From la Chapelle to Clot by the GR 54

Taking this footpath is somewhat like going back in time 100 years, when walking was not a leisure activity, but a necessity to get from one village to another. Today it is a peaceful route punctuated with numerous things to discover: natural prairies, irrigation canals, traditional dwellings, shepherds' huts, roman bridges, walled paths...not to mention the waterfalls, cracks, coombs, birds of prey or small sparrows.

Hayfields
Hayfields surround the village of La Chapelle. Unfortunately, such natural hayfields, and their flowers and insects, are more and more frequently replaced by temporary hayfields, in other words, certain years they are sowed. These prairies are still watered by the irrigation canals that are well maintained by the users with the help of the National Park. You will see the floodway of the Grande Levée canal not far from the stream as it nears the Sèveraisse. The canals are of great importance for preserving wetland flora, such as alternate-leaved golden saxifrage or yellow star-of-Bethlehem, both of which are protected species.

Waterfalls and view points over the valley

An itinerary packed with history

Toponymy in the Valgaudemar area

Traditional dwellings

Golden eagle
Between La Chapelle and Le Clot, it is not rare to see the golden eagle flying over the sunlit slopes. In the summer, this majestic bird of prey with its dark plumage (some have lovely white rosettes on the underside of their wings) mingles with the short-toed eagle, which is smaller and lighter-coloured, and the griffon vulture, which is larger, with a short tail and often flies in groups. There is nothing surprising about this as the south facing slopes provides thermal lift that enables them to fly high and far.

"Toune"

Walled paths
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Clot Xavier Blanc mountain refuge
Description
Opposite the Tourist Information Centre in La Chapelle, the GR54 footpath starts between the bar and the souvenir shop and heads up the valley to Le Clot. Follow the footpath that more or less follows the left bank of the Sèveraisse stream up to the hamlet of Bourg. Here, a footbridge at the bottom of Bourg enables you to cross to the right bank. The footpath continues to climb a little before reaching the hamlet of Rif du Sap. The route is then very peaceful up to old hamlet of Le Clot, via the Xavier Blanc mountain refuge where it is possible to quench your thirst. This footpath is also the return route but it is possible to catch the shuttle for the return journey.
- Departure : La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar
- Towns crossed : La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar
Altimetric profile
Sensitive areas
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr
Recommandations
Please do not walk in the pastures used as fodder for the sheep and remember to close all gates so that they do not run free.

When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.
Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".
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Information desks
Valgaudemar Park house
Ancien Asile Saint-Paul, 05800 La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar
http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/
valgaudemar@ecrins-parcnational.fr
04 92 55 25 19
Information, documentation and a reception area with permanent and temporary exhibitions. La Maison du Parc is labeled "Tourism and Disability". Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.
Transport
Bus stop at St Firmin on the Gap-Grenoble route. From there, shuttle service possible. Be sure to reserve 36 hours in advance at 05voyageurs.com or by calling 04 92 502 505.
Access and parking
After Les Richards bridge, on the N85, turn right onto the D985a. La Chappelle is approximately 18 km from here.
Parking :
More information
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