The Ailefroide loop
CCPE
Vallouise-Pelvoux

The Ailefroide loop

Fauna
Flora
Embed this item to access it offline

A pleasant circuit leading back to Ailefroide

Of course, it is possible to reach Ailefroide directly by car, but making your way there on foot makes your discovery of the area more interesting. Surrounded by high walls of granite, a paradise for climbers, this former alpine pasture hamlet has lost none of its charm, even without the houses that once stood here. Very lively in the summer, the village quietens down again at the end of August. 


Description

Waysigning: one green dot and one white dot

From the car park in Les Claux, follow the path to Ailefroide via Pra Chapel, which runs uphill just to the right of the penstock pipe. A short distance further up, the route crosses the pipe and continues along a lovely paved path edged by walls and stones. It passes close to the chalets of Le Serre and then Pra chapel, crosses an avalanche path (see recommendations) and comes to the chalets uphill from Ailefroide. 

  1. Take the road on the left to cross the bridge and start to descend again on this road, which runs right through the hamlet.
  2. Follow a narrow road which leads into the campsite and continues along a path which crosses the Celse-Nière mountain stream.
  3. After the footbridge, take the path on the left which joins the Ailefroide road further on. The path leads back down to the car park in Les Claux, cutting across the road several times.
  • Departure : Car park in Les Claux
  • Arrival : Car park in Les Claux
  • Towns crossed : Vallouise-Pelvoux

6 points of interest

  • L'usine des Claux
    L'usine des Claux - Office de tourisme Pays des Écrins
    Vernacular heritage

    The penstock pipe

    This penstock pipe carries water to the Le Claux hydroelectric power plant, located just below here, which exploits the water from the Les Écrins massif. The power plant was inaugurated in 1932. At the time, the electricity generated was primarily used to power the aluminium factory located in L'Argentière-La Bessée. 

  • Des feuilles de tremble
    Des feuilles de tremble - Marc Corail - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    The aspen

    The track runs close to an aspen wood. This tree has a smooth, greenish trunk and rounded, crenelated leaves which take on magnificent colours in autumn. The stem, or petiole, of aspen leaves is flat and twisted, so it can be caught by the slightest breeze making the foliage «quake» hence its common name, the quaking aspen. It grows in places where the soil is quite damp.

  • Ailefroide
    Ailefroide - Jan Novak Photography
    Top

    Ailefroide

    Formerly an alpine pasture hamlet, Ailefroide lies at the foot of Mont Pelvoux, surrounded by larch woods and granite cliffs. It is the last hamlet in the valley, at the confluence of the valleys of Saint-Pierre and Celse Nière. The name Ailefroide is thought to originate from the term Alpe froide or “cold Alp”, a reference to the lack of sun here in the winter. It is the starting point of numerous trails and is a paradise for climbers. Ailefroide is a legendary destination for mountaineers: a stele commemorates the conquest of Mont Pelvoux in 1828.

  • L'aigle royal
    L'aigle royal - Pascal Saulay - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The golden eagle

    A pair of eagles lives in the Ailefroide valley. Every pair has a very large hunting territory, which means there can be no more than one pair in a small valley of this size. This pair has built several eyries in the cliff walls around Ailefroide: just one is occupied every year, after a few refurbishments. The eyries are located at the lower altitudes of the hunting territory, so that the eagles can easily bring heavy prey back to the eaglet.

  • Mélèze en fleur
    Mélèze en fleur - Christophe Albert - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    The larch

    The symbol of the Southern Alps, this softwood tree loses its leaves in winter, and is swathed with gold and lights up the mountains in autumn. The larch forests are maintained by the grazing of flocks. Without them, other trees like the fir or other pine trees could grow, creating a different kind of forest. A pioneer species, the larch establishes freely in light conditions. Its solid rot-proof wood has always been used in the construction of houses.

  • La mésange boréale
    La mésange boréale - Mireille Coulon - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The willow tit

    A soft call, a series of short repetitive notes, is heard in the forest. It's the call of the willow tit, also known as the alpine tit. As for its plumage, it has a greyish brown back, beige underparts, a white head with a black cap and a little black bib, It lives in mountain forests. It is the double of the marsh tit, which tends to live below 1,400 metres. 


Forecast


Altimetric profile


Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Golden eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Golden eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Black grouse - winter

Impacted practices:
, Land
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprDec
Contact:

Black grouse - winter

Impacted practices:
, Land
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprDec
Contact:
Parc national des Ecrins - 0492402010

Recommandations

In the avalanche path, you have to cross a mountain stream (no footbridge) This mountain stream is relatively easy to cross, but it can swell in early summer due to snow melt, on days of heavy rain or after a storm. 

Exercise caution when crossing the road, in particular on the downward path.

Check weather conditions before setting off.

Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne (Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112 

Show consideration for the work of farmers, livestock keepers and owners

Close all gates behind you

Take your litter home

Do not take shortcuts across pastureland


Information desks

Vallouise Park house

, 05290 Vallouise

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/vallouise@ecrins-parcnational.fr04 92 23 58 08

Information, documentation, models, exhibitions, screenings, product sales and works of the Park. Guided tours for school, reservation required. The new Park House opened in Vallouise since June 1, and offers visitors an interactive permanent exhibition inviting to explore the area and its heritage. A temporary exhibition space will allow a renewed offer. Finally, the device is completed by an audiovisual room to organize screenings and conferences Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

Transport

Public transport >> www.pacamobilite.fr

Consider car-sharing >> www.blablacar.fr

For more information, ask at the Tourist Information Office nearest to the trail starting point. 


Access and parking

13.5 km from L'Argentière-La Bessée, take the D994E.

Parking :

Car park in Les Claux, just before the tunnel

More information


Source


Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here:


Trail news

  • Mobilité, bivouac et sentiers au menu de la journée Destination

    12/3/2024 - Depuis deux ans, le Parc national et les offices de tourisme des Écrins déploient un projet de destination écotouristique dans le massif. À l’occasion de la présentation officielle de la Destination parc national des Écrins, une journée d’échanges et de travail a été organisée le 29 novembre au Monêtier-les-Bains. Parmi les sujets abordés, les filières touristiques face au changement climatique dans le massif, la mobilité touristique, la gestion du bivouac et l’information sur l’état des sentiers et des accès au parc.

  • Automne et randonnée dans les Écrins

    10/8/2024 - Avec une végétation colorée et une lumière douce, l’automne est une saison de choix en montagne et certains randonneurs sont tentés de poursuivre leurs sorties dans le massif jusqu’à l’arrivée de la neige. Attention cependant à bien vous renseigner en amont : comme chaque automne, les passerelles enjambant les torrents sont en cours de démontage et les intempéries peuvent endommager les sentiers.

  • Concours photo sur le GR54 : les gagnants !

    10/7/2024 - Après quelques hésitations et pourparlers, le jury s’est décidé et a désigné les gagnants du concours photo organisé pour les 60 ans du GR54. Nous vous laissons découvrir ci-dessous les photos lauréates des deux catégories : « la plus belle photo » et « la photo insolite ». Merci à tous pour votre participation et bravo aux gagnants !

  • Le GR54 a fêté ses 60 ans

    10/7/2024 - En 1964, une poignée de passionnés de montagne créaient le GR du Tour de l’Oisans et des Écrins, plus connu sous le nom de GR54. 60 ans plus tard, les acteurs participant à son entretien et sa gestion, ainsi que plusieurs hébergeurs sur le GR, se sont donnés rendez-vous le 27 septembre dernier pour fêter cet anniversaire à Besse-en-Oisans.

  • Des dégâts sur les sentiers suite à la tempête Aitor

    9/30/2024 - Les reconnaissances menées vendredi 27 septembre 2024 ont révélé des dégâts sur les sentiers dans certaines vallées du massif des Écrins. Ils portent essentiellement sur des passerelles de franchissement de torrents. Les randonneurs sont appelés à la vigilance pour le week-end et au cours de la semaine du 30 septembre.