The Couleau valley
Saint-Clément-sur-Durance

The Couleau valley

Geology
Pastoralism
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A pleasant route through the unspoilt Couleau valley, unveiling its varied landscapes to the curious walker.
From streams to waterfalls, from pine forests to mountain pastures, this short hike is a real gem for walkers in search of peace and quiet.

3 points of interest

  • Flora

    Scots

    The Scots pine can be identified by its long reddish-brown trunk and its sparse foliage. The grey-green needles and slightly curved and are grouped in pairs. It requires plenty of sun and copes in poor, sandy soil that is not suitable for other trees. Its wood is light and of good quality.
  • Fauna

    Chamois

    Present, yet hard to spot, the chamois takes refuge at high altitude during the summer to escape the hot temperatures. The females and the "éterlou" (young male under a year old) like to stay in a large herd whereas the males are more solitary and only join the females for the mating season. It is possible to see them in the Couleau valley that overlooks the Rougnoux pass.
  • Flora

    Larch

    With its wide array of colours that change with the seasons, the larch has been designated tree of light. In the spring, it has tender green needles that are so soft you can stroke them. Female red current-coloured catkins and pale yellow male catkins adorn the branches. Like an autumn colour chart, it marvels us with its numerous golden shades. However, when winter comes, it is the only European conifer to lose its needles, consequently letting light through to the undergrowth.

Description

Go straight ahead on the track, which then narrows into a path and climbs more steeply after it crosses a stream a few times.
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  1. Follow the cairns to cross the stream and reach the St Clément hut. From here, cross the clearing to the left just above the hut to pick up the well-marked path that continues along the Couleau to the footbridge.
  2. Cross the stream and then descend to the right bank following the path which then passes under the Pré Charnier hut.
  3. Continue downhill on the main path, leaving the directions to the Méan and then Fouran huts on the right. Shortly after the old slate quarry and the stream crossing, the path widens into a track. Follow it for about 200 m.
  4. At the cairn, take the path down to the left and cross the Couleau stream by the footbridge. Follow the path back up to the start of the trail near the car park.
  5. Turn right to get back to the starting point.
  • Departure : Pré du Plaï, Saint-Clément-sur-Durance
  • Arrival : Pré du Plaï, Saint-Clément-sur-Durance
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Clément-sur-Durance and Châteauroux-les-Alpes

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Herd protection dogs

In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).

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".
Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.

Information desks

Maison du Parc de l'Embrunais

Place de l’Église, 05380 Châteauroux-les-Alpes

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/embrunais@ecrins-parcnational.fr04 92 43 23 31

Information, documentation, exhibition, screenings, products and books of the Park. Accessible to people with reduced mobility. Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

Access and parking

From the RN 94 (towards Briançon), turn left at the Saint Clément exit, signposted Réotier. Follow Les Clots to the left and climb up into the village. About 1 km after crossing it, take the track to the left (just before the hamlet of Les Clots). Follow it to the end (approx. 25 mins).

Parking :

Pré du Plaï (at the end of the track)

Accessibility

Family
Emergency number :114

Source

Parc national des Ecrinshttps://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr

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