Les Têtes via La Pignée (trail route no. 23)

Description

This itinerary offers a massive breath of fresh air and an incredible panoramic view. On this vertiginous route, which offers exciting gradients, you will encounter lots of fellow outdoor sports enthusiasts. In fact, you will see kayakers at the white water stadium, climbers at the climbing site and on the Horloge via ferrata and also walkers, mountain bikers and other trailers as you ascend through the woods of La Pignée on your way to the highest point of the route: Les Têtes (2,044 m). From here, you will enjoy a breathtaking 360° panorama. You will then drop down to the Col de la Pousterle and on to the Fournel, and will end with a long downhill traverse back to your starting point. The circuit starts at the Les Écrins campsite in L'Argentière-la-Bessée. You will go past the white water stadium along the green route ("Voie Verte") and on to the industrial zone and the roundabout in the Avenue Charles de Gaulle - At the roundabout, turn left, go through the railway line underpass and then turn right at the second roundabout, heading towards the Horloge des Hermes clock tower and Les Combettes - Head left to La Blachière and then take a path running above the silver mines ("Mines d'Argent") - After crossing the mountain stream L'Eychaillon, start a long ascent to the right along a magnificent single-track through the woods of La Pignée, heading towards Les Têtes - When you reach Les Poutilles, head left to the highest point of the trail - Les Têtes (2,044 m) - and then retrace your steps, following the route in reverse. In Les Poustilles, head left to drop back down to the Lac des Sagnes and on to the Col de la Pousterle as far as the Champ Didier - Cross the Fournel and then turn left to start a long traverse downhill towards Le Sapey and the Bois du Champ Pelbaud, in a pine forest - Go right onto the north-facing slope ("Ubac") and then follow signs for Plan Léothaud - Turn left, cross the local road and then the railway line. Then turn left again to follow the railway line to the Les Écrins campsite and your starting point

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Before setting off, it is very important to check the opening periods for this route on the website: https://stationdetrail.com/fr/stations/le-pays-des-ecrins/parcours
• Share your photographs on social networks with #stationdetrailecrins
• 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
• The trail routes are also suitable for walking

Getting there

Start: Camping Les Écrins, L’Argentière-la-Bessée, L'Argentière-la-Bessée (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/973128-Trail-N23---Les-Tetes-par-la-Pignee). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Surface and path types: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, extract of 28 October 2026, matched to the track every 10 m (openstreetmap.org/copyright)
• Official elevation gain: 1,113 m, Parc national des Écrins