Le Châtel en boucle

Set off on an emblematic hike offering panoramic views over the whole of the Trièves, Dévoluy and Écrins. The summit of Châtel is a large alpine pasture offering a perfect view of Obiou, another emblematic summit.

La Châtel, also known as Bonnet de Calvin, is a challenging hike with vertiginous passages. The cliffs near the summit are home to many varieties of bird of prey. If you're lucky, you may come across vultures, eagles or falcons. This distinctive mountain can be seen from all over the Trièves. When you're at the top, you'll have a panoramic view of all the surrounding massifs. The perfect opportunity to take a day trip and enjoy a picnic with a magnificent view.

En pratique

  • Acceptés

Publics

  • Walkers/hikers,
  • Level red – hard

Animaux acceptés

  • Acceptés

Conditions d'accueil des animaux

  • Alpine pastures, dogs only allowed on leash.
    ATTENTION: the cabled passage requires you to cross a rock with a small climbing step. It may be necessary to carry your dog.

Start: From the "Parking de Baret" you'll find yourself in a large fir forest. You'll start to follow the path heading north, and soon come across the first yellow post indicating "Le Châtel" at 3.4km. Follow this direction through the forest. You'll soon come to a post labelled "Les Granges de Châtel".

1) From "Les Granges de Châtel" continue along the main track, following the signs for "Barraque des Gardes". This forest track climbs slightly to bring you to a new post.

2) At the "Barraque des Gardes", take the upward path towards Le Châtel, signposted at 1:25. There's a good climb ahead, with a succession of bends in the forest. You'll be able to enjoy the view a little further on as you leave the forest. A balcony path offers a magnificent view of the Dévoluy massif. Watch out for the precipice, though, as the path is narrow. The path climbs steeply to reach the "Col de la Brèche".

3) From the "Col de la Brèche" finish the hike in the direction of Châtel. The next section is relatively steep, with a few cable crossings. Be careful on the way up. You will soon reach the highest point of Le Châtel, marked by a milestone. Enjoy the incredible views all around you.

4) Continue along the path through the mountain pasture to reach the Châtel post in the middle of the pasture. A short descent through the fields brings you to the post. You have the option of continuing to the orientation table at the north end of the mountain. In this case, you'll have to make a 600-metre round trip.

5) At the "Le Châtel" signpost, follow the signs for "Granges de Châtel". It's a great way to get up close and personal with the Châtel cliffs. The descent offers lovely views of the Trièves just opposite. The descent continues through the forest.

6) Once you've reached the "Granges de Châtel", head for the Baret parking lot, just 1 km away. You'll arrive back at your car, which is in the Baret parking lot.

Services

  • Pets welcome

Équipements

  • Car park,
  • Sustainable development,
  • Outhouse,
  • Free car park

Nature du terrain

  • Stone,
  • Ground,
  • Grit,
  • Not suitable for strollers

Informations complémentaires

Tourisme adapté

  • Not accessible in a wheelchair

Langues parlées

  • French

Durée moyenne d'une visite groupée

  • 240h

Ouvertures

All year round.

Subject to favorable weather.

Périodes

  • Autumn,
  • Summer,
  • Winter,
  • Spring

Tarifs

Free access.

S'y rendre

Latitude : 44.8218

Longitude : 5.79083

Altitude : 1297

Parking de Baret
38710 Mens
S'y rendre

By car, from the Mens Tourist Office, follow signs for Cordéac, Corps.
At the "La Croix" crossroads, which indicates the gendarmerie on the right and the D 66 on the left, go straight on towards "Le Verdier".
Pass "Pré Clos", "Mentayre", then "Le Verdier" until the tarmac road becomes a track.
Follow the forest track for 3.5 km to the "Baret" parking lot.

Chambéry Grenoble Bourg-d'Oisans Bourgoin-Jallieu Vienne Lyon Valence Gap

Information mise à jour le 08/08/2023
par Office de Tourisme du Trièves

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