Waterfalls, lakes and glaciers are part of the landscape of La Chapelle-En-Valgaudémar. Visitors who choose the municipality as a destination will find both nature trails and traces of the region’s architectural and mountain history. A large part of the municipality lies within the core zone of the Parc national des Écrins. This core zone begins a few kilometres from the village, at the Refuge du Gioberney.

Landscapes and trails in the Valgaudemar

For a specific outing, hike to Lac du Lauzon: the trail starts in La Chapelle-En-Valgaudémar and is a moderately difficult 6.6-kilometre loop that takes three hours. The route lies in the Cirque du Gioberney, above the Voile de la Mariée waterfall. Another route follows a path and a Romanesque bridge across the Torrent de Navette to the churning giant’s kettles known as the Oulles du Diable. The route to the Refuge de Vallonpierre ends at a small, high-altitude lake.

The landscape can also be explored on shorter walks along specific trails: the hike through the Bois des Andrieux follows the Séveraisse to the Pont des Andrieux and takes the Valgaude Trail (GR54). The return route passes through a moss-covered forest. The L’Aup route starts at the abandoned village of Navette and follows a narrow, steep path towards the Cascade de Buchardet. The route to the Refuge de Chabournéou is listed as taking two hours and 30 minutes from the Gioberney car park, with an ascent of 450 metres. Trail conditions can vary seasonally, so plan this hike with local conditions in mind. There is also an alternative route on the GR54 at the Refuge de Chabournéou.

Further into the Valgaudemar, the Valgaude Trail allows visitors to explore the lower valley. Trails in the upper valley lead to refuges and peaks, including Olan, Rouies, Bans and Sirac. This regional perspective complements the specific hikes around the municipality without combining them into a single route.

Mountain refuges and local history

The stone building of the Refuge du Clot-Xavier Blanc was originally used by miners extracting quartz veins above the Gioberney. It later became one of the first mountain refuges of the Club Alpin Français. Today, the refuge welcomes visitors for a day trip or their first mountain-refuge experience, and serves as a starting point for the Tour du Valgaudemar. If you are planning hikes in the upper valley, bear in mind that trail conditions can change seasonally.

The region’s history is also reflected in its houses and bridges. Traditional houses in the Valgaudemar have a vaulted porch on the façade, known as a “toune”; the entrance is usually located there. These houses were once thatched. The Pont du Casset is an old bridge that has survived floods of the Séveraisse. Together with the history of the Refuge du Clot-Xavier Blanc, these structures tell of the valley’s different uses and eras.

Pastoral traditions and visitor information

The municipality’s pastoral tradition is reflected in the Fête de la chèvre. Held every year on 4 October, it marks the herds’ descent to the valley floor and the beginning of winter. If you would like to include the celebration in your travel plans, check the date locally. The Maison du Parc du Valgaudemar offers information, documentation, permanent and temporary exhibitions, and park products for sale.

Discover more destinations: Gap, Ribiers, Saint-Jean-Saint-Nicolas, Chabottes, Névache, Savines-Le-Lac, La Motte-En-Champsaur, La Grave.

Go to the regional travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.