The Grande Traversée des Hautes-Alpes (GTHA) in the Pays des Écrins
GTHA
GTHA - Thibaut Blais
Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières

The Grande Traversée des Hautes-Alpes (GTHA) in the Pays des Écrins

Fauna
Flora
History and architecture
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A sensational circuit which crosses the territory of the Pays des Écrins from north to south.

The GTHA is the highest medium-altitude mountain bike route in France. It starts in La Grave-Villar d'Arène and ends in Laragne-Montéglin, thus taking you through 50 kilometres of the territory of the Pays des Écrins. Along the way you will get to know the territory and its communities through its remarkable landscapes and heritage. So, all you need to do is jump on your bike and set off on the adventure.
For more information on the GTHA itinerary, visit the Département des Hautes-Alpes website .


12 points of interest

  • La calamagrostide argentée
    La calamagrostide argentée - Denis Fiat - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    Achnatherum calamagrostis or silver spike grass

    This member of the Gramineae family (now called Poaceae) forms large clumps on stony, dry and sunny ground. It grows in abundance here on the track embankment, taking advantage of the sunlight allowed through by the break in the forest. Its inflorescences reflecting silvery-gold glints are made up of flowerets with long edges. They create a very misty effect in the late summer when the plant is mature, forming large shimmering bouquets in the evening sunlight. . 

  • Aigle royal
    Aigle royal - Pascal Saulay - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The eagles of the Tête d'Aval

    Eagles can be seen gliding around the Tête d'Aval. In the hottest part of the day, they circle on the thermals rising above the limestone cliffs. Having gained height in this way, they can reach their hunting territory without having to flap their wings. 

  • Le four banal des Vigneaux
    Le four banal des Vigneaux - Office de tourisme Pays des Écrins
    Vernacular heritage

    The communal oven

    Legend has it that the Lord caused a communal oven to be built and kept it maintained. The local people could use this oven in exchange for the payment of a levy. Families would prepare and knead their own dough at home and then bring it to the oven for baking. Names were drawn by lot to establish their turns. 

  • Eglise des Vigneaux
    Eglise des Vigneaux - Blandine Reynaud - PDE
    History

    The village of Les Vigneaux

    In spite of the altitude, the region's dry climate and the local growing conditions of limestone and sediments facing due south made the planting of grapevines possible as far back as the tenth century. The municipality owes its name to the presence of these vineyard operations, which were very significant in the late nineteenth century. The almost simultaneous appearance of the phylloxera aphid and the Briançon train, bringing wine from Provence, spelled the end of this activity here.

  • Les mines d'argent
    Les mines d'argent - Thibault Blais Photographie
    Vernacular heritage

    The silver mines

    The path passes close to the silver mines which gave L'Argentière its name (argent meaning "silver"). They were first worked in the early Medieval period and later abandoned before exploitation resumed again in the nineteenth century. They were finally closed in 1908. Since 1992, the site has been the subject of archaeological excavations, with major work to clear materials carried by the Fournel when in flood. They can be visited with a guide (by appointment), leaving the visitor in awe: how much ingenuity has been involved in extracting the silver-bearing galena!
  • Canyoning - Fournel
    Canyoning - Fournel - Jan Novak Photography
    Water

    The Fournel

    The Fournel mountain stream gives generously. Its water makes up a large proportion of the town's drinking water, supplies the irrigation canals, is used for hydropower and offers a recreational area valuable to the local economy in the form of its canyon, located in the gorge connecting it to the Durance. Being a mountain stream, it is impetuous, but sills have been built lower down and it has been dammed to prevent natural disasters. Numerous mountain streams have received the same treatment…

  • Chardon bleu
    Chardon bleu - Jan Novak
    Flora

    The blue globe thistle

    The Fournel valley is well known for having the biggest colony of blue globe thistles in the Alps. This colony is growing in Les Deslioures, at the end of the road. But there are other colonies in the valley, like this one. Because this rare species is adapted to high-mountain hay meadows, agro-environmental measures have been introduced to delay grazing or hay cutting until the late summer so that it has time to set seed.

  • Vue sur le col des Lauzes
    Vue sur le col des Lauzes - Blandine Delenatte - Parc national des Écrins
    Pastoralism

    The Crouzet-les-Lauzes alpine pasture

    This trail passes close to the Cabane des Lauzes, the "base camp" used by the shepherd or shepherdess responsible for the Crouzet-les-Lauzes alpine pasture. The lower areas of this pastureland are difficult to oversee as they are covered by forest where it is easy to lose sight of animals among the larches. The higher areas, exploited in August, are very remote.
  • La libellule à quatre taches
    La libellule à quatre taches - Damien Combrisson - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The four-spotted chaser

    Dragonflies can be seen gliding around the lake One of them is relatively easy to identify: the four-spotted chaser. It is called this because there is a spot on each of its four wings. The female lays her eggs on floating vegetation and the larvae are aquatic. The dragonfly feeds primarily on mosquitoes and midges which it catches in mid-air. The male and female also mate while in flight... A real acrobat!

  • Le rougequeue à front blanc
    Le rougequeue à front blanc - Damien Combrisson - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The common redstart

    The common redstart can be told apart from its cousin, the black redstart by its white eyebrow (hence its French name which is translated as "white-browed redstart") and its orange breast. At least for the male, since the female of both birds is duller and brownish, but the female common redstart also has an orangey tail. It returns from Africa in early April and searches the areas to find a hollow in a tree or in an old wall where it builds its nest. 

  • Prunier de Briançon
    Prunier de Briançon - Bernard Nicollet - Parc national des Écrins
    Flora

    Huile de marmotte - marmot oil

    In times past, the inhabitants of Freissinières used oil for cooking and lighting. Walnut or almond oil was difficult to produce at this high altitude. The Briançon plum tree or marmottier, however, can withstand the mountain conditions, and the yellow fruits of this tree contain kernels. These kernels were pressed in mills to produce an oil with medicinal virtues: marmot oil. . 

  • Le demi deuil
    Le demi deuil - Mireille Coulon - Parc national des Écrins
    Fauna

    The marbled white

    Numerous butterflies can be seen enjoying the sunshine along the way. One is very easy to recognise. Completely black and white, maybe the person who gave it its French name demideuil («half in mourning) was a pessimist! In England, however, its name "marbled white" puts the emphasis on its white colour. It is a common butterfly and its caterpillars feed on grasses. 


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.
The Partias Regional Nature Reserve is managed by the LPO PACA and the commune of Puy Saint André. This is a protected and regulated area: dog leash, forbidden harvest, stay on marked trails, climbing prohibited except Meurseult pilami track, etc.
Impacted practices:
Land, Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Contact:

LPO PACA antenne de Briançon
0492219417
hautes-alpes@lpo.fr

Peregrine falcon

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

Short-toed snake eagle

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

Short-toed snake eagle

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

Recommandations

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

23 Avenue de la République, 05120 L'Argentière-La Bessée

https://www.paysdesecrins.com/contact@paysdesecrins.com+33(0)4 92 23 03 11

Les Alberts, 05290 Puy Saint Vincent 1400 m

https://www.paysdesecrins.com/contact@paysdesecrins.com+33(0)4 92 23 35 80

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>> www.paysdesecrins.com

More information


Source


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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.