Mountain refuge Gîte d'étape L'Aiglière

Between Vallouise and the access slopes to the Ecrins

Gîte d'étape L'Aiglière appears in a passing area more than in an isolated enclave, within the term of Vallouise-Pelvoux in the French High Alps. At 1167 meters, its height does not yet correspond to the most severe high mountain environment, but it does mark the transition between the valley bottom and the slopes leading to much higher reliefs. In this sector of the Pays des Écrins, the shelter fits well as support to order a day before gaining height or to fail long paths across the valley.

Its practical interest is increased by the proximity of routes of journey such as the Via Alpina in its sections R128 and R129, in addition to GR 54 , Tour de l'Oisans et Écrins, and the GR 50 , linked to the Tour du Parc National des Écrins. Local-scale trails, such as the Canaux Sentier or the Tour des Vigneaux, also appear, which makes it possible to assess whether it compensates to deviate from the main route to find a support point in the valley before continuing. On the next horizon, summits such as The Blanche (2954 m) or Tête d'Amont (2814 m), which help to understand the mountainous character of the environment: even if the shelter is low, the ground around it rises quickly and the weather can change clearly by gaining height.

For the logistics, there are several sources very close, with one to 64 meters and others within walking distance in the same immediate environment, a useful data in a transit area where it is appropriate to adjust well water and avitualation before entering on longer routes. Even so, in days that link valley and high levels it is still reasonable to plan with margin, because the ease of access in this location does not eliminate the demand of the land once the Vallouise bottom is abandoned.