Overview
Geographical classification: Western Alps >
High Dauphiné Alps > Soreiller group>
Tête de la Maye is a small summit with a quite easy access for hikers. This mountain is the closest to La Bérarde. It is situated in the middle of the massif. From the top the view is wonderfull on the main summits arround: La Meije, Les Ecrins, Ailefroide, Les Bans...
Tête de la Maye is known too as a rock climbing site with long and various routes on very good granite slabs. Routes are protected with spits.
Routes overview - Hiking and rock climbing
Normal route Path mostly on south side : F
2h from La Bérarde.
The path to Tête de la Maye is starting on the right side of Etançons river, just before the road pass on the bridge at the village begining. The main path continues to Chatelleret hut. You have to take Tête de la Maye path on the left at the altitude of 1880m. Some parts of the path are steep or exposed over some rock bars.
Rock climbing routes on south side : about 250 or 350 Hm
Pain Grillé TD- V+
Li Maye Dülfer TD+, VIb
Pêcher Mignon ED- VIc
La Mare Maye TD+ VIb
L'abbé Hard TD- V+
Tu ris Maye ED- VIc
Maye friend TD VIb
Maye oh niaise ED- VIc
Cerisette ED- VIc
Pujolidal D V
Li Maye Maya TD VIa (20 belays)
Une Maye à l'endroit TD VIa
Maye en Pis TD- VIa+
Niponi Maye TD- VIa+
Le gay pied AD V
Getting There
by car (highly recommended)
Grenoble >> Bourg d'Oisans >> Saint Christophe >> Les Etages >> La bérarde >> (access for normal route and Rock climbing routes)
For those coming from oversea :
Fly to Lyon international airport. Car (recommended) or train to Grenoble, followed by bus to Bourg d'Oisans and smaller bus up the narrow road to Saint Christophe en Oisans and La Bérarde (3 per day in July/Aug Grenoble to La Bérarde) . Car highly recommended !
Red Tape
No Red Tape except Ecrins National Park rules (no dog, no camping, only bivouak allowed, no fire, no MTB, no destruction of wilderness)
Refer to
Ecrins National park rules.
When To Climb
Summer period is the prefered period for rock mountaineering in Ecrins Massif. Due to the low altitude, it's possible to climb until October, depending on the first snowfall.
Camping
CAMPING LES FETOULES
38520 ST-CHRISTOPHE-EN-OISANS
Tél : 04 76 80 23 99
Fax : 04 76 95 47 97
Email : rafting.veneon@wanadoo.fr
Site internet: www.rafting-veneon.com
CAMPING MUNICIPAL DE LA BERARDE
La Bérarde 38520 ST-CHRISTOPHE-EN-OISANS
Tél : 04 76 79 20 45
Fax : 04 7679 06 97
Email :
Site internet: www.berarde.com
Huts
Accomodations in La Bérarde:
Alpin Center CAF
Mountain Conditions
Briançon meteo forecast 7 days
Bourg d'Oisans meteo forecast 7 days
Grenoble meteo forecast 7 days
Rescue: La Bérarde: 0476 79 51 00 (PGHM)
Maps and books
Escalades à la Bérarde, Jean-Michel CAMBON - 1999
Guide du Haut Dauphiné, tome 1, ISBN 2 909 907 15 5.
Authors: GHM and François Labande
Editions de l'Envol
Map: IGN Top 25 3336ET