Key facts

Distance: 13.3 km
Ascent: +765 m
Descent: −705 m
Estimated time: 4 hr 30; hiking
Difficulty: Moderate; official rating
Route: Out and back; same way back

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Description

This trail follows the torrent and is an opportunity to see how the water makes its way to the Chargès mountain pastures. The first encounter with the Chargès torrent is quite strange: a "giant’s cauldron" has been dug out of the hard rock, forming a reservoir that seems to be bubbling. Later, along the torrent, calm gradually returns until the arrival at the source in the hollow of the corrie. From Les Gourniers car park, cross the village and follow the path to the Saint-Marcellin Chapel. - The path then makes its way around the mountainside to a footbridge (Pont la Claie), then goes up to the Pré d’Antoni cabin. - Continue as far as a torrent (footbridge). - Go up a grassy slope to get to a flatter section and the Chargès source.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

Between Chapelle-Saint-Marcellin and the Claie bridge, there is a danger of falling stones, especially during strong rainfall. The route is not recommended in this case.

Getting there

Start: Les Gourniers, Réallon, Réallon (05).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/904168-Source-de-Charges). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Official elevation gain: 765 m, Parc national des Écrins

The Chargès source