Montagne summer hut in Chantelouve

Departure from the car park at the church and town hall.

(S/E) Head east, leaving the church on your left.

(1) Just before the bridge over the Malsanne, turn left onto Chemin du Bourg d'Oisans, which climbs up to the hamlet of Les Faures.

(2) Reach the D526 and follow it to the right. After a left-hand bend, at an information sign, take a path on the right and cross a stream.

(3) When the path turns left, continue straight ahead on a path that leads into the undergrowth (ignore a ford on the right over the Malsanne). Further on, take a sharp left turn with the path and climb up through a forest of larch, pine and spruce trees. Follow several hairpin bends. Ignore a path coming from the right and you will soon reach a fork.

(4) Turn right and walk along the mountainside.

(5) At the next intersection, turn right at the hairpin bend. Climb up a series of hairpin bends of varying tightness.

(6) At the exit, head south on the path that is visible at the start but then disappears into the scree (tricky passage). Climb over the scree to reach the pastures above. Continue on fairly flat ground through the pastures, following the occasional yellow markings, until you reach the Cabane de la Montagne.

(7) Go around to the left and begin the descent along the path that can be seen in the pastures. Pass close to the old shepherd's hut, also known as the green hut. Continue the descent and reach the track used to supply the shepherd, continue the descent and arrive at the Gros Fayard spring, which always flows, even in times of severe drought.

(8) Retrace your steps a few metres and take the previous forest track, which descends steeply. Pass in front of a buried hut, the Charmettes hut, and continue your descent, leaving the path that climbs to Lac du Vallon on your left. Reach the Malsanne River.

(9) There are two options here, depending on the river's flow:
- If the flow is too strong, retrace your steps a few metres and take the path that descends parallel to the river. After about 600 metres, a concrete ford allows you to cross the river safely. Note the steep, smooth walls on your left, which are covered with ice in harsh winters. Continue along the track, which descends into the forest.
If the flow is reasonable, as shown on the map, ford the river. Continue along the forest track, which starts off gently sloping but then becomes much steeper.

(10) Turn left (if you did not cross the river earlier, continue straight ahead). Continue downhill through the forest until you reach the timber storage platform, which also serves as a car park. Cross the platform and continue downhill along the forest track. Finally, follow the Malsanne river on your right and take the first bridge you come to.

(1) Continue straight ahead and you will quickly reach the starting car park (S/E).

The path between (6) and (7) is practically invisible and has been damaged by sheep, which may present a hazard. The trail deviates from the topographical route due to this deterioration of the original path.
You can refresh yourself at the Fontaine du Gros Fayard (water not tested).
There is a very precarious shelter at the Charmettes hut.
Do not attempt to ford the Malsanne River at the point (9) if the flow is too strong.
Do not disturb the flocks of sheep during the summer grazing season.