The 6 mountain huts

The smells, colours and atmosphere change constantly during the change in altitude.
You will be taken back in time and your imagination will roam thinking of the traces left by ancestors of the area, their history and their way of life. You will be overcome by a sense of respect for these mountain artisans.

What are you, lavender?

Lavandin

Flora

The beech forest
Its fruit, beechnuts, are edible like chestnuts. They are more difficult to shell, and were used as food for pigs for some length of time.

Transhumance
As grass is rare at high altitude, transhumance is necessary. The idea is to follow the growth of grass, which is staggered according to altitude. The flock is therefore taken to the top, then makes its way down progressively.
Nowadays keeping methods have changed. Breeders, who often have more than one activity, make regular trips to check on the health of the flock in particular. The sheep are otherwise free to roam as the Grun cirque rockfaces act as a natural barrier. This type of keeping is known as "garde à l'arrage".

Pasture hamlets

6 Mountain Huts hamlet
The remnants of these pastoral dwellings could no doubt tell the story of their forgotten lodgers.

Saint Maurice parish churc
This church that was built by Cluniac monks, is the oldest in the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys. There is proof of its existence at the end of the 11th century. Its square bell tower is of typical Lombard tradition. The simple interior is composed of three naves with ridged vaults and a flat apse. Spared by the religious wars of the 16th century, its first restoration dates back to 1668.

"Sully" the lime tree

Saint Maurice en Valgodémard church
It is the oldest church in the Valgaudemar area.
Description
From the car park in Saint Maurice en Valgaudemar, return to the surfaced road towards the church and take the road to the right until you reach the sign indicating the way to 6 Mountain Huts. From here, follow the path marked with a red dot towards the Salette mountain hut. Cross the bridge over the Saint-Maurice stream and follow the path. At the next junction, follow the footpath that goes up to the right (do not take the path to the left that leads to the Rochimont mountain hut).
Further on, the trail comes close to the stone ruins of a small mountain pasture hamlet and soon after leads to the Salette pastoral hut, which is situated at an altitude of 1650 m. After walking for 2 hours, the small fountain will be more than welcome.
To reach the "6 mountain huts", continue the climb for about an hour on an open but rocky and narrow pathway with many bends, until you get to the surprising yet incredible hamlet that is situated at an altitude of 1980 m.
After a welcome break in the superb cirque at the foot of the Grun de Saint-Maurice, which is filled with the history of the place, you can return by the same route.
Altimetric profile
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
Navetta del conseil général (Voyageurs 05) da Saint-Firmin. Collegamento con i bus provenienti da Gap e da Grenoble.
Informazioni al 0033(0)4 92 502 505
Access and parking
7 km from Saint-Firmin, take the D985a until you reach the Saint-Maurice en Valgaudemar car park.
Parking :
Source

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