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
Eldorado ! Le col de Vallonpierre
HardParc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 23.9 km (14.8 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 1,317 m (4,321 ft)
- Typical time
- 7 hr 13 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Eldorado ! Le col de Vallonpierre
Eldorado ! Le col de Vallonpierre is a 23.9 km hiking route in Parc national des Écrins (cœur). It climbs roughly 1,317 m (4,321 ft) along the way. Most people take around 7 hr 13 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It rewards preparation. Strong legs, an early start and a weather window all make a large difference here.
There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.
It is a 23.9 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
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 32.6 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Eldorado ! Le col de Vallonpierre suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Hard23.9 km1,317 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
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 return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Parc national des Écrins (cœur)
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- 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
- 50/100
- Adventure
- 51/100
- Difficulty
- 89/100
- Accessibility
- 19/100
- Family
- 10/100
- 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
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- 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
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Real food, not just snacks
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. 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 Eldorado ! Le col de Vallonpierre
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Easy
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 38 m
- Typical duration
- 25 min
- Waymarked route
Moderate
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 9.9 km / 6.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 821 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 18 min
- Mountain
Easy
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 4.5 km / 2.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 98 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 4 min
- Forest
- Waymarked route
Hard
Parc national des Écrins (cœur) · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Distance
- 18.6 km / 11.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,024 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 31 min
- Forest
- Waymarked route
Easy
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · France
- Distance
- 2.2 km / 1.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 48 m
- Typical duration
- 32 min
- Forest
- Waymarked route