4. From Alpe du Grand Serre to Col d'Ornon
HardAfter a gentle start, the route rises through the woods as far as the mountain pastures. The view gradually clears over the Col and the fascinating north face of the Grand Armet. When you get to Plancol, you can enjoy a wonderful change in perspective with an exceptional view over the west face of the Parc des Ecrins.
Description
- Then turn right into the path.This was once a road and is lined with twisted beech trees. It crosses the new road and arrives at Chabotte.
- Carry on the road as far as the "Moulin Vieux” fork. Go through the village, following the signs to "Plan Col".
- Cross the Vaunoire mountain stream and, just after the bridge, follow the markings along the left bank. The path you want meets up with the slope on the left bank near the Pourvis house.
- From the car park the route follows a path through the forest. Towards 1300 m (a ford) the path turns into a track. The route rises quickly through the wood (a steep path) and crosses the Vaunoire mountains stream (a footbridge) at about 1180m.The track then follows the left bank of the stream before arriving in the mountain pastures at about 1600 m. Cross the ford and follow the path that runs under the shepherd’s cabin and rises quickly, passing through several bends as far as the Col de Plancol.
- The path then goes down into the small west-facing valley, passes next to the source of the River Baisse and begins a dizzying crossing equipped with cables (a long, sheer crossing with a peak). You arrive once more in the beech forest and the path winds its way towards the Malsanne Valley. At the bottom of the valley, it crosses the white alder forest of Ornon and arrives at the RD 526, which you follow up to the Col d'Ornon.
- Departure : Alpe du Grand Serre
- Arrival : Col d'Ornon
- Towns crossed : La Morte, Lavaldens, and Chantelouve
2 points of interest
Centre LHC de Moulin-vieux - © Parc national des Ecrins - Pierre Masclaux 
ArchitectureRépublique des Enfants
The “Children's Republic” was an important experiment in education. It was part of the movement in citizenship education occurring in different parts of the world and advocating the respect for children. It began in 1946 with the arrival of children from the south of France or young Spanish refugees, most of whom were orphans. Here homes were gradually built, community centres and holiday camps. This explains this large building at Moulin Vieux, which is called the Colonie (camp) or the Republic, and which today welcomes travellers and holidaymakers.
Le Glacier du Grand Armet - © Parc national des Écrins - Jean-Pierre Nicollet 
PanoramaThe Grand Armet glaciers
The Massif du Taillefer has hardly any glaciers left on its sides. In the first part of the ascent in the Roizonne valley towards Plancol, you go below the north face of the Grand Armet, which still has two glaciers. The higher one is called the Grand Glacier, and is valiantly resisting the widespread melting of the Alpine glaciers, despite a relatively low altitude (2250m), although it has greatly decreased in size over the past few years. The Grand Glacier is the most westerly glacier in the French Alps.
Altimetric profile
Information desks
Oisans Park house
Rue Gambetta, 38520 Le Bourg d'Oisans
Video presentation of the natural resources of the Oisans mountain and its crafts. Information, documentation about the Park, projections, reading space for children. Accessible to people with reduced mobility. Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.
Source
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