Souffles (1984m) - Le Desert in Valjouffrey (1250m) (11 km /600m+ /1300m- / 4H30)
This stage follows exclusivley the the GR 54 route and will be embellished with the passage of the Col de la Vaurze, before beginning a descent in Lauzes. Overnight at a gîte at the Desert in Valjouffrey.
Day 5: Le Désert en Valjouffrey (1250m) –Font Turbat Hut (2169m) (9 kms / 900m+, 3H00)
The hike will follow the old Charmettes channel staying, at the left bank of the Bonne. Night at Font Turbat Refuge.
Day 6: Font Turbat Hut (1984m) – Champhorent (1600m) (13 kms /1000m+ /1500m- / 6H30)
Today we will pass the Olan breach (2970m) with a mountain guide. A long descent in the Muande valley will lead us to Champhorent via La Lavey refuge. A shuttle will take us back to La Bérarde to pick up our cars. End of our hiking tour!
About the guide
Former ski resort manager, my passion for mountain wilderness has led me to become a Guide 20 years ago. Since then, I have had the same pleasure guiding to iconic summits. As La Bérarde Guides' office President, Les Ecrins are among my favorite destinations for skiing, climbing and moutaineering all year around.
I will enjoy very much guiding you in a matter of discovery, pedagogy and security on the highest summits in the Alpes. Look forward to meeting you !
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Prices per person
Group of 1 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 2 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 3 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 4 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 5 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 6 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 7 | EUR 1093 each |
Group of 8 | EUR 1093 each |
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Price includes
• Guiding fee
• Accommodation
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Price details
• A minimum of 4 people is required for this tour. The price includes: full board from the evening of the first day, hiking supervision by a certified mountain professional, high-mountain guide supervision for days 2 and 6 (at the Col du Gioberney and the Brèche de l’Olan), tourist taxes. Breakfasts and dinners are taken in huts and in gites, picnics out of the bag // The price does not include: beverages, cancellation and repatriation insurance, transport to the meeting point, personal equipment. pic nic on the first day.
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