Hautes-Alpes (05), Vallée du Buech, massif du Dévoluy, Dévoluy, les chalets de la station de ski La Joue du Loup, // Hautes-Alpes (05), Valley Buech, Dévoluy massif, Dévoluy, La Joue du Loup, ski resort, chalets

The Dévoluy Massif

Popular with nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts, the Dévoluy massif welcomes you all year round. Discover one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Hautes-Alpes!

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Une publication partagée par Le Dévoluy (@ledevoluy)

A mountain range between Hautes-Alpes, Drôme and Isère

The landscapes of the Dévoluy massif are marked by erosion, with numerous valleys and major scree slopes. Covering an area of around 185km², the Dévoluy has many peaks over 2,000 metres in altitude. Its highest peak, L’Obiou, rises to 2,789 metres. The Souloise is the main river in the massif, which also has a number of torrents. Forests of beech, fir and Scots pine, meadows, fields, grazing areas and pastures make up the vast majority of the vegetation.

There are three roads leading to the villages of Dévoluy. To the south, the road follows the River Béoux over the Col du Festre, at an altitude of 1441 metres. To the north, the route passes through the Souloise gorge before reaching the Lac du Sautet. To the east, a winding road leads from the upper Drac and Champsaur valleys over the Col du Noyer, at an altitude of 1664 metres.

The villages and hamlets of the Dévoluy massif

People have lived in this area for thousands of years, mainly growing crops and raising livestock. The Dévoluy massif is home to four main villages. Agnières en Dévoluy is close to the Joue du Loup ski resort, and Saint-Étienne en Dévoluy is at the foot of the Superdévoluy ski resort and the Col du Noyer. To the south of the massif, La Cluse is an authentic and picturesque village. Further north, Saint Disdier is famous for La Mère-Église, one of the oldest chapels in the Hautes-Alpes. Dating back to the 11th century, this building hosts the Festival Musique en Dévoluy.

On the Col du Noyer, a refuge has provided shelter for travellers since the 19th century. Built in 1850, it was named the Refuge Napoléon in homage to the emperor who passed through the Hautes-Alpes on his return from Elba, following a route that is still remembered as the Route Napoléon.

The villages and hamlets of the Dévoluy massif have an authentic and charming rural heritage: fountains, ovens, chapels, wash-houses, engraved stones, sundials…

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Hiking and nature sports in the mountains

Hiking enthusiasts can take advantage of the many signposted trails to discover hamlets, mountain pastures, passes, peaks and summits. Beginners and experienced walkers alike can easily find routes to suit their level.

Mountain biking is also popular in Dévoluy. The ski lifts are accessible to cyclists, who can take their bikes up and enjoy the downhill thrills.

You can also discover nature on horseback, on rides through the forests and meadows of Dévoluy.

Thrill-seekers can take advantage of their stay in the Dévoluy massif to go rock-climbing, climb their first via ferrata, go canyoning, or experience a first flight in a paraglider.

You can cycle over the passes of the Southern Alps. Cyclists can multiply their escapades, opting for a route and a gradient suited to their level.

Winter sports and skiing in Dévoluy

The Dévoluy massif offers abundant snow cover in winter and sunshine, much to the delight of winter sports enthusiasts.

The SuperDévoluy and Joue du Loup resorts welcome skiers in winter, with over 100 kilometres of pistes. Snowboarders can perform a series of jumps and tricks at Mushroom’s park, at an altitude of 2,000 metres.

The Dévoluy massif also appeals to lovers of ski touring, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You can practise your favourite sport in the Nordic area, or set off on an adventure and leave your mark in the immaculate powder snow. Other more unusual activities await adults and children, such as dog-drawn sleigh rides and descents on fat bikes, bikes with oversized wheels.

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Practical Information

The Dévoluy massif is easy to reach:

From Gap and Veynes, following the signs for “Le Dévoluy” ;
From Grenoble, take the N85 towards Gap, and follow the signs for Superdevoluy at Corps;
From the Champsaur valley, over the Col du Noyer at La Fare-en-Champsaur.

You are in a mountainous area. Compulsory equipment is required on winter roads. We also recommend that you contact the Bureau des Guides du Dévoluy or another specialised service provider if you wish to take part in thrill sports, check the weather conditions before setting out on the trails, and make sure you have the right equipment for your activity.