Lécheron mountain chalet

de fr

One of the first hikes to do when discovering the Champagny-le-Haut valley and a great way to pick up some cow's or goat's cheese for lunch. This hike can be extended to Froide Fontaine.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.34 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,008 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,008 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,844 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,836 ft
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Photos

Champagny en Vanoise hamlet of Le Bois
Champagny le Haut
Our encounter of the day
The climb to Lécheron

Description of the walk

Park at the start of the Chemin du Lécheron near a fountain on the road leading into the hamlet of Le Bois-Dessous.

(S/E) Take this path, passing between the houses. Leave Les Tronchets on your left and continue along the path which climbs north-west. Carry on straight ahead without taking the path on the left which leads to the chalet at a place called Les Teppes, then turn right. Join the junction with the Chemin du Lécheron.

(1) Turn left onto the path leading to the chalet, the highest point of this walk.

(2) Turn back to return to the previous junction.

(1) Continue left along a virtually flat path until you reach the Grande Rochette stream.

(3) Begin the descent and head for the junction of the discovery trail and the road linking the hamlets of Le Bois and Friburge.

(4) Continue to the right along the discovery trail to return to the fountain and the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,836 ft - Chemin du Lécheron (fountain)
  2. 1 : mi 0.62 - alt. 5,568 ft - Carrelour Lécheron
  3. 2 : mi 1.41 - alt. 6,844 ft - Le Lécheron
  4. 3 : mi 2.47 - alt. 5,463 ft - Start of the final descent
  5. 4 : mi 2.83 - alt. 4,908 ft - Signpost
  6. S/E : mi 3.34 - alt. 4,836 ft - Chemin du Lécheron (fountain)

Notes

No special equipment is required, unless you plan to go as far as Froide Fontaine. In this case, wear good walking boots as the path is steeper (marked with dots on the map).

Worth a visit

A nice way to round off the day: a visit to the mountain glacier interpretation centre, Espace Glacialis, located in the hamlet of Le Bois.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
01rando
01rando

What a wonderful idea to meet Noelle, who makes such delicious cheeses!
Luckily for her, she doesn't spend the winter up there, but we'll have to go back this summer, knowing that it's not a refuge.
I hope you discover and enjoy all the beautiful hikes available in the Champagny le Haut valley.

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WALHAIN
WALHAIN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

First of all, what a lovely surprise to discover Champagny Le Haut, a small village nestled in a beautiful, almost secret valley. The climb to the Lecheron chalet is difficult because it is steep from the start. The 600 m elevation gain offers little respite. But I did it on a beautiful November day that lived up to my expectations. The refuge was closed at this time of year. I was expecting to see chamois on the beautiful green slopes, but that will have to wait for another time. The directions provided by Visorando were accurate and useful for a hiker like me who was discovering this corner of the Vanoise.

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Pierrot1704
Pierrot1704

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Performed in good weather.
No particular difficulties
Magnificent scenery.
It's a shame there was no more Tomme de Savoie cheese at the chalet. Never mind, the walk was still enjoyable.

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Leroy
Leroy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We did the hike this summer in July 2023. The climb is quite steep, so set off early in the morning to avoid the heat. Noelle, aged 71, welcomes you to her chalet. Knock on her door and stop to buy her delicious Beaufort cheese and Tomme de Savoie. She's incredible, she's extraordinary. The signposting is very good.
Starting from Champagny, I also recommend the Col de Mio followed by the Pointe de la Vellière, with its exceptional scenery. Don't miss it if you're in the area, it's really worth the detour. Thank you, Visorando. Have a great summer.

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muse_88_
muse_88_

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
There are few hikers at this time of year, so Champagny-le-Haut is ideal for those seeking peace and quiet. However, the chalet is not yet open to buy cheese.
The trail is quite steep, with a 600-metre climb in two hours. Once you reach the top, the view is not that exceptional. However, there are ibexes in the area, so you have a good chance of seeing them at the chalet.

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Bernard dit Nano
Bernard dit Nano

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, beautiful views, but a 600-metre climb nonetheless.
However, the next section (cold fountain) is not suitable for everyone, especially children.
One section is a bit tricky, but it's not mountaineering.

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Farto
Farto

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, but there are much more beautiful ones in the area.

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titan92
titan92

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

600 m elevation gain in the mountain pastures, entrance to the valley, much more beautiful hikes in Champagny!

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piedsnickés
piedsnickés

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The Lècheron chalet was closed, but it was also a bit late in the season. It takes 3½ to 4 hours to reach the Froide Fontaine chalet, but be aware that the trail is a bit rough after Lècheron. We saw a beautiful solitary ibex. No mouflons.

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Edouard55
Edouard55
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good hiking boots are recommended. The trail is rocky and runs along the mountainside. Suitable for hikers accustomed to this type of terrain. It is best to start from the discovery trail, which crosses pastures.

For family hikes and views of the valley, I recommend starting from the Laisonnay car park and climbing up to La Glière via the farm track without leaving it. You're bound to encounter marmots. Continue towards the lake, the Doron de Prémou waterfall and then towards the Chalet du Plan de Sel. After the waterfall, the view of the valley and the glaciers is really worth the detour. It's up to each person to decide how far they want to go.

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Lolo730
Lolo730

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walk, but quite a climb!
Allow two hours for the climb (not for everyone! On the way down, we passed two people running up).
The mountain chalet wasn't open (does anyone know the opening hours?).
Too bad for the cheese.

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Gerard K
Gerard K

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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