Le Rafour – Villard Reculas

The village houses are enhanced by a harmonious style of architecture, featuring stonework and timber. There is a lovely view over the Bourg d'Oisans plain and the Taillefer massif.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Starting point: Bourg d'Oisans
Height gain: 720 m
Total duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 km
Level: moderate

MAP
Map IGN Top 25 no.3335 E

Departure from Le Rafour (719m). Take the road that crosses the small hamlet of Le Rafour, signposted 'Pied de Combe creuse'.
The climb begins at the foot of Combe Creuse! A very steep climb in the forest of about 1h45 to 'La Fontaine de l'Ours' (1274m).
From there you continue the climb, which becomes slightly less steep. You will arrive on the road that leads to Villard Reculas. At 100m on the right, on the other side of the road, you see a path that goes up. There are no signs or markings. You go up this path and after 100m you see the pole that indicates 'Les Essarts' (1435m). You turn right, in the direction of Villard Reculas, it is still an hour's walk in the forest to get to the center.
From Villard Reculas you have a breathtaking view over the plain of Bourg d'Oisans, the Taillefer, Belledonne and the Ecrins.
The return can be done via the same path. You can also choose to go down via Sardonne, the road then becomes a bit longer but also much less steep on the descent. In Les Essarts direction Sardonne, Combe de la Voute and then direction Le Rafour. Total ascent time: 3h00, descent: about 2h30.