A paved road to Chalet Hotel du Gioberney in the heart of the Ecrins Park
France, europe
30 km
1,649 m
hard
Year-round
# Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney: A Mountain Adventure Worth the Drive
Tucked away in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France, Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney sits at a breathtaking 1,649 meters (5,410 feet) within the stunning Cirque du Vaccivier. This historic refuge, built back in 1942, is nestled right in the heart of Écrins National Park and has become the go-to launching point for serious hikers exploring the region.
Getting there is half the adventure. The road to the refuge—D480T—is fully paved but don't let that fool you. It's narrow, winding, and includes some seriously steep sections that climb up to 10%. Starting from the N85 near Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard, you're looking at a 26.2-kilometer (16.27-mile) drive with a 784-meter elevation gain. The average gradient sits at about 3%, but those final stretches? They'll get your heart pumping.
Here's the real talk: fuel up at the petrol station at the valley entrance because the refuge is roughly 30 km away, and options are non-existent once you head up. The last section is actually off-limits to private vehicles anyway, so plan accordingly.
This is serious Alpine territory. Winter brings heavy snowfall and seasonal closures, so time your visit carefully. Rockslides are also a hazard to keep in mind. But if you manage to tackle this road in good conditions, you'll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery France has to offer.
Where is it?
A paved road to Chalet Hotel du Gioberney in the heart of the Ecrins Park is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.7368, 3.2273
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,649 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.7368, 3.2273
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