Carro – Fond des Fours

de fr

The magnificent balcony path takes you to the Col des Fours, under the curious gaze of chamois and marmots, as far as the Pont de la Neige (2,518 m), where you’ll find signs of civilisation as you cross the famous Col de l’Iseran road. As soon as you’ve crossed it, you’ll leave it behind as you head for the Col des Fours (2,976 m). Descend through the valley of the same name to reach the Col du Fond-des-Fours (2,537 m).

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour of the Alpes Grées

Details

n°3882065
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.53 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,474 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,212 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,760 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 8,104 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Fond des Fours mountain hut
Vallon des Fours
Col des Fours
Lac du Grand Fond

Description of the walk

(S) From the Refuge du Carro, head towards the Pont de l’Oulietta by following theGRP® ‘Tour de la Haute Maurienne’ trail, marked in red and yellow, until you reach the crossroads.

(1) Turn right onto the long, balcony-like path. Cross several streams before reaching Lac du Pys.

(2) Continue along the balcony path to reach Plan des Eaux.

(3) Stay on the same path; after a descent, you’ll reach the Pont de l’Oullietta on the road to the Col de l’Iseran.

(4) Turn right and follow the road uphill towards the Col de l’Iseran. Pass through the tunnel (take care), cross the Pont de la Neige, and 30 metres further on you’ll reach the junction with theGR®5alternative route.

(5) Turn left onto this path; a sign points towards the Col des Fours. Follow the red and white markings, overlooking the glacial lake below the pass. You will then emerge at the Col des Fours.

(6) Begin the descent from the pass heading due west, crossing the Vallon des Fours. When you reach a junction of paths, stay on theGR® to the right to reach the Refuge du Fond des Fours (E), today’s destination.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 9,055 ft - Refuge du Carro
  2. 1 : mi 0.56 - alt. 8,848 ft - GRP junction
  3. 2 : mi 2.6 - alt. 8,737 ft - Lac du Pys
  4. 3 : mi 4.7 - alt. 8,802 ft - Plan des Eaux
  5. 4 : mi 6.78 - alt. 8,107 ft - Oulietta Bridge
  6. 5 : mi 7.82 - alt. 8,314 ft - Junction with the GR5 alternative route
  7. 6 : mi 9.39 - alt. 9,760 ft - Col des Fours (2976m)
  8. E : mi 10.53 - alt. 8,323 ft - Refuge du Fond des Fours

Notes

(3) Plan des Eaux: an ideal spot to take a break and admire the Ouille du Midi.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
Andeor
Andeor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

An easy route to follow, with no difficulties other than the length of the stage. The start along the balcony trail is very pleasant, but then the return to civilisation (noisy roads below + lots and lots and LOTS of people, no doubt because the route is easily accessible by car) is a bit of a slog.

The stretch along the tarmac road between the Oulietta Bridge and the Neige Bridge is a nightmare, a real leg-burner (not to mention the cars, motorbikes and bikes that overtake you, nearly cutting you off). I regret not having tried to head down onto the GR5 from the Oulietta Bridge, despite the fact that it adds a bit of elevation gain.

No Patou dogs, just herds of unguarded cows (and hordes of trail runners who nearly trample you and shout at you because you’re slowing them down on their descent).

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Carro Mountain Hut – L’Écot via Lac du Pys

Visorando Member
Refuge du Carro - L'Écot par le Lac du Pys
↔5.85 mi ↗+568 ft ↘-2,956 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
Unmarked alternative route to descend from the Refuge du Carro via Lac du Pys.

Walking From the Refuge du Carro to the Refuge du Fond des Fours

Visorando Member
Du Refuge du Carro au Refuge du Fond des Fours
↔11.19 mi ↗+2,782 ft ↘-3,530 ft ◔7h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
A stunning start, almost entirely on level ground along the balcony path, offering a constant panorama of the peaks and mountain ranges (Pointes de la Levanna, 3,619m), the Glacier des Sources de l’Arc, the Glacier du Grand Méan, the Cirque des Évettes, Pointe de l’Albaron (3,637m) and the Glacier du Vallonnet.At the end of the day, the Pointe des Fours (3,072 m) offers a 360° view and, in clear weather, you can see Mont Blanc.

Walking The walk around Lake Serru

Visorando Member
↔2.55 mi ↗+390 ft ↘-394 ft ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Ceresole Reale (Torino)
An easy walk around the artificial lake of Serru.

Walking Colle del Carro

Visorando Member
↔10.06 mi ↗+3,652 ft ↘-3,665 ft ◔7h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
The Refuge du Carro is already a lovely destination, but when you reach this first goal at the end of the morning and after seeing the panorama, there are various possibilities for a little extra treat. Why not the Col du Carro or Colle del Carro, as you can read on site? The hundreds of cairns that dot the terrain are sure to catch your eye, as will the view of the Italian side.

Walking Western Levanna

Visorando Member
↔11.31 mi ↗+5,128 ft ↘-5,115 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
A physically demanding hike requiring a good sense of direction, with a need to carefully follow the cairns and the path leading to the French-Italian border on the Levanna Occidentale, accessible from the retreat of the Derrière les Lacs glacier. Suitable only for experienced hikers; part of the route is off-trail between the Col des Patriotes and the summit.

Walking Cirque des Évettes circular loop from L’Écot

Visorando Member
Cirque des Évettes en boucle depuis l'Écot
↔8.38 mi ↗+2,274 ft ↘-2,254 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
A magnificent hike to the heart of the Cirque des Évettes. Starting from the hamlet of L’Écot, the route climbs alongside the Gorges de la Reculaz to reach the Cirque des Évettes. Highlights: Reculaz Waterfall, Roman bridge, glacial lake, Évettes Glacier, Évettes Refuge and Col des Évettes. The descent follows an easy path.

Walking Refuge des Evettes

Visorando Member
Refuge des Evettes
↔7.92 mi ↗+2,352 ft ↘-2,336 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
A beautiful hike that leads to the foot of the Evettes glacier. The climb through the Gorges de la Reculaz allows you to make a loop and discover the Roman bridge.

Walking Grand Méan glacial lake

Visorando Member
Lac glaciaire du Grand Méan
↔8.76 mi ↗+3,238 ft ↘-3,235 ft ◔6h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
A hike in the Cirque des Évettes, with the Grand Méan glacial lake at the foot of the glacier of the same name in your sights. At an altitude of 2,876 metres, the lake and glacier offer a fantastic view of a well-hidden glacial cirque. A real treat!

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.