The hamlet of Les Combes

Name: The hamlet of Les Combes
Address: D 35T - Parking de Puy-Chalvin Puy-Chalvin, Puy-Saint-André, 05100
Telephone: 06 07 07 31 08
Price range: Free access.

Puy-Saint-André

This snowshoe hike, accessible to the whole family, follows a wide trail that leads to the typical hamlet of Les Combes, made up of summer cottages belonging to the Puy-Saint-André and Puy Saint-Pierre families.

Description

Park in the large parking lot at the entrance to Puy-Chalvin, then walk to the top of the village.

At the last house, follow the wide track that leads to the hamlet of Les Combes: it rises very gradually above the village to reach an EDF transformer and a small picnic area offering a magnificent panorama of Briançon, Prelles and the surrounding area.

The trail then twists and turns on the mountainside, continuing on a balcony above the Sachas torrent, before rushing down the valley to the hamlet of Les Combes.

On the opposite slope stands the Croix d'Aquilla: an easily recognizable rocky promontory overlooking the Foret Domaniale de Montbrison .

The return journey takes the same route.

Additional welcome

Be careful, in winter the canal is snow-covered, making it difficult to see: be sure not to stray from the tracks or you will sink into the snow and into the canal's watercourse.

If you want to make the most of the sunshine, start your hike in the morning.

Progressing on snow-covered terrain is much more demanding than in summer, and requires special equipment and knowledge of mountain hazards.

An ungroomed itinerary may require you to "follow the trail", so you'll need to be in good physical condition and well-prepared for your outing.

-Consult the weather forecast
-Avalanche risk assessment bulletin
-Consult guidebook recommendations
-Make sure you have the right equipment, including avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes.
-Choose an itinerary suited to your physical condition
-Never set off alone.