Expert
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Distance
- 373 km / 232 mi
- Elevation gain
- 8,211 m
- Typical duration
- 100 hr
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
Boucle du Pigeonnier dans le cirque du Gioberney
ModerateParc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 9.9 km (6.1 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 821 m (2,694 ft)
- Typical time
- 3 hr 18 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Boucle du Pigeonnier dans le cirque du Gioberney
Boucle du Pigeonnier dans le cirque du Gioberney is a 9.9 km hiking route in Parc national des Écrins (cœur). It climbs roughly 821 m (2,694 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 hr 18 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.
It is a 9.9 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections. The nearest town of any size is Gap, about 36.4 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Parc national des Ecrins.
In short, Boucle du Pigeonnier dans le cirque du Gioberney suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate9.9 km821 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Parc national des Écrins (cœur)
- Mountain
- Circular route, no backtracking
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Follow park rules
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 64/100
- Adventure
- 47/100
- Difficulty
- 43/100
- Accessibility
- 37/100
- Family
- 20/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near Boucle du Pigeonnier dans le cirque du Gioberney
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Hard
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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Expert
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- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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Easy
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- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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Easy
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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Easy
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- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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