For me, this is one of the most beautiful hikes you can do near Briançon. An enchanting village, magnificent mountain pastures, a summit with a panoramic view: what more could you ask for?
If you like the landscape photographs on this page, please take a look at the section Pictures. For example, you can order a mountain poster of my photos, which is a good way to support me ;).
Climb through the Ayes Valley
We begin this hike by leaving the Ayes chalets, a very cute group of chalets inhabited mainly in the summer. For those who like blueberry pie, the inn's blueberry tart is worth it... We then go up a pretty path through sparse woods.
The landscape then transforms into mountain pastures and offers a good view of the Ayes Valley itself. The path climbs gently and without any difficulty towards the pass in this bucolic valley.
From the pass, you can choose to climb the nearby Pic de Beaudouis (+350m elevation gain). The trail is, however, more difficult, as it climbs steep scree slopes. This section is therefore suitable for mountain enthusiasts. You first follow the summit's western ridge, then skirt its face, then climb the southern ridge, all in a round trip. The impressive view of all the Écrins from the summit is worth the effort!
Descent to the Taura Pass
From the Col des Ayes, you can simply descend by following the same path as on the way out. But a more interesting option, which corresponds to this GPX track, is to climb 100m of altitude to the Col de la Taure. You'll find the junction at the foot of the climb for the Col des Ayes.
Once at the Col de la Taure, you can descend through the magnificent Bois des Ayes biological reserve. You finally arrive at the Orceyrette stream, which you simply follow to the hamlet of Les Ayes.
A warning: the GPX on this page may not be very precise because it was traced after the fact (not taken in the field).
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