Tour de l’Olan

Key features:
● Departure from La Bérarde in the upper Vénéon, a historic mountaineering centre at the foot of the Meije and the Ecrins.
● A rugged, contemplative and original tour in magnificent scenery, in the Ecrins National Park, the largest French park
● A 5-day tour supervised by a high mountain guide, to learn more about high mountain walking and easy mountaineering.

Provisional programme:
Day 1: La Bérarde (1700 m) - Refuge de La Pilatte (2577 m)
Meet at 10:00 am at the guides office, Maison de la Montagne in La Bérarde.
This section follows the right bank of the Vénéon river before moving to the left bank, at the end of the valley, for the final climb to the La Pilatte hut (2577 m).
This stage takes place on the right bank of the Vénéon before moving to the left bank, at the bottom of the valley, for the final climb to the La Pilatte hut.

Overnight stay: guarded La Pilatte hut.
Ascent: 837 m
Descent: 0 m

Day 2: La Pilatte hut (2577 m) - Le Pigeonnier hut (2425 m)
Alpine section, supervised by the high mountain guide for the crossing of the Gioberney pass at an altitude of 3238 m.
Overnight stay: guarded Le Pigeonnier hut
Ascent: 661 m
Descent: 813 m

Day 3: Le Pigeonnier hut (2425 m) - Olan hut (2344 m)
A good descent to the Chalet Hotel du Gioberney (1650m) where a taxi will take us to La Chapelle en Valgaudemar (1087m) where we will take a path leading to the Olan hut. The walk follows variants of the GR 54, Grand Tour des Ecrins and the Tour de l'Oisans.
Overnight stay: guarded Olan hut.
Ascent: 1244 m
Descent: 775 m

Day 4: Olan hut (2344 m) - Pas de l'Olan (2683 m) - Descent to Côte Belle (2300 m)
Ascent to Col Turbat (2679 m) - Font Turbat hut (1984 m)
Overnight stay: guarded Font Turbat hut.
Ascent: 718 m
Descent: 1078 m

Day 5: Font Turbat hut (1984 m) - Champhorent (1600 m)
This section includes the crossing of the Brèche de l'Olan (2970m). A long descent in the Muande valley will lead us to Champhorent via the La Lavey hut.
End of the hike at La Bérarde
Ascent: 1152 m
Descent: 1554 m

All this programme is subject to change according to weather conditions, snow conditions, fatigue or ability. Please read the Terms and Conditions.

PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL LEVEL:
Average level. Experience of long-distance trekking is necessary.

Minimum age: 12 years