Col de la Pousterle (no. 15)

Fauna

Flora

Panorama

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Alternating between meadows and forest, a very easy circuit offering a panoramic 360° view over the valleys and adjacent peaks.

Leading above the Puy Saint-Vincent resort, at over 1,700 metres above sea level, this excursion offers views over the valley of La Vallouise and the surrounding peaks, then on to the foot of the Col de la Pousterle for a panoramic view over the Fournel valley.

Description

The route starts at the entrance to the « RECOUMERE » car park in the Puy Saint-Vincent 1800 resort near the Résidence Le Parc Aux Étoiles. It starts on the road, then straight on at the hairpin along a track above the buildings.

Turn off this track onto another track leading left towards the Escapade chairlift ("Télésiège de l'Escapade") and the start of the summer toboggan run
At the crossroads in the tracks, turn right towards Les Tournoux
Head left towards the Plateau de la Pousterle
At the end of the track, go right towards the Col de la Pousterle
When you reach the pass, turn back on yourself and follow the circuit in the opposite direction, returning to your starting point

Departure : Car park near the Résidence Le Parc Aux Étoiles at the 1800 resort, Puy Saint Vincent.
Arrival : Car park near the Résidence Le Parc Aux Étoiles at the 1800 resort, Puy Saint Vincent.
Towns crossed : Puy-Saint-Vincent, Les Vigneaux, and L'Argentière-la-Bessée

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

It can be started from either end: either at the 1800 resort or at the Col de la Pousterle

Rescue services contact details: Secours Montagne(Mountain Rescue): +33 (0)4 92 22 22 22 or 112

Show consideration for the work of farmers, livestock keepers and owners

Close all gates behind you

Take your litter home

Do not take shortcuts across pastureland

Information desks

Vallouise Park house

, 05290 Vallouise

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/vallouise@ecrins-parcnational.fr 04 92 23 58 08

Information, documentation, models, exhibitions, screenings, product sales and works of the Park. Guided tours for school, reservation required. The new Park House opened in Vallouise since June 1, and offers visitors an interactive permanent exhibition inviting to explore the area and its heritage. A temporary exhibition space will allow a renewed offer. Finally, the device is completed by an audiovisual room to organize screenings and conferences Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

Les Alberts, 05290 Puy Saint Vincent 1400 m

https://www.paysdesecrins.com/contact@paysdesecrins.com +33(0)4 92 23 35 80

Transport

Public transport >> www.pacamobilite.fr
Consider car-sharing >> www.blablacar.fr

For more information, ask at the Tourist Information Office nearest to the trail starting point >> www.paysdesecrins.com

Access and parking

14.7 km from L'Argentière-la-Bessée, take the D994E, D4 and D804.

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Peregrine falcon

Impacted practices:: Aerial, Vertical

Sensitivity periods:: FebMarAprMayJun

Contact:: Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Find out more

4 points of interest

Fauna
The clouded Apollo
White, almost translucent in places, with just a few black spots, this butterfly is a cousin of the better-known mountain Apollo. It lives in clearings in open woods where the plant on which the female lays her eggs grows, and on which its caterpillars feed: the corydalis. It is a mountain butterfly.
Panorama
Tournoux
The Tournoux plateau is a small paradise with its cool meadows, its occasional renovated chalets made from stone and larch wood and its view over the Tête d'Aval, an imposing limestone peak forming part of the Montbrison massif. Whether on a mountain bike, on foot or on cross-country skis in the winter, this spot is always an invitation to stop for a break!
Fauna
The common raven
A hollow "caw" makes you lift up your head (careful not to trip!). A pair of common ravens is nesting near here (they pair for life), on a cliff face. Although bigger than its cousins the carrion crow and the rook, it can be identified by its rather lozenge-shaped tail. It almost became extinct due to persecution Yet it's an omnivore and, more particularly, a scavenger which plays an important role by cleaning up disease-prone carcasses.
Panorama
The Fournel valley
This is the southern side of the Col de la Pousterle and its view over the very long Fournel valley, known for its mines, ice waterfalls, blue thistles, its canyon and other treasures. Lower down is L'Argentière-la-Bessée. At the highest point, right in the distance, is the Champsaur!