Narreyroux circuit (no. 13)

Fauna

Flora

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A peaceful walk in the heart of nature, with the added benefit of many stunning panoramic views.

This intermediate circuit running through the municipality of Puy Saint-Vincent and its hamlets, takes you amidstnature and to remarkable locations such as the valley of Narreyroux. At the highest point of the circuit, you will also have the opportunity to admire the valley of Vallouise and several amazing peaks like Mont Pelvoux.

Description

The Narreyroux circuit starts at Les Prés at the 1400 resort roundabout, heading towards Le Villaret

At Le Villaret, take the track on the right towards Les Vigneaux via Combe Noire
At the end of the track, bear slightly right to start the climb up towards the plateau of La Pousterle via Via Novo
At the end of the track, join the road, still heading towards the Plateau de la Pousterle
At Le Prey d'Amont, turn right to leave the road and join a track
At the intersection of the tracks, turn left and then right 200 metres further on, heading towards the 1800 resort
At the 1800 resort, take the road downhill and, at the centre of the fifth hairpin, take a track that leads to Narreyroux
Go right to cross the bridge spanning the mountain stream and return to Narreyroux
At La Chapelle Notre Dame, turn right onto a path heading towards Le Puy (Caution: proceed slowly along this technical section)
At the end of the path at the Torrent de la Combe de Narreyroux mountain stream, cross the bridge to rejoin the road on the right. 500 metres further on, at the first hairpin, take a path running along the canal side
Cross the local road and then rejoin the canal path
At the end of the path, turn left towards the Croque Loisirs campsite. Go through the campsite and this brings you back to Les Prés and your starting point

Departure : From Les Prés near the roundabout to station 1400, Puy Saint Vincent
Arrival : From Les Prés near the roundabout to station 1400, Puy Saint Vincent
Towns crossed : Puy-Saint-Vincent and Les Vigneaux

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

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

Les Alberts, 05290 Puy Saint Vincent 1400 m

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

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

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

8.5 km from L'Argentière-la-Bessée, take the D994E and then the D4.

Parking :

Car park at Les Prés near the resort 1400 roundabout, Puy Saint Vincent

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.

Black grouse - winter

Impacted practices:: , Land

Sensitivity periods:: JanFebMarAprDec

Contact:: Parc National des Ecrins
Thierry Maillet : thierry.maillet@ecrins-parcnational.fr

Membre de l'Observatoire des Galliformes de montagne
Virginie Dos Santos : ogm.vds@gmail.com
Blandine Amblard : ogm.amblard@gmail.com

Find out more

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:: Aerial,

Sensitivity periods:: MarAprMayJunJulAugSep

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

Find out more

Peregrine falcon

Impacted practices:: Aerial, Vertical

Sensitivity periods:: FebMarAprMayJun

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

Find out more

8 points of interest

History
Les Prés, hamlet of Puy-Saint-Vincent
Le Prés is one of the main hamlets of Puy-Saint-Vincent. Like Le Puy and Les Alberts, it stands on a flat plateau which is a glacial escarpment left by the now-retreated Gyronde glacier. Like Prey d'Aval, Prey du Milieu and Prey d'Amant, its name is a reminder that prior to the development of the ski resort, the land here used to be shared by meadows and crops.
Fauna
The peregrine falcon
Cries echo around the cliffs. A pair of peregrine falcons nests there regularly. A real "fighter plane" with tapered wings, it is a formidable predator of pigeons and other birds. It came very close to extinction because of pesticides, but it remains endangered because the eggs are still stolen for the falconry trade, even though it is a protected species. It is also sensitive to disturbance. Climbers are urged not to climb in this area in the spring.
Flora
The yellow cephalaria
Rather like a tall scabious (up to 2 metres) but with pale yellow flower heads, this is not a common plant. Yet, at an intersection of two tracks, it has established on a small patch of ground. Who knows why! It is a mountain plant which only lives in the west of the Alpine Arc..
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.
Flora
The martagon lily
In cooler spots, the path is edged by large plants such as the wood cranesbill, which has purple flowers, and the martagon lily. This superb plant has large hanging flowers with curved-back petals, which are pink speckled with purple and exposed orangey stamens. Its leaves are elongated and whorled. It grows in meadows and cool woods. Although common here, it is rare in many French regions. In fact, picking it is prohibited or regulated.
Vernacular heritage
The mountain habitat
The houses here were once built with local materials: stone and larch wood. They are roofed with shingles rather than the lauze (flat stone) commonly seen in other mountain regions. The hamlet of Narreyroux was a high mountain hamlet within the the municipality of Puy-Saint-Vincent. In fact, one of the chalets is still used as a shepherd's cabin, before the flock moves up the valley floor where the Grands Plans shepherd's cabin is situated.
Vernacular heritage
The hamlet of Narreyroux
A former alpine pasture hamlet, the hamlet of Narreyroux has maintained its charm even though most of its restored houses are now second homes. Higher up, the valley of Narreyroux is still a big alpine pasture. The pastoral cabin in which the shepherd stayed at the beginning and end of the summer grazing season, is located in the hamlet.
Vernacular heritage
The irrigation canals
The route follows a canal side for a short distance. Numerous canals brought water from the Torrent de la Combe mountain stream to the fields which take up a large area around the villages of Puy-Saint-Vincent. In fact, the slopes just above these fields did not provide sufficient water, making it necessary to create this large network of irrigation canals.